Flu can be life threatening for people with certain health conditions. That’s why Public health experts in Wales are encouraging those who are clinically at risk to ensure they get vaccinated against the flu as well as COVID-19 this autumn. It will help protect them from getting secondary infections.

Cancer incidence in Wales is showing signs of recovery to pre-pandemic levels of detection, with notable improvements in the detection rates for bowel and female breast cancers between 2020 and 2021. 

Launching today (25^th September 2024), Public Health Wales has published a new Primary Care Clusters Dashboard, which includes a range of indicators about the 64 primary care clusters in Wales, to help them to plan and inform their priorities and address any inequalities within their clusters. 

New analysis from Public Health Wales shows that were an average of 3,845 deaths in Wales in 2022 were due to smoking in Wales every year between 2020 and 2022: more than one in ten of all deaths amongst those over 35.  

As the start of the new academic year rapidly approaches, Public Health Wales strongly encourages both new and returning university students to ensure they are up to date with all their childhood vaccinations.

In the Spotlight this month is Dr Jomol Joseph. Jomol is a Clinical Fellow in Medicine at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. 

On Tuesday 1^st October we celebrated ‘International Day of Older People’; a global campaign endorsed by the United Nations to raise awareness of the valuable societal contribution older people make.

There can be no greater gift than the gift of life through organ donation and when a loved one is unwell, you can feel helpless. Over a period of 30 years, both Mary and Oliver Hando had the opportunity to donate one of their kidneys and save their son and father’s life twice.

Did you know, approximately 55% of patients with cancer do not present with a ‘red flag’ however often experience vague symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, unexplained abdomen or back pain, nausea, shortness of breath and/or unexpected abnormal blood test results.

World Pharmacist Day is celebrated every year on 25 September and this year’s theme is ‘meeting global healthcare needs’. There are many pharmacist roles across the Health Board and their expertise helps optimise medication use, prevent harmful drug interactions and improve patient outcomes — supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities.  

Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist Caroline Trezise has won a national award for her ‘outstanding’ work with bowel cancer patients. 

A young man who was admitted to hospital with severe flu symptoms last Christmas has urged all eligible people to get vaccinated against it.

Today (20^th September 2024) is Red4Research Day 2024, a day dedicated to everyone partaking, undertaking and supporting research. Research is pivotal to help us learn more about health and wellbeing and provide new treatments, vaccines, diagnosis and care to improve quality of life at present and for generations to come.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Velindre University NHS Trust are proud sponsor a new clinical trial and be one of 40 sites across the UK investigating the efficacy of Pressurised IntraPeritoneal Aerosolised Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in the management of cancers of the colon, ovary and stomach.

The 20^th Septembers marked #Red4Research – a day dedicated to uniting all those who participate, support and undertake research. When someone is diagnosed with a disease or health condition, their treatment care and support will be shaped by research. By taking part in research, you can contribute to life changing support for those in need.

Throughout the month of September colleagues from across Cardiff and Vale University Health have been coordinating various events and forums to actively promote how advanced technology and assisted learning is supporting clinicians in making swift, accurate and safe diagnosis within clinical practice across all levels of healthcare.

More than a quarter of a billion pounds of Welsh Government investment has helped older people be cared for in their own homes and avoided thousands of unnecessary hospital stays.

To mark International Day of Older People, the Welsh Government is celebrating the vital role older volunteers play in building stronger, more connected communities, and helping other older people.

A new way of treating people with broken bones has now been rolled out in health boards across Wales, Health and Social Care Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Miles has announced.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy has stressed the importance of access to mental health support to help care experienced young people “succeed in life”.