Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Thank you to the 20,000 staff who have already completed the NHS Wales Staff Survey 2018. We know that many of you are really busy and may not have been able to so far. To help you we have added an extra two weeks in which to give us your opinion and #tellithowitis.
The survey will now close at 00:00 on Sunday 5th August 2018.
Some of you have told us that the notion of entering your payroll number as a password has made you feel uncomfortable.
... The survey is and always has been entirely confidential. None of the responses you enter can or would be shared with your employer in a way which could identify you. The responses need to identify where people work, in terms of departments, teams and job titles in order to give our organisations the information they need to influence the changes we have told them we want to see. Without the ability to sort the data in some way, it is too big to be useable locally.
Why is it important to take the time to complete the survey?
The Welsh Partnership Forum have commissioned this survey because they know that understanding staff opinion is critically important to steering the NHS’s transformational agenda. Ultimately, your feedback is genuinely valued. These results will be used to track Aneurin Bevan University health Board, and NHS Wales’, progress in distinct areas that we consistently ask you to comment on. We’re listening and the survey results will have an influence on local and national changes that will affect you in the future. So, with all that in mind, here is the link you require, I ask you to set aside 10 minutes to complete the NHS Wales 2018 Staff Survey and #Tellitlikeitis
www.myonlinesurvey.co.uk/ws18
If you have any questions or concerns please contact your local Staff Survey team or the Quality Health helpline on 0800 783 1775
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TOMORROW is the 3rd session of the ‘Steps to Wellbeing’ course on ‘Getting on better with others’ in CAERPHILLY.
Come along at 11:00 – 12:30pm to Caerphilly Library, The Twyn, CF83 1JL
This is a FREE course, no need to book, just come along!
... These sessions are open to everyone, and will be in easy read format for those with learning disabilities, additional learning needs and low literacy or numeracy. For more information have a look on the Support Plus website http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/pag e/86865
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#askyourpharmacist #ChooseWell #ChoosePharmacy #ClinicalFutures #NHSWales

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board...

This week is the 3rd session of the ‘Steps to Wellbeing’ course on ‘Getting on better with others’.
Come along on Thursday, 11:00am – 12:30pm, Caerphilly Library, The Twyn, CF83 1JL
This is a FREE course, no need to book, just come along!
... These sessions are open to everyone, and will be in easy read format for those with learning disabilities, additional learning needs and low literacy or numeracy. For more information have a look on the Support Plus pages on our website http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/pag e/86865
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Who will you nominate in this year's Patient Choice Award? #TheNyes

On Friday 20th July the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service are planning a celebration to mark 70 years of the NHS. The day will be a celebration event aimed at all Health Board staff, families and outside professionals so that we can share some of the great work that is going on within the CAMHS service #CAMHS70

Such a lovely gesture to mark the 70th Birthday of the NHS! This card has been given to Dr Dale, one of our Consultant Paediatricians, by a grateful patient.

Dewis Centre for Independent Living has a new peer support group running at Caerphilly Library.
When: Last Thursday of the month, 10:30 – 12:30pm Where: Caerphilly library
... Come along chat, make new friends and learn new things. Just turn up.
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Tonight we celebrated the 1st birthday of our Pregnancy yoga class at the Royal Gwent Hospital. Midwife and yoga teacher Becky was joined by a whole host of mums, bumps and babies. Along with the pregnant mums waiting to meet their little ones we also had the first born yoga baby who is now nearly 11 months and one of the youngest who is just a few days old!

Porters Steve, Rob and JP get to meet people everyday and that's why they love their jobs in the NHS #NHS70 #NHSCYmru70

The National Theatre of Wales are putting on a production 'For All I Care' A Love Letter to the NHS to celebrate the NHS at 70 in Tredegar tonight at 8pm till Saturday night. The piece they are bringing is called For All I Care and is a new play written by Alan Harris. Set in Tredegar, it's a one woman show which tells the story of how two very different women's paths collide. It's very funny, but also touching as it explores topics such as mental health, family relationships... and grieving.
All NHS staff can buy tickets at the special rate of £10 (a saving of £5), which is the theatre's way of saying thank you to all the brilliant staff. The £10 ticket also applies to anyone living locally to Tredegar, all people need to do is quote their postcode on the door.
More info on the show here https://www.nationaltheatrewales.org/…/ nhs70-for-all-i-care/
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Our Physiotherapy staff are 'one big team' #NHS70 #NHSCymru70

Although we are celebrating NHS 70 at the moment, it's also important to look to the future.
This animated video explains our vision for the future of healthcare in Gwent and outlines some important changes you need to know about...

