News

On 17th May 2021 the First Minister announced that international travel would resume and confirmed that Wales would use the same traffic-light system for international travel as in other parts of the UK.

Friday 21st May

Do you have a question about Maternity services in our Health Board?

Join us on Thursday 27th May at 3pm for our LIVE Maternity Q&A session on Facebook, or watch it back at a later time on our Facebook page- @AneurinBevanHealthBoard

Dementia Action Week is a national event that sees organisations and the public coming together to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.

The Friends of ABUHB (Aneurin Bevan University Health Board) Breast Unit was set up in 2018 with the aim of raising £200k towards the new unit, which is due to open at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in late 2021.

The Welsh Blood Service needs to collect over 350 donations of blood every day and demand has risen steadily over the last 10 years as medical techniques become evermore sophisticated.

This week 17th- 23rd May 2021 we are pledging to 'Think Insulin' as part of Insulin Safety Week 2021. Our Diabetes Specialist Teams across the Health Board are helping to raise awareness of the importance of reducing insulin errors in people living with Diabetes.

It is well known that what we eat impacts our mental health as well as our physical health.

Spring HIV Testing week is from 14th - 21st May 2021. This campaign organised by Fast Track Cities Cardiff encourages partner organisations in community, health care and policy institutions throughout Wales to unite to increase testing efforts and promote awareness of the benefits of earlier hepatitis and HIV testing.

If you are 40 years and older and have not received your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please come along the drop in clinic on 22nd May. No appointment necessary.

A Health Board doctor who photographed herself after wearing PPE at the height of the pandemic last year has featured in a national exhibition and book as part of an initiative launched by Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton.

We are extremely proud to announce that we have now hit the momentous milestone of administering half a million vaccinations (combination of first and second doses)!

Today (Friday 7th May) the JCVI have announced that those under 40 years (with no clinical risk factors) should be offered an alternative vaccine to Oxford AstraZeneca. 

The Health Board has today (5th May) launched a new campaign to encourage people to 'Think 111 First' if you have an urgent healthcare issue and are unsure what to do.

We are marking World Hand Hygiene Day (5th May) this year by encouraging our staff, patients and visitors to continue to think about the importance of clean hands.

Tuesday 4th May 2021

As the Health Board looks to expand the role of Physician Associates (PAs), last week colleagues from St Georges University Teaching Hospital in London took time to virtually meet with our Surgical Leads to discuss the benefits that the PA role can bring to front-door and elective surgical services.

The Health Board is running a campaign in local pubs, clubs and taxi premises to urge people to use the right service, or attend the correct hospital for their needs, when they are unwell or injured.

The Vaccination Booking Centre is experiencing technical issues with their telephone lines.  Callers are being held in a queue, but not getting through to an operator.

Download the summary of the key issues arising from the Briefing for MPs that took place on Friday, 23rd April 2021.

With over 30 years’ of hospital chaplaincy experience, Michael Marsden, Chaplain at Nevill Hall Hospital shares his insights with us in his new book.

We are aware that a number of patients trying to call Brynmawr Medical Practice are being connected with a company in Blackwood.

We have been advised that Belle Vue Lane, which runs adjacent to the Royal Gwent Hospital, will be closed on Sunday 25th April all day, for essential road repairs.

Due to a break in at one of our premises in Newport last night, our Trauma and Orthopaedic Outpatients team is experiencing some problems answering patient enquiries today.

Relocation of Premises for  Llanbradach Branch Site of Aber Medical Centre and The Village Surgery

Download the summary of the key issues arising from the Briefing for MPs that took place on Friday, 16th April 2021.

These exciting new images show how the new Tredegar Health and Wellbeing Centre could look once it opens to the public in Spring 2023.

Download the summary of the key issues arising from the Briefing for MPs that took place on Friday, 9th April 2021.

Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, CHC officers would visit our wards and speak to patients in confidence about their experiences of care. This third party feedback provided the Health Board with valuable, anonymous feedback that helped us to both celebrate what we do well and change what we need to, with the aim of improving the experience for people who receive care on our wards.

Today, 7th April, is World Health Day. Each year, on the anniversary of the founding of the WHO in 1948, this day draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

Last year, Critical Care staff from across Aneurin Bevan University Health Board collected money between them to have this beautiful bench designed and produced, in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the pandemic.

Download the summary of the key issues arising from the Briefing for MPs that took place on Friday, 26th March 2021.

