News

Women's health topics can often feel awkward or difficult to talk about, so we'll be shining a spotlight on these subjects next month.

Are there any particular themes you'd like us to cover?

The Walled Garden was a hive of industry in the run up to Christmas as volunteers got crafting to generate funds from pop up craft stalls and wreath-making workshops.

The Health Board's Mass Vaccination Booking Centre (0300 3031373) will close at 5pm today (Friday 18th February 2022).

A red weather warning has been issued for the Health Board area from 7am tomorrow (Friday 18th February), which means there is a potential danger to life. We are advising that people do not travel unless absolutely necessary.

Our area has been issued a red weather warning due to storm Eunice. We will not be running our Covid-19 Vaccination Centres on Friday 18^th February

Please note that due to the Red Weather Warning in place we will not be operating our mobile testing units on Friday 18th February 2022.

Today, on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we're celebrating some of our amazing colleagues.

Meet the team of female scientists at the Royal Gwent Hospital, and learn more about their roles and why they love the parts they play in science and in patient care..

This week, we’re supporting Children's Mental Health Week.

The Royal Gwent in Newport is the first hospital in Wales to become a #LitterFreeZone in a new initiative by Keep Wales Tidy.

On Wednesday 26th January 2022, a number of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board staff, along with members of the local Biffa depot, volunteered to spend 10 minutes of their lunch break litter picking around the Royal Gwent Hospital site.

On Tuesday 15^th February, from 4-5pm, we are holding our first ever engagement session for parents and guardians to speak to our Recovery from COVID-19 Paediatric team.

We’re delighted that nearly £11 million is being invested in a breast cancer ‘centre of excellence’ at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, which will allow us to improve patient care, experiences and outcomes.

The following notice has been received by the Health Board to advise you of overnight closures of the A465 Brynmawr to Glanbaiden from Monday 7th February 20:30 - 06:00 each night in both directions.

Today, we're celebrating Dydd Miwsig Cymru / Welsh Language Music Day.

Did you know that music can be used as therapy?

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board are pleased to be launching the SignLive service, to support our Deaf and BSL users to access our services.

Patients at The Grange University Hospital's Children's Ward had fun in the Sensory Garden this morning, with a special visit from Mistar Urdd- Urdd Gobaith Cymru's well-known mascot!

Please see the following Welsh Government announcement issued today advising that people who test positive for Covid-19 will be able to leave self-isolation after five full days if they have two negative lateral flow tests.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen hapus/ Happy St Dwynwen's Day!

In aid of today's Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers Day, we received some amazing messages of love and support from pupils at Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd, a local Welsh-medium Primary School in Newport.

As they celebrate their love for their local NHS, some of the school's year groups have produced their own drawings, pictures, video messages and signs for our staff (pictured below).

The following walk-in vaccination sessions will be operating for the week commencing Monday 24th January 2022.

Public Health Wales, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Caerphilly County Borough Council are investigating a single case of tuberculosis (TB) in an individual associated with Blackwood Comprehensive School.

Since September 20^th 2021  the Health Board has administered 348,319 Boosters to its local residents.

If you smoke and are visiting one of our hospitals, please remember…

It's Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and it's important to know which signs and symptoms of Cervical Cancer to look out for.

In-line with the JCVI Covid-19 vaccination advice for Children and Young People, children aged 5 to 11 who are household contacts of immunosuppressed residents will be offered a primary course of Covid-19 vaccination.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board appreciates how important it is for patients and their loved ones to see each other whilst they are receiving care in hospital.

The Health Board's Referral and Booking Centre is receiving an extremely high number of calls today (Thursday 13th January) which means callers may be waiting longer than usual for their call to be answered.

Staff and the public are invited to attend a free virtual webinar titled ‘Dementia and the Welsh Language’ on the 25^th of January at 12:00pm until 14:00pm. This webinar from the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research discusses the impact of dementia and the Welsh language.

Help us to help you this winter urges Health Minister Eluned Morgan as more funding to relieve pressures and help the NHS and social care this winter is announced.

The positions of Chair, Deputy Chair and six Non-Executive Members for the Citizen Voice Body have been advertised at the following link:

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board appreciates how important it is for patients and their loved ones to see each other whilst they are receiving care in hospital. We need to carefully balance this with the risk to patients, family members and staff that visiting brings whilst Covid is so rife in the community.

Due to the increasing challenges faced as a result of the new Omicron variant and in order to protect the safety of patients and staff, the Health Board will now be operating essential-only visiting from Monday 10th January 2022.

Please note that from 4 January until 1 July 2022, a section of road will be closed near our vaccination centre at General Offices in Ebbw Vale.

The town’s 200 year old Big Arch is undergoing restoration, therefore a section of Steel Works Road (B4485) that passes under the bridge will be closed, both ways, from Lime Avenue to Ebbw Vale Football Club.

Lateral flow tests can be used to check for COVID-19 by anyone who does not have symptoms. The tests are free and can be collected from most pharmacies or a local collection point.

