£3m to support new social care law

A £3m package of Welsh Government funding and support will help local authorities implement major reforms to Wales’ social care system when a landmark law comes into force in April, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford has announced. The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 will change the way social services are delivered, promoting people’s independence to give them a stronger voice and more control over the services they need. It will also encourage a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention, helping people stay independent for longer. The Minister said: “The £3m I am announcing will help local government and other partners implement the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 when it comes into force on April 6.”

Businesses encouraged to apply for support to boost exports and growth

The Welsh Government is calling on Welsh businesses in development with high growth potential to apply for a new scheme providing tailored support to help their business grow, boost exports and create new jobs. The pre-start business accelerator programme is open to businesses that can outline an ambitious growth strategy with the aim of creating 10 jobs and turning over £2m in its first three years. Applicants will also be assisted in identifying opportunities in international market, with the aim of generating 30% of its revenue through export. Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “As a pro-business government we are committed to supporting Welsh entrepreneurs and companies with ambitious plans for growth and creating jobs. The new pre-start business accelerator programme is a chance for businesses with growth potential to receive tailored support and coaching to boost their exports and turnover.” The closing date for applications is February 7 and applicants are invited to apply via the ICE website at http://welshice.org/.

All Welsh local authorities now out of special measures

Education Minister Huw Lewis has welcomed news that all four local authorities in Wales have now been removed from special measures, but urged all of the authorities to keep making progress. Merthyr Tydfil is the fourth local authority to have been removed from the category in the last two months. The authority follows in the footsteps of Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Torfaen and means that no Welsh local authority is now in special measures. The Minister said: “I very much welcome Estyn’s judgement that all four authorities in Wales in special measures have made sufficient progress to be removed from special measures. This brings to an end my interventions in these areas, but I want it to be the start of sustained improvements in those local authorities.”

More people surviving stroke - new report

Stroke services in Wales are continuing to improve as a new report shows there are more than 1,000 fewer deaths from stroke a year compared to a decade ago (Friday 29th January). The third all-Wales annual report for stroke sets out the progress the NHS has made in preventing and treating stroke, against the Welsh Government’s stroke delivery plan. It also highlights areas for improvement. The report shows more people are surviving and fewer people are now dying from stroke. In 2005, 3,158 people died from a stroke in Wales. In 2014 it was 2,317, a 26% fall and a reduction of 841 deaths. Based on a three-year average, Wales has seen a fall of more than 1,000 deaths per year between 2003-05 and 2012-14. Deputy Minister for Health Vaughan Gething said: “This report shows stroke services across Wales continue to improve with more people surviving and fewer people dying from stroke.”

New initiative brings heart tests closer to people’s homes

Patients with suspected heart problems will have access to cardiology services closer to their homes, reducing waiting times and pressure on hospitals as part of a new initiative unveiled by Deputy Minister for Health Vaughan Gething. The Deputy Minister announced a pilot community cardiology scheme in which specially-trained GPs manage people with heart problems, allowing consultant cardiologists to deal with patients who have more complex conditions. The Deputy Minister said: “The pilot project in Swansea has been a big success. It has led to quicker access to the most appropriate service and intervention for patients following an assessment. It has also resulted in shorter waiting times for cardiology outpatient appointments as a result of a reduced number of referrals and demand.”

Views sought on new rail franchise

Members of the public are being asked what they would like to see from the next rail franchise for Wales. Transport Minister Edwina Hart has launched a public consultation to inform the specification for the next Wales and Borders rail franchise, which will include Metro rail services in south east Wales. It is expected that responsibility for awarding the next Wales and Borders Franchise will transfer to the Welsh Government early in 2017 in time for the next franchise to start in 2018. The consultation seeks opinions on the priorities for improvements to the franchise in a number of areas, includingservices and capacity; serformance; fares and ticketing; and, rolling stock. The Minister said: “For the first time decisions about our railway services will be taken in Wales to ensure we have the high quality, effective, and affordable service we need. I am expecting real benefits to passengers, including faster journey times, higher quality services, improved reliability and less overcrowding.”

£2.5m to tackle delayed transfers from hospitals

New measures to tackle delayed transfers of care in the Welsh NHS have been unveiled by Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford. A total of £2.5m will support a series of measures to reduce the number of people – the majority are older people – who are unable to leave hospital for social care reasons, freeing up hospital beds for patients who need them. The most recent statistics show 435 people experienced a delayed transfer of care in December 2015 - the third consecutive month there has been a reduction in the number of delays. The Minister said: “In Wales, we have invested in both our health and social care services, because people, especially the frail and the elderly, rely on both to meet their care and support needs. This investment has led to a steady decline in the number of delayed transfers of care over the last 10 years – bucking the trend seen elsewhere in the UK.”