A new online platform dedicated to supporting families through the stages of maternity and child health development, in partnership with local health professionals, launches today (date) in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area.

Cindy Sulit, a much loved Nurse at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, has this week returned to her role in the Emergency Department almost a year after she became critically ill with Covid-19.

After contracting Covid-19, Cindy’s condition deteriorated rapidly and she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and put on a ventilator for over three weeks.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board will take part in the National Day of Reflection on Tuesday 23rd March by lighting up six of our hospitals.

Three year old Eliza made history this week, as the very first patient to use the Children’s Healing Garden at The Grange University Hospital.

The Welsh Government have approved the full business case for the new Tredegar Health and  Wellbeing Centre development.

There are a number of growing challenges facing vascular services in South East Wales, meaning the service cannot be sustained in its current format for the future. 

Today is Young Carers Action Day and we want to raise awareness of Young Carers and the incredible contribution they make to their families and local communities. 

Bevan Exemplars, supported by the Bevan Commission, demonstrate outstanding examples of innovative practice projects across NHS Wales that have improved health and care, patient experiences and demonstrated good value for money.

Where to give blood in the Newport and Caerphilly areas in March and April.

Dr Nick Mason, an Intensive Care Consultant in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, has won the prestigious AP 2021 Power of Photography Award.

It is one year since Scott Howells, our first Covid-19 patient, was put on a ventilator in the Royal Gwent Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. He was in hospital for a total of eight weeks.

This week we are celebrating National Intergenerational Week...

We are delighted to have successfully held our first Gynaecology treatment clinic at Nevill Hall Hospital’s new Women’s Health Ambulatory Care Unit this week.

The new treatment clinic, which performs Myosure tissue removal, offers Gynaecology patients the opportunity to undergo a minor procedure under Local Anaesthetic, without the need for Hospital admission or major surgery.

As part of World Book Day, we’re celebrating two books that are very close to our hearts..

Improvement Cymru launch a new Resource Platform for Care Home and Domiciliary Staff to ensure quick and easy access to vital information.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus/ Happy St David's Day!

St David's famous words- "Do the little things in life"- have been more relevant in the past year than they have ever been before.

Most patients can’t wait to get home from hospital and the sooner the better. This isn’t just because it’s where they want to be, it’s also better for recovery once acute hospital care is no longer needed.

The Health Board's licence to occupy the Whiteheads car park expires on Sunday 28 February 2021, and those attending the hospital will no longer be able to utilise this car parking facility with effect from 1 March 2021. 

The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have issued a joint statement to confirm there is “no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 vaccines will affect fertility”. 

Throughout the pandemic, the groundswell of support for the NHS that we have witnessed, came to be symbolised by the rainbows that have filled our streets. 

The Outpatient Referral & Booking Centre has  now reverted  to their normal opening hours.  With immediate effect they will be open from Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 6:00pm and Saturday mornings 8:00am - 12:00noon.

Welcome to the latest issue of The Walled Garden newsletter. In this issue:

We are excited to announce that melo, our new mental wellbeing website, will be holding a workshop for young people aged 16-25 in Gwent! We will be gathering feedback from young people across Gwent on how we can make our website and resources even better. Our workshop will be held on the 25th February at 5.30pm, via a zoom call.

A new, innovative, on-demand hospital radio service has launched at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, to help
combat loneliness, boredom and the feeling of isolation that some patients face when staying in
hospital- something that has only been emphasised during the Coronavirus pandemic.

People living across the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area are being reminded that today, 1st March all hospital grounds become smoke-free.

We're celebrating Valentine's Day with the heartwarming story of Mr and Mrs Sneddon..

The Present is a six-week online course co-delivered by practitioners of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Valleys Steps.

The Welsh Government has partnered with Archus to review all Primary Care facilities in Wales, in order to identify areas requiring modernisation in line with current regulations.

We are so humbled and grateful to the late Captain Sir Tom Moore for all his incredible fundraising efforts for the NHS.

Thanks to the money we received from his hard work, we have been able to purchase items and support services that make a real difference to the well-being of our staff and patients.

Last week, we reached the milestone of 100,000 vaccinations and have now vaccinated a total of 111,443 people across our Health Board. A huge thank you to all those who have attended their vaccination
appointments so far. Without you, these fantastic figures would not be possible.

The Covid-19 Pandemic has resulted in the biggest vaccination programme we’ve seen in our lifetime. This has, of course, brought about many challenges. However, it has also offered many opportunities that wouldn’t usually arise.