'A Great British Institution' says Kath Wilson, Maternity Secretary at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr #NHS70 #NHSCymru70

When staff become patients and patients become staff #NHS70 #NHSCymru70

Tomorrow is the 2nd session of our ‘Steps to Wellbeing’ course about ‘feeling good about yourself’.
Come along to Caerphilly Library at 11 – 12:30pm. This is a FREE session, no need to book.
... This session is open to everyone, and will be in easy read format for those with learning disabilities, additional learning needs and low literacy or numeracy. For more information have a look on the Support Plus pages of our website: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/pag e/86865
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Staff may have missed this news during the NHS70 celebrations last week...

Here is a blog by Dr James Williams, a consultant in our Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. The blog outlines why you need to watch fascinating documentary ‘Critical: Inside Intensive Care’ tonight at 9pm on BBC1 Wales…
“Those of us who work in critical care are privileged to be part of people’s lives when they are at their most vulnerable. We share in the highs and lows as we fight with them and their families to overcome the severest illnesses. Few ...people understand what happens within critical care, but this documentary we’ve been involved with reveals what really goes on.
Over a two-month period the film crew was given access to the intensive care unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital. Following the stories of the patients admitted, it shows what happens, from diagnosing disease, to how we make treatment decisions, and how we support patients and their families though these difficult times.
For the staff having a crew in the unit wasn’t really a distraction. But what struck us most was how willing families were to share their stories so that others can know what they were going though. It’s these families and their stories that make ‘Critical’ such an amazing insight.
Not everyone survives critical illness. Part of our job is supporting families when it becomes clear their loved ones won’t survive. This is the hardest part of our job, but we hope doing so in a caring and dignified way helps them through these difficult times.
This year is the 70th anniversary of the NHS. For me, the NHS isn’t just free care at the point of delivery, but it’s the spirit all the staff who work together. Nowhere portrays that more than the Critical Care Unit, and the team made up of so many dedicated staff. This programme shows what they do when you need them most.”
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Wonderful concept! I Proud of my routes born in Tredegar . Growing up I suffered with chronic asthma thanks to the dedicated doctors and nurses and research into medication I live a happy healthy life . We must try to look after are own health as best we can with the help from the NHS. Care for the NHS as it cares for us. Happy birthday #NHS70.

Tonight i had a full Spinal MRI at YYF i have to say the staff made me feel at ease and done their upmost to make me comfortable esp as i was worried that i may have felt claustrophobic during the scan.



I realise its the thought of being enclosed is the problem.

I had music played in the background to help distraction from the noise which is a great idea.

Yet i must admit it was a lot noiser than i thought it would be.



Thankyou to the staff for their understanding and kindness.

Sara Prendergast and Sarah Meyrick looked after my 8 year old son Charley after a nasty broken arm and wrist.. the attention and care they showed towards him and us as parents makes me proud to have this great facility on our doorstep THANK YOU!!! �

Our beloved NHS is 70, we don't often see the truly positive side, I work myself at Nevill Hall and see how the service is run from operational point of view, the last 48hrs I have witness how a first class and yes without doubt nothing on this planet compares service runs on the front line.



We all hear how much this huge machine costs, but when we need the NHS at our lowest points in life, it swings into action, doesn't matter if your the richest or poorest, you receive the best and same care.



My partner needed this vital life line in past 48hrs and just wanna say thank you and its going to be a long list, as the news doesn't not truly represent how my cogs in this machine, keeps it all ticking away.



So here we go, to start a massive thank you to the 999 call handlers who remained calm while help was dispatched, ambulance first responders, paramedics (2 teams), A&E Nevill hall, majors staff, the doctors, the nurses in navy, hospital blue, nursing auxiliary in green, porters, administration staff, even the site manager (Martin hope I spelt it right?) in royal blue who just took on the role of porter to take my partner to eau.



Whilst in eau a new team of doctors and nurses from all colour chart as above in addition the ward clerk, domestic staff, xray staff, pharmacy, pathology, catering staff, medical records all vital cogs, that without one them the machine would not run so effectively.



70 years old, but simply the best.



Truly thank you Richard Randell xx

My two year old daughter had to go to A &E in Nevill Hall on Boxing Day after breaking her leg. The staff were fab throughout from the staff in A &E to the staff in X Ray to the nurses on the Childrens Ward where we were admitted.