You can also order online for home delivery. You can order 1 home testing kit (7 tests) at a time. Delivery takes 1 to 2 days.

With around 63% of the UK adult population classed as being overweight, the start of the New Year is a time when individuals have good intentions to change to a healthier way of eating. However, this is also a peak time for when social media and celebrities try to influence people to follow the latest diet trend.

Christmas is a time for families to be together, and so we completely appreciate how important it is for families to be able to speak with their loved ones who are patients in our Emergency Department on Christmas Day.

A huge thank you to the year 4 pupils at Glan Usk Primary School in Newport, who have written Christmas letters to the poorly children at The Grange University Hospital as part of their project on Kindness.

Please note that pregnant women can attend any of our Mass Vaccination Centres without an appointment for any of their COVID-19 vaccines.

If you are over 20 weeks pregnant, please walk to the front of the queue, make yourself known to staff and you will be fast tracked as a priority.

A huge thank you to the Community Pharmacists working in our Health Board area, who between January and November this year, have collectively:

Whilst we are trying to deliver as many vaccines as possible during December via the invitation booking system, there is a possibility that we may have some last minute changes to availability.

Due to a number of appointments becoming available at short notice, there is a drop-in session TODAY (Monday 20th December) at the Newport Centre until 2:30pm this afternoon.

This will be for first doses aged 12+, second doses aged 18+ (it must be at least 8 weeks from your first dose) and Boosters (over 30s).

There will be no changes to collection days over the Christmas period, the service will be running as normal.

On Saturday 18th December we will be carrying out a system upgrade at Nevill Hall Hospital which will require a system wide outage from 06:00 to 08:00hrs. During this time the site will have no access to Networks, Telephony or Wifi. 

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has made a plea to local residents, asking them to wait to receive their booster vaccination and NOT to contact the Health Board for details of their appointment.

The Outpatient Referral & Booking Centre have made temporary changes to their opening hours. 

Today marks one year since our ambitious Mass Vaccination Programme began and we administered our very first Covid-19 vaccinations to our local population, taking our first steps towards protecting Gwent from Coronavirus.

Today, on Tuesday 7^th December 2021, we are supporting the #maegenihawl Welsh Language Rights Day, where we are promoting some of the Welsh language services that we offer to our patients and staff as part of their Welsh Language Rights.

The Health Board is proud to announce that its Transport to Health Project has won a national Community Transport Champion Award.

Funded by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Transport to Health Community Transport Fund, The Parish Trust will be launching their brand new Transport To Health Shuttle Bus from Tuesday 7th December.

As the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 has now reached Wales, please note the change in isolation rules for contacts of Omicron cases.

Monday 6th December 2021

Following our Public Board Meeting held on Wednesday 24th November 2021, download the summary of items discussed at the meeting.

Find the meeting's agenda and papers on our Public Board Meetings page.

In light of last week’s announcements from JCVI regarding the expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination programme, we have understandably received a vast amount of queries from our residents about when, where and how they will receive their newly-announced second or booster doses.

Funded by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Transport to Health Community Transport Fund, The Parish Trust will be launching their brand new Transport To Health Shuttle Bus from Tuesday 7th December.

A patient in the last few weeks of his life was able to fulfil one of his final wishes by marrying his long term partner last week, as the Palliative Care Team and Ward 4/3 at Nevill Hall Hospital organised their wedding on the ward.

We are pleased to announce that the Minister for Health and Social Services has confirmed the appointment of Pippa Britton as Interim Vice-Chair of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board until 31 March 2022.

We are pleased to share with you the Autumn 2021 issue of the newsletter of the Friends of Llanfrechfa Grange Walled Garden.

Earlier today (Friday 26th November), our Interim Chief Executive Glyn Jones, along with staff from Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan, was delighted to receive a specially bred rose called the Nye Bevan rose on behalf of the Health Board.

In recognition of Carers Rights Day on 25^th November, the Gwent Carers Regional Partnership Board is proud to support the launch of a digital and BSL version of the successful Young Carers book 'It’s Cool to Care.'

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is delighted that Nevill Hall Hospital has been chosen as the location for a new Radiotherapy Satellite Centre in South East Wales, to help improve cancer care in the area.

Dr Andrew Yeoman, Consultant Liver Specialist for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Clinical Lead for Gwent Alcohol Care Team, discusses the health benefits of drinking less, as well as where to go if you or a loved one would like help or advice about alcohol consumption.

The Future of Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) area, Public Engagement..

NHS Wales has launched three new apps to help you manage your respiratory condition. The apps (AsthmaHub, Asthmahub for parents & COPDhub) are specifically aimed at people with Asthma and COPD and other advice on how to best manage your condition.

Tŷ Cerdd Records have announced the release of a new album of music and sound works written for well-being and contemplation.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has today become the second Health Board in Wales to reach the incredible milestone of administering 1,000,000 vaccinations to its residents.

The Health Board’s Mass Vaccination Programme, which commenced in early December last year, has offered first, second, third and booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in a variety of healthcare settings.

