Rural Health Week » Events
Delivering the oxygen of rural health services
Richard Calvert is back on the road to recovery – in his VW van – thanks to the support of the Oxygen Service.
The 62-year-old former miner and HGV driver has a serious chest condition – COPD – which means he needs additional oxygen through-out the day.
Two years ago, he admits his condition, which limits air getting in and out of the lungs, was putting restrictions on the way he wanted to live his life and causing him to feel depressed.
“Over time my condition worsened and looking back it had a profound impact on my life,” he said. “Some days I lay in bed and thought ‘what’s the point in getting up’?”
Hundreds of Ceredigion patients, who use oxygen treatment for long-term health conditions, have benefited from a new rural service during the past year.
Across Wales, health schemes such as the Ceredigion Oxygen Service are being celebrated as part of Rural Health Week (19th-25th September).
Launched by Hywel Dda Health Board last year, the service provides specialist support for people with a range of conditions - from the chest condition COPD to heart failure - within their own homes and communities. This has improved patient empowerment and education over their oxygen use, as well as their overall health and well-being.
By ensuring prescriptions are regularly updated with oxygen flow rates at the right level, the service has also saved the Health Board almost £41,000 a year, which can be ploughed back into frontline services.
Specialist nurse Gaynor Jones explained: “We have been able to fully assess patients and provide on-going specialist support, which was not previously available. All this is delivered within a patients own community, often within their own home, ensuring they are comfortable and allowing us to really understand their perception of their condition and their oxygen use. It also enables us to consider a whole array of patient circumstance, for example the home environment, and whether there are any other unmet needs.”
Executive Director for Therapies and Health Sciences Kathryn Davies said: “Our aim is to provide as much care as possible within a patient’s own community, and often within their own home, ensuring that hospitals are only used when absolutely necessary. This reflects the Welsh Government’s Rural Health Plan, as well as our own pledge that in three years time we will increase by 20,00 a year the number of people treated in a community setting that would previously been treated in hospital.”
Rural Health Week, organised by the Institute of Rural Health (IRH), aims to celebrate the successes, as well as to raise awareness of the challenges, involved in delivering health and social services to dispersed rural communities.
Countryside Council for Wales
22nd September 2011
During Rural Health Week a National Forum focusing on Health and the Outdoors will be meeting. The Wales Outdoor Health forum (WOHF) is managed by the Countryside Council for Wales will act as a connective gateway for health, wellbeing and environment. Part of this group’s function will be to help fulfil targets set out within the ‘Creating an Active Wales’ action plan for Physical Activity in Wales. WOHF will aim to be representative of the natural environment as a wider determinant of health focussing on the interests of Wales. The group is currently made up of representatives from organisations across the environment sector, Public Health Wales and Welsh Government.
Free Electric Blanket Testing
23rd September 2011
The Mid and West Wales Fire Service will be carrying out safety checks on electric blankets at 16 locations across Powys this autumn. The service begins in Rural Health Week on 23rd September in Presteigne Memorial Hall.
The service is free to all Powys residents. The public are encouraged to bring all of their blankets to the nearest testing centre. One free replacement blanket will be given to anyone whose blanket fails the test. This offer is limited to one blanket per property while stocks last.
Community Safety Manager Tim Williams said “Not only does the test check that the blanket is safe to put on the bed from a fire safety point of view, it also tests that there is no risk of electric shock from the blanket”. All blankets which fail the test will be destroyed by having the lead and control unit removed.
Everyone attending the testing event will also be offered a Free Home Fire Safety Check’. The check includes installing free smoke alarms with 10 year batteries where necessary as well as giving advice on how to prevent a fire starting and how to make an escape plan.
The Fire Service are partners in the Rural Support Wales initiative and at the testing sites the Rural Support Wales information will be available.
Staffordshire Care Farming Cooperative
22nd September 2011
Staffordshire Care Farming Cooperative is hosting an event for professionals, working in social care, health or a related discipline to showcase the benefits of Care Farming for a range of individuals who require inspirational recovery led day opportunities. To be held at Willows Farm, Dove Walk, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 8EJ
A local Staffordshire commissioner says: - “Care Farming is an inspirational and enjoyable activity which improves lives, raises aspirations and builds confidence for individuals with all sorts of disabilities and health challenges. Staffordshire County Council sees the success of Care Farming and the greater use of direct payments as crucial to people maintaining control over their lives with more choice and greater independence.” County Cllr Matthew Ellis, Adults and Wellbeing
Open Day at Woodside Rural Care Farm in Cambridgeshire
23rd September 2011
Open Day at Woodside Rural Care Farm in Cambridgeshire hosting their special client group and project - Operation Warriors Return providing opportunities for Veterans & Servicemen.
Rural Health Week - Jig-So Children's Centre
Sunday 18th September to Saturday 24th September 2011
- Download the flyer (PDF)
Annual Primary Care Conference
21st - 23rd September 2011
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Rural Health Innovation - Sharing and adopting the learning
Tuesday 20th September 2011
A major conference to be held at Gregynog to disseminate the findings of the Rural Health Innovation Fund. More details will be available shortly.
- Download the flyer (PDF)