Wales in strong bargaining position over cross-border health services

Wrexham's AM, Lesley Griffiths, has told the Welsh Health Minister that the NHS in Wales should take full advantage of its strong bargaining position, when it comes to purchasing cross-border health services for Welsh patients from some English Hospitals.

 
The Assembly Member was speaking during monthly Questions to Edwina Hart, in which she urged the Minister to take advantage of a change in status by some English hospitals, which could result in savings in the cost of treatment for Welsh patients.
 
Several specialist hospitals in England, which currently treat Welsh patients, are aiming to become so-called, foundation trusts in the coming years and Lesley Griffiths believes the financial guarantees required for them to achieve this status, should be exploited by Wales when it comes to negotiating service contracts.
 
A foundation trust is part of the NHS in England but one which has gained a degree of managerial and financial freedom from the Department of Health in London.
 
In her Question to the Minister in the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths AM said:
 
"Many hospital trusts in England that provide services to Welsh patients are currently in the process of attempting to become foundation trusts. One interesting aspect for those candidate trusts is their need to have an absolute guarantee of five years’ income for them to be successful in their applications.
 
"What assessment has been made of the incredibly strong bargaining position in which NHS Wales finds itself in negotiating the purchase and delivery of health services from England?"
 
In her reply, Edwina Hart said:
 
"The cross-border extension to the protocol also has an impact on the foundation hospitals. My officials are alert to any economies of scale that may be possible, and the issue is kept under ongoing review. We have to watch this space on the development of foundation trusts on the other side of the border."
 
Commenting following her Question, Lesley Griffiths said:
 
"I want to see the Welsh Government take full advantage of this window of opportunity over cross-border health services.. It's a fact that those hospitals seeking foundation status, have to prove long-term financial stability in order to be successful. I believe this puts Wales in a very strong position when it comes to negotiating and re-negotiating the purchase of services from these particular hospitals.
 
"If candidate foundations trusts depend on the guarantee of income that follows Welsh patients, in order to make their finances stand-up, then I believe it's only right that we use our strong bargaining position to take full advantage.
 
"I am encouraged that the Minister has taken my call on-board and will keep the situation under review. This could bring great benefits for both Welsh patients and Welsh finances."

Parade of Nations in Llangollen

Tuesday 7 July, 4.30pm. Each year the colour and excitement of the Eisteddfod spreads into the streets of Llangollen town. Join the fun as international performers in their traditional costumes parade through the picturesque town of Llangollen and over the famous bridge – just as they have done for the past 60 years. Weather permitting, the parade leaves the Eisteddfod ground on Tuesday at 4.30pm.

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Chirk Hospital

Off St Johns Street
Chirk
LL14 5LN
Telephone No: 01691 772430
Fax No: 01691 772342

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BUPA Yale Hospital

Wrexham Technology Park
Wrexham
01978 291306

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Artificial Limb Centre

Croesnewydd Road,
Wrexham
01978 727283

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Nightingale House Hospice

Nightingale House Hospice, in Wrexham, provides specialist palliative care for people across a large catchment area, supporting individuals and their families living with a diagnosis of a life limiting condition. The emphasis at Nightingale House is on life and living. The hospice provides holistic care of our patients physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs promoting quality of life throughout all the services we provide.

Continuing to provide this completely free service to local people and their families comes at a huge cost however and we need to raise £2.2 million this year to maintain our established status.

Of this, £1.9 million has to be found through the kindness and endeavour of the public and we are fortunate to receive such constant and energetic support.

As you can imagine this is an enormous task, and one which is only ever achievable with the help and kind support of local people and groups. We are a small team and we need your help.

Help us to make a difference…

There are many ways that you can help raise money for Nightingale House:

• Organise a fundraising event or help to set up a Hospice Support Group in your area.
• Make a cash donation or consider a bequest in your Will.
• Encourage your work colleagues to consider us as their chosen charity.
• If you are a tax payer, fill out a Gift Aid declaration form, so that we can claim back the tax you have paid on the money you donate, that way every £1.00 you give is worth £1.28 to us.

If you are organising an event, the Fundraising Department will help you with any publicity, the production of posters, tickets or any other required literature.

Please contact the Fundraising Department on 01978 314292.

Volunteering
Could you help the Fundraising Department by volunteering and helping at a fundraising event? We are always looking for people to help on Flag Days, Collection Days and with other fundraising activities.

Nightingale House Lottery
Join our Hospice Lottery at only £1 per week – Lottery Page

Support our Hospice Charity Shops
Support the Hospice by buying or promoting our Hospice merchandise. Call the Promotions Office on 01978 313134.