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

We are incredibly delighted to announce the fantastic news that we have given over 100,000 vaccinations.

Please note that the A465 between Brynmawr and Gilwern will be closed this weekend from 06:00am Saturday 6th February - 06:00am Monday 8th February 2021.

We are so proud of our Vaccination Team for all their hard work, as we opened another of our Mass Vaccination Centres, this time in Newbridge, last Saturday.

Do you have a question about the Coronavirus vaccine? Ask the experts!

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has investigated a complaint and found service failure by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (“the Health Board”) and has sent a report on the results of his investigation to the Health Board.

Please find below a link to the Health Board's latest edition of Nye's Board News which sets out the main areas of discussion and provides a quick overview of decisions at our January 2021 'Virtual' Public Board meeting.

Weekly Progress (25th January - 1st February)

COVID-19 Strengths: Spreads quickly, often undetected

COVID-19 Weakness: Testing to identify positive cases

We are delighted to announce that we have given over 55,000 vaccinations.

Since the opening of The Grange University Hospital in November we have changed the way we deliver our services.

There's still time to complete  The Grange University Hospital  Patient Experience Survey.

The Covid-19 vaccination team at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and our GP practices continue to work tirelessly on the biggest vaccination programme we have seen in our lifetime.

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

This year, we would like to commemorate today's Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers Day by celebrating the love we have for our NHS and our staff.

Risk assessments have been carried out and the decision has been made to close all test sites in Gwent.

We can confirm that both Cwmbran Stadium and the Newport Centre are open for appointments today. Please be careful when you are travelling and arriving at sites.

Friday 22nd January 2021

Have you visited melo.cymru yet?

The new website is a THE place for mental health information and support if you live in Gwent (that’s Caerphilly, Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.)

Taking care of our own mental wellbeing, and that of our loved ones has never been more important. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges, worries and stresses, lots of us have had to develop new skills and new ways of coping.

While we can’t take away life’s problems, we can help you find better ways to cope with them.

On the website, you’ll find resources, courses, local opportunities to maintain and improve your mental and physical health. There’s also important information about getting help for you or someone you know.

A COVID recovery app was launched on Wednesday 20th January  as part of wider support on offer for people experiencing the longer term effects of coronavirus.

Please note that the Brynmawr - Gilwern road closure planned for this weekend has been postponed to Saturday 6th - Monday 8th February

Across our Health Board we have now vaccinated a total of 25,877 people.

Residents from 72 of the 95 care homes for older adults within the health board area have been offered the vaccination, with staff in 90% of our older adult care homes being offered the vaccine. We have vaccinated 7,777 80 years and over and 6,500+ frontline health staff.

We are pleased to announce that from today, 13th January 2021, we will have Telephonists at each of our main hospital sites, who will serve as a point of contact for callers enquiring for updates on relatives. We are aware of the significant difficulties the public are experiencing when trying to contact our wards during these very challenging times.

Since the launch of the Covid vaccine, the team at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have been working tirelessly on the biggest vaccination programme we’ve seen in our lifetime. So far across Gwent we have vaccinated over 15,000 people.

In 2020 we’ve all made great sacrifices to protect ourselves, family, friends and the NHS from Covid 19. That protection is continuing and as part of it we are in the process of vaccinating our wonderful nation.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board – Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Division is pleased to officially launch a new public engagement to help improve adult mental health services across Gwent.

Monday 4th January 2021

Take a look at the wonderful staff members that won awards at last week's South Wales Argus Health and Social Care awards..

It's been brought to our attention that a  dangerous fake NHS text has been circulating, telling people they are eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Wednesday 6th January 2021

Each week, we will provide you with an update on where we are with the Covid-19 vaccine roll out in Gwent. Here's this week's update:

Congratulations to Professor Alka Surajprakash Ahuja and Professor Tamas Szakmany who have both received awards in the New Year Honours list 2021.

We are delighted with the news this morning that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has now been approved for use. As a Health Board we have made good progress on our vaccination programme since it began on the 8^th December and this new vaccine will help us accelerate our vaccination programme.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) following a global trial, in which Welsh participants and healthcare professionals played a key role.

Thursday 24 December 2020

We are appealing to families to support their loved ones to return home from our hospitals once they are well.

Our hospitals are experiencing considerable pressure as more and more people are becoming sick from the Coronavirus in our community and need our care.