Health - Community Update
Blaenavon Health Care Unit
The Blaenavon Health care Unit need to close for a few weeks in November 2009 due to concerns in having adequate staff cover for clinical safety. This was raised with the Community Health Council and a briefing update went out to stakeholders at the time to explain the position. The unit resumed taking admissions later that month once staffing was stabilized.
The Aneurin Bevan Health Board came into being on 1st October 2009, taking over the functions of the former Gwent Healthcare NHS and the five local Health Boards covering Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouth, Newport and Torfaen – but redevelopment of health services in North Torfaen remains a high priority for the new organization, picking up from its predecessors.
Managers are working together to determine timescales for transfer of services from the Blaenavon Health Care Unit, which will be governed by progress on the new Primary Care Resource Centre planned – for which final business case was submitted in November 2009.
The plan remains as two phases, firstly the bed based element once alternative bed provision is available and secondly the community services, including clinics, community nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, once the new Primary Care Resource Centre is built.
The latest briefing note| prepared by the Aneurin Beavan Health Board is available.
The bed based element is currently being successfully provided through a mix of community initiatives including three short stay units in sheltered housing (Talywain House, Kennard Court and Baker Street).
All three units have seen the first residents needing short-stay care move through and return home. The units have been well supported by Bron Afon and the sheltered housing tenants, who made their temporary guests very welcome. A leaflet| explaining the short stay units has been prepared. An open day for professionals was held on 26th November 2009.
Arthur Jenkins Care Home
The Planning Application for a new wing at the Arthur Jenkins care home has been successful, but the current economic climate means that building is unlikely for the next year or so.
The NHS is therefore looking at scope to directly commission a few of the existing beds at the home, looking to work collaboratively with Social Care, and providing additional support as needed.
The home provider is linking with Care and Social Standards Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) to vary registration to allow for NHS bed use. A case was submitted in April.
For further information, contact: David Williams on 0793 9003131
North Torfaen Consultation Feedback
Over the last two years, there have been regular update briefing notes every six months or so – and the new Aneurin Bevan Health Board is committed to working with Torfaen County Borough Council to ensure regular communication.
A copy of the 2008/09 consultation feedback| is available to download here.
There has not been anything further to report in the first quarter of 2010, but Aneurin Bevan Health Board is committed to keeping local people informed and involved once a timetable for closure of the Blaenavon Healthcare Unit is taken forward, as was agreed with the then Gwent (now Aneurin Bevan ) Community Health Council.