Address: Chester Road, Wrexham, LL11 2SJ
Telephone: 01978 316800
Fax: 01978 313135
Website: www.nightingalehouse.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nightingalehh

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Wrexham & District Society of Model Engineers

The present Society, which has been in existence since 1958, occupies an attractive lawned site adjacent to the Pant-Yr-Ochain pub / restaurant at Gresford Flash since 1960. The running track has been developed over this time and now consists of an ‘L’ shaped main line some 800 feet in length catering for 5 and 3 ½ inch gauges. Part of the track overlooks a local lake called The Flash which the Society’s boating section make good use of during the summer months.

There is a two platform covered station complete with seating and picnic tables. The two platforms are served by points at each end and there are also covered steaming bays again connected to the mainline by points. All points are controlled from the signal box using electro-pneumatics, the track being signalled using automatic colour light signals which allow up to three trains to run simultaneously. The Club also has a foundry where members can cast parts from their own patterns.

At present the Society has some 64 members and offers public running most Sundays and Bank Holidays, weather permitting. Rides for both adults and children are provided free of charge, although there is a box for voluntary donations which help with the upkeep and maintenance of the site. Over 100 model steam locomotives are registered with the Society, a number of which can be seen running throughout the year. In addition member’s model making interests encompass traction engines, farm machinery etc. Skill levels between members vary greatly, as indeed do member’s backgrounds, but providing you are prepared to ‘have a go’ there will always be members who are prepared to impart their own hard won experience. Members meet each Monday evening for general discussion, and each Wednesday to carry out general maintenance and loco testing.

On the first Sunday in July, the Society holds an Open Day at which member’s models, including those under construction, are exhibited. A variety of locomotives provide rides on a rota basis throughout the day and there is usually a steam launch giving rides on The Flash. Other attractions have included full size and model traction engines, stationary engines and a freelance car. Refreshments are also usually available. Special events, including a run to raise funds for a local charity, are held throughout the year.

New members are always welcome. Drop in to see us any Sunday!

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Glyn Valley Tramway

Part of the historic Glyn Valley Tramway is set to be restored by the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust who want to recreate the tramway as it would have been in its heyday.

The Ceiriog Valley, A little bit of Heaven on Earth according to Lloyd George, lies in the county of Wrexham and visitors to this now idyllic valley may be surprised to discover the areas rich industrial heritage based on its rock and mineral deposits.

Initially slate was moved by packhorse from Glyn Ceiriog across the hills to Llangollen, and there loaded onto barges for onward carriage, a system that was at best slow and very uneconomical. In 1873 a narrow gauge railway was built, and pack horses gave way to horse power. Industry created the tramway and because the tramway existed it in turn gave birth to other industries. From out of the valley poured a steady stream of slate, to which in the following years was added granite, china stone, tarmacadam and even gunpowder. From the mills came cloth and perhaps the most innovative was the ‘export’ of live trout from the valley’s trout fishery.

With the arrival of steam the whole process accelerated and mixed trains of slate and other mineral products together with passenger coaches became the norm. On the journey passengers would catch glimpses of the River Ceiriog running alongside the track. When the train reached Pontfadog many passengers would take the liberty of expecting the train to wait for them while they enjoyed a drink at the Swan Inn. Often the last customers emerging from the inn would have to dash across the road and would only just manage to clamber aboard in time before the train continued along it’s way to Dolywern and then onto Glyn Ceiriog. A humorous postcard from this time claimed the tramways motto was ‘No hurry, no worry’ and that ‘ten minute stops were made to pick flowers!’

Find out more about the Glyn Valley Tramway – dubbed The Little Bit of Heaven Railway – on their website at www.glynvalleytramway.co.uk.

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Healthy Living

Attention all Women who want to lose Weight or Get Fit!!!

Did you know you can burn off 300-600 calories just by walking or jogging?!
Why not ditch the gym’s boring treadmills and enjoy the good weather with your friends!

Get down to Queensway Stadium on a Monday evening between 7-8pm and join many other women new to jogging while getting fit and enjoying yourself in the lovely sunshine!!

Jogging is arguably the best exercise for strengthening the heart and lungs and burning body fat, and is ideal for shaping and toning the thighs and calves.
If jogging isn’t for you, power walking displays all the benefits of jogging without causing stress through heavy impact on the knees and back.

Held on the newly resurfaced athletics track, you will be helped and motivated to increase your fitness through walking, jogging or running around the track with Lisa, our qualified fitness instructor.

All this is ideal if you have signed up for a charity