Theresa one of the HCSW's on A&E was amazing and I wanted to say thank you to her especially.

I am a registered nurse in mental health within ABUHB and whilst I know how difficult it can be, the staff in A&E particularly deserve a shout out so thank you to you all at what was a very difficult and traumatic time for my daughter, my partner and myself. Xxx

My mum was brought into resus at RGH from the dialysis unit with sepsis and an allergic reaction to the antibiotic she was given

She later spent one night on C5E before being transferred to UHW,

all the staff were great despite being very busy

Have to say thanks to the radiographers who performed a portable chest X-ray because we never get a mention!

Thanks everyone for all your help

My husband had a heart attack and stroke whilst on holiday in Lanzarote at Christmas, once the hospital in Lanzarote had stabilised him enough to bring him home he was admitted to 1/2 Gilwern Ward in Neville Hospital and from the moment he was admitted the care he recieved was exemplary, the nursing staff were wonderful. He was in hospital for 11weeks.



Since being discharged on the 28th Feb, he has been in the care of district nurses, OT's and two amazingly wonderful ladies, Belinda Neurophysio and Emma her assistant who have progressed my husband well. They are hard working, kind, and thoughtful to the whole family and we laugh everyday they are here.



Our life has been so different since his stroke, but because of those two lovely ladies there is a light at the end of a very long tunnel.



Thank you so very much, you will always be in our hearts.

Massive thank you to the staff at A&E RGH. One of my relatives was bitten by a dog tonight and left with nasty arm wounds.

The nurse in particular we would like to extend a massive thank you to is a man named Reddin in Minors. I believe he is the emergency practitioner.

Reddin stayed behing after his shift had finished to dress the wounds, administer medication and vaccinate. He was meticulous and knowledgeable with a pleasant, friendly manner. He is a credit to ABUHB!

Please pass this feedback on to Reddin and his manger.

Thank you all again for a wonderful service �

Just wanted to say a massive thank you to all the staff in A&E and on Ward 3/3 at Nevill Hall Hospital for looking after me when I suddenly became very poorly on the evening of 13th February 2018. A big shout out to Nurse called Claire in A&E who had a student nurse called Jack with her, you were fantastic keeping me and my husband calm and up to date with everything going on and not forgetting the receptionist who made sure I was seen very quickly. Now a big big thank you to all the nurses and NA’s on Ward 3/3 you were amazing but a big shout out to nurses Hannah and Karen who kept me calm during my stay and a big thank you to my Consultant Mr Delicata and the pain nurse whose name I can’t remember, you were both angel s and always put me first to make sure I wasn’t in any pain. Once again thank you from me and my family you’re a credit to your profession and the NHS xxx

I would like to say a huge thank you to your staff in YYF. If it wasn’t for their quick thinking and care two days ago my grandmother would have died. She attended your A&E service late Saturday night as she had suffered from what seemed like a stomach bug and heart burn all day to the point she couldn’t move. She was triaged and send into the waiting room to wait where minutes later she suffered with a massive heart attack and had a cardiac arrest on the floor. Your staff was very quick and resuscitated and gave my grandmother CPR 3 times to bring her back. My grandmother is the rock of the family and so I thank you and your staff for saving her, we couldn’t be without her! She’s recovering well and she understands she’s very lucky to be alive thanks to you all xx

I just wanted to say in these times of trouble and excessive demands on the emergency services. I would just like to commend the accident and emergency unit at RGH for my treatment. I came in on the 10th December and was assessed and diagnosed with a broken foot within 2 hours and discharged. What a wonderful NHS we have and I for one could not think of anything worse than losing this service. I would have waited more hours if needed as I respect and love this free access to healthcare that we all have. Well done all.x i am truly appreciative.x

I had my son at The Gwent just under a fortnight ago - delivered by the famous Wendy! The care I had - before, during & after - was exceptional. Even down to the cleanliness of the wards ... it was all fantastic. Thank you so much.

Hope this is ok to post, but I'd like to say a big thankyou to the Nurses, Doctors and consultants, who worked so hard on my sister Mandy Moss keeping her alive on Tuesday, as we were sat in the family room a young lad was bought in from a car accident the Nurses, doctors were amazing going between the resus rooms, they were so busy, now I clearly understand while we are waiting in A+E with a bad finger or something trivial and moaning about the 4hr wait we should look at the bigger picture, these doctors nurses are not on coffee break ( as I heard someone say ) they are working really hard to save lives, so a big thankyou to all our NHS who really do deserve a break, Thankyou

Hi just want to say a big thank you to all the community nurses and care staff that despite this bad weather have had to go out and look after their patients.