Do you struggle to lose weight and keep it off? Are you feeling overwhelmed with all the mixed messages in the media about 'dieting'? 

This week we take a look at sugar. The British Dietetic Association fact sheet on the subject is a good place to start too understand more.

We're celebrating the TENTH anniversary of the opening of Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr this week, as the hospital marks a decade of providing first-class care to local people.

The Enhanced Local General Hospital, in Ystrad Mynach, opened its doors to patients in November 2011 and has been providing a range of healthcare services to Aneurin Bevan University Health Board patients ever since.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board would like to introduce our new team of Smoke-Free Environment Officers working across our hospital sites.

We are pleased to share that Age Connects Torfaen has been awarded a grant of £10,000 from the ‘Transport to Health’ project to enhance its existing transport service. The service will now be able to offer transport for older people living in Torfaen to access a hospital appointment.

The Welsh Blood Service has clinics coming up in the Borough of Caerphilly

Our phone lines are extremely busy at the moment and it may take longer than expected for your call to be answered.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is touring the area to recruit new members of staff and ensure local residents understand the recent changes to the healthcare system.

Ahead of the busy Winter period, we're conducting a dual-purpose engagement roadshow to fill a number of job vacancies within the local health sector, as well as to help local residents make the right choices when they need care.

We no longer recommend that children under 5 take COVID-19 tests

Do you have questions about our Health Board and the pressures we're currently facing?

A team of expert clinicians will be answering your questions live on our Facebook page on Wednesday 3rd November at 7pm.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is delighted to work with Improvement Cymru to host an online event with Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, Professor Dawn Brooker, Professor Katie Featherstone, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Lleisiau Dementia.

From the 6^th November to the end of March 2022, Aneurin Bevan is offering Saturday morning clinics for women that are due for Cervical Screening. These clinics will be held across the region and you can call directly to book an appointment.

Monday 25th October 2021

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board was turned pink on Friday 22nd October for the national Turn it Pink Day.

The A465 between Brynmawr & Glanbaiden will be closed from 20:30 Friday 29th October - 06:00 Monday 1st November 2021. 

Wednesday 20th October 2021

Do you take methotrexate for your arthritis or for a skin condition?

If so, you may be eligible to take part in this VROOM study.

We are recruiting for a pioneering co-production Community Advisory Panel in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is supporting a national longitudinal study aiming to understand how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has impacted on the mental health and emotional well-being of people across Wales.

It's World Menopause Day!

Would you like to know more about the Menopause?

Friday 15th October 2021

As NHS staff continue to respond to the consequences of the Coronavirus Pandemic, this year’s winter season is set to be the busiest ever recorded for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, along with other Health Boards across Wales and the UK.

Diwrnod Shwmae Hapus / Happy Shwmae Day!

Today- 15th October 2021- is an annual celebration of the Welsh Language in Wales.

From Monday 11^th October, you must use the NHS COVID Pass to show that you are fully vaccinated or have tested negative to attend large events, nightclubs and other similar venues. Please see information below on how to access your NHS COVID Pass.  

The Health Board has 2 exciting opportunities for you to use your skills and experience to make a difference to the lives of people served by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.....

Please note that the A465 will be closed between Brynmawr and Gilwern from 20:30 on Friday 15th October to 06:00 on Monday 18th October 2021.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Customer Management Centre will be running a reduced service this week (Week commencing 11th October 2021).

Digital Health Wales report over 250,000 video consultations have taken place between patients and clinicians in Wales since March 2020.

The Health Board is introducing a new service at the Royal Gwent Hospital to care for respiratory patients on Monday (11th October).

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2021 is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’.

The Health Board has coordinated the following Covid-19 Mobile Testing Units:

The Mass Vaccination Booking Centre are continuing to experience issues with their phone line, resulting in callers experiencing unusually long waits to speak to a call handler. This is still under investigation and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

Please be aware that the Walk-in Vaccination Clinic in Abertillery on 9th October 2021 has been cancelled.

The new Chief Executive of the NHS in Wales and Director General for Health and Social Services will be Judith Paget, it has been announced.

Our Deputy Medical Director and GP, Liam Taylor talks about why GP Practices are currently working differently and the significant demands we are facing in general practice since the Covid pandemic.

It has been brought to our attention that members of the public are experiencing unusually long waits to speak to a call handler within the Mass Vaccination Booking Centre...

It may be necessary for visitors to accompany patients/service users to scheduled appointments in our healthcare setting. This may be supported in the following situations, further exceptions may be made following discussion with the relevant department:

Team County at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board are finalists in the Nursing Older People category of the RCN Nursing Awards 2021.

They were shortlisted for the profession’s top accolade for nursing excellence from hundreds of entries by a panel of nurse leaders, and will find out if they have won at a live-streamed ceremony on 12th October 2021. 

We’re experiencing a large volume of calls within the Mass Vaccination Booking Centre and request that anyone calling to cancel or rearrange their appointment to select option 1 to leave a voicemail message.

The Transport to Health project has awarded its first cash grants to two successful applicants.