NHS to double spend on obesity surgery

A FUNDING boost will see more people undergoing NHS weight-loss surgery to help tackle the nation’s obesity epidemic. The budget for bariatric surgery operations, such as gastric banding or stomach stapling, is forecast to almost double to £500,000 this year. The extra cash could also help establish the nation’s first specialist morbid obesity service, operating out of hospitals in Bridgend and Swansea.

By comparison, £520,000 has been spent on weight loss surgery for Welsh patients over the past two years and most of the operations have been carried out in either Bristol or Salford.

Stroke-risk patients in Wales not getting life-saving surgery

PATIENTS who suffer a mini-stroke are routinely missing out on potentially life-saving surgery in Wales, a damning audit reveals. The UK-wide audit found only a fraction of patients who suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) in Wales underwent surgery to prevent them suffering a potentially fatal stroke. It is thought a lack of awareness about mini-strokes and their seriousness among the public and GPs could be responsible for the low numbers of high-risk patients being referred for surgery in Wales. It is estimated that one in four patients who suffer a TIA will go on to have a potentially life-threatening full-blown stroke. But urgent vascular surgery to widen the carotid arterycan drastically reduce that risk.

First All-Wales Community Mental Health Service

The first all-Wales community mental health service for veterans has been set up. The typical veteran referred to the community veterans mental health service is in his 40s and has served in Northern Ireland. He may also have seen active service in the Falklands or in Bosnia and Kosovo.

He’s had several broken relationships and has fathered a few children. He may have been homeless for a while, has problems holding down a job. He has debts and is struggling with some form of substance misuse or dependence – most likely alcohol – and common mental health problems.

This brief description is typical of the background of the people referred to the Cardiff-based service over the last two years since the city was chosen as one of six locations for a pilot project. It is also typical of what the veterans’ therapists will see in each of Wales’ seven local health board areas as the all-Wales service is developed.

But it by no means describes every one of the 200-plus referrals the service has seen since 2008 – a small number of the veterans have been women. And while some will be suffering from mental health problems, which directly relate to their experiences of active service and conflict, many will be seeking help for common problems, including anxiety and depression.

More information about the service is available at http://www.veterans-mhs-cvct.org/. Veterans can also self refer to the service from the website.

Mental Health At Work

Dr Clive Morgan who works in in occupational health advises companies about the mental and physical health of individual employees. he's also involved in broader issues of health, safety and wellbeing in work. A very high proportion of his patients are experiencing some kind of psychological distress or mental health condition, be it low mood, anxiety or a significant mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar. Statistics on mental health conditions vary greatly but at least 10% of the UK population will experience clinical depression in a given year. These people will invariably, with appropriate support, make an excellent recovery. Read more about this article by clicking here.

10th August 2010 Boogie with Pete The Muni Arts Centre Pontypridd

Start 2.30pm The Muni Arts Centre Are you ready to Boogie with Pete from CBeebies Boogie Beebies? Starring Peter Hillier from the Bafta award-winning BBC show Boogie Beebies, this hyperactive show based on the highly successful BBC children's television programme will have your little ones squirming with delight. “A children’s television presenter at his best” DAILY EXPRESS Running Time: 50mins (no interval) Age: 2yrs+ £8.50. Early Bird Tickets £6.50 Ticket information The Cultural Services Booking and Information Line - 08000 147 111 or book online at www.rct-arts.co.uk

7th August 2010 Art Exhibition by Alwyn Isaac

9 am - 5 pm Dare Valley Country Park An exhibition of work by Alwyn Isaac
Ticket information Dare Valley Country Park. 01685874672
www.darevalleycountrypark.co.uk

5th August 2010 Self Help Group Tonyrefail

11am -1pm every Thursday until 16/12/2010 4 Seasons As part of the Depression Busting course, we are setting up a self-help group for people with depression and their partners/carers.Ticket information
Free to attend, for further information contact Zoe.A.Parfitt@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk www.journeysonline.org.uk

1st August 2010 The Parcel of Rogues Concert

Afternoon Court Yard Concert 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm An energetic five-piece Folk Rock band playing traditional and contemporary music from Britain and America. Their repertoire is diverse, from driving foot stompers to slow atmospheric ballads! All performed with excellent musicianship, vocal harmonies and peppered with a great deal of fun.Ticket information Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare
www.darevalleycountrypark.co.uk

1st August 2010 Harnessed Horse Parade

Ynysangharad War Memorial Park Pontypridd The Mayor's annual Harnessed Horse Parade will take place at 12pm on Sunday 1st August from Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, as a major attraction of the Big Welsh Bite weekend.Over 40 horse drawn carriages from all over the UK will take part in the spectacular parade, in order to raise money for the nominated charities of Rhondda Cynon Taf's Mayor Come out onto the streets and support this amazing charity Free event

Cardiff Festival Sat 31st July - Sun 1st August

Cardiff Festival Live music, street & open-air theatre, children’s entertainment and funfair's that taking place in city centre and around Cardiff Bay.Come along and have a great time

Big Welsh Bite

3Oth July at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park Pontypridd Welsh food and craft festival with arena displays, cooking demonstrations, sporting activity, animal exhibitions, children's entertainment, local produce, craft stalls, Health Alliance, vintage farm vehicles and much more.

Free Admission

Free RCT Counselling Sessions

The Carers Support Project based at Heddfan, Rhydyfelin, is now providing six sessions of counselling a week, free of charge, to any carers living in RCT. Sessions can be provided face to face or over the telephone, depending on the needs of the carer. Since the service began feedback from carers has been very positive with them welcoming the opportunity to speak to someone, confidentially, outside their situation. They may want to speak about their caring role or some other issue of concern to them. To make an appointment, or to find out more about the service ring Free phone 0808 100 1801

Weekend Free Swimming For Youngsters

Children and young people in Wales will now be able to enjoy swimming and other leisure centre activities for free at weekends. A change to the minimum criteria of the current scheme, means that local authorities will now offer free swimming sessions or other leisure centre activities for children aged 16 and under on weekends as well as school holidays. The new agreement with local authorities also places more emphasis on delivery of structured sessions, which have greater participation and will help deliver the Assembly Government’s aim of every child learning to swim by the age of 11.

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Watchdog Backs A Minimum Price For Alcohol

A health watchdog has added its voice to calls for a minimum price per unit of alcohol in England. The recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is in guidance on reducing the harm from excess drinking. NICE says about one in four adults is drinking too much and damaging, or at least risking, their health. The coalition government agrees that alcohol misuse is a problem, but does not support a minimum price. NICE's guidance focuses on the damaging impact of excessive alcohol, and suggests ways for the government, the NHS and others to reduce the harm from misuse, based on the best available evidence.

Mind Cymru

Mind Cymru is offering two new courses for service users at the Merthyr Tydfil Resource Centre:

Confidence Building (4 weeks - starts 7th June)

Anxiety Self Management (10 weeks - starts 12th July)

Places are limited and are offered on a first come first served basis. If you would like to refer any clients please contact Cathy Boyle Tel: 01685 359183 Email: info@matvmind.org to reserve a place.

Rhondda Carnival

7th july 2010 Rhondda Heritage Park 2pm - 4pm Rhondda Heritage Park, Trehafod Lecture by Professor Dai Smith at Rhondda Heritage Park, Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod, RCT, CF37 2NP
free Event - Please reserve your place in advance 01443 682036
Email info@rhonddaheritagepark.com

Macmillian Cancer Support Aberdare 10k

4th July 2010 Macmillian Cancer Support Aberdare 10k Aberdare Registrations on the day start at 07.30am The Race starts at 9.30am Penderyn This is a fast course run starting at Penderyn and finishing at Aberdare Leisure Centre. The run is registered with the Welsh Athletics Association and will be along a designated route Ticket information Contact your local Macmillan Cancer Support Office at hashcroft@macmillan.org.uk or call 01656 867 968 www.macmillan.org.uk

Family History Day

3rd July 2010 Rhondda Heritage Park,11am – 4pm Rhondda Heritage Park, Trehafod If you have roots in the Rhondda or South Wales, this is a good place to start. Why not combine your visit with a tour around Rhondda Heritage Park to discover the history of the area. Ticket information
Tel ; 01443 682036 Email info@rhonddaheritagepark.com
www.tonypandy2010.com

Shakespeare in The Courtyard

1st July 2010 - 04 July 2010 Dare Valley Country Park An outdoor performance of Shakespeare's romantic comedy 'Much Ado About Nothing' Ticket informationPlease contact Olive Howells on 01685 875587 or email olive70@tiscali.co.ukwww.darevalleycountrypark.co.uk