My wife is one of these and has had to trek around her area in risca for both morning and evening calls.

She hasn't moaned or complained and I say is walking 6 or 7 miles daily and she is working this weekend so has to do it all again tomorrow.

Once again big thank you to all the trust staff for going above and beyond when you have to

A week ago we welcomed our beautiful daughter to the world. Things didn't exactly go to plan and took a scary turn but I'm here to say a huge heart felt thank you to every single staff member who helped us and took the most amazing care of us. Everyone I met in theatre, High Dependent Unit, Anaesthetics, Post Op, B4 and B5 were phenomenal and I'll never forget you for it. Special thanks to Ed, Ms Goddard, Dr Panda, Cerys, John, Maria, Chelsea, Yve, Nicola, Louisa, Chris, Ilene and everyone else who helped us recover. You're all angels �

My Brother took my Mum into A&E at RGH on Sunday night 4/3/18 at 21.30 with excruciating back pain- Mum is 82, I arrived at 7.30am Monday morning to take over, Mum had xray's blood tests and Hugh amount of pain relief thought the night, Mum remained in a wheel chair until 15.00, and was then moved to a cubicle and transferred to a trolley bed, through the day Mum suffered severe bought s of pain and I kept asking the Nurse's for pain relief, sometimes it would take an hour before the medication arrived, now please don't see this as a criticism to the Nursing Staff to the contrary, i want to highlight the extreme circumstances Nurse's have to deal with, Yes Mum was in pain- I was helpless- but all the while watching the Nurses in their endeavour to care for their patience,they did everything they possible could, but due to the amount of people they were looking after, they just couldn't cope, I felt so sorry for the Nurses, they never stopped, but there wasn't enough for them to cope with the amount of patients, and to add to this the lack of beds in which to transfer patients - My Mum being one of them Mum was eventually transferred to the Ward that evening after almost twenty four hours in AE

Mum spent three days on the ward and is now thankfully home. I would like to like to say a massive thanks to all the Nurses in AE majors & the staff of D2 East who cared for a Mum during her stay. The conditions you work in is unbelievable but you just carry on,I'm in aw of you all , thank you so much for your care & dedication. Xx

Big shout out and massive thanks for the care I was given under urology ... Not only my consultant surgeon Mr Jabbar took extra care of me and is so reassuring .... He has been amazing.... As have all the nurses & aftercare team.... All Dr's nurses on D5 West.... I can't thank you enough.... Your amazing!!!!!.... I hate the patients who think the nurses are their slaves & moan about the NHS.... Your doing a great job & you should all be recognised more for it xx

My experience is listed below where it took 5 hours for my Dad to be seen by a doctor in the emergency assessment unit. He needed an x-ray at 10pm and we were told to wait for a porter. After 30 mins I spoke with the doctor and asked why the delay, he didn't know other than its busy. So i offered to take dad to x-ray which they agreed.

I took him by wheelchair. X-ray was empty so we were seen immediately.

We returned to the emergency assesment ward , and I told the others in the waiting room and there were 4 other patients also waiting for x-rays, (up to an hour) so they did the same and relatives took them to x-ray.

My point is..... stop accepting mediocrity. I understand how busy you are, but there are ways to improve things and speed it up. Relatives feel fairly useless when taking someone to hospital so get them involved where possible. Why didn't someone say ..... A porter is on his way but we are short staffed. If you can take your dad down to x-ray it will speed things up.

My action probably saved me another hour or so.

Please note, this is not a criticism of the skills of the nurses and doctors, the quality of care when we were eventually seen was excellent, but you're so used to it taking 6 hours per person - you've accepted it.

Over the last 18 months I know 3 family members who were scheduled for minor day operations all of which have been cancelled multiple times. Doing a quick show of hands survey whilst at the Gwent suggests this happens more often than not. It's just not good enough! Caused by overbooking surgery slots and messing with people don't forget some people have a fear of hospitals and have to reshedule plans and have to think of their employment and to put people through this on a what seems regular and normal basis is a shock. This issue could easily be reduced by not overbooking I'm sure most people would rather be on a waiting list for longer than be messed about 3 times. This post is in relation to the Gwent not sure how this issue is at other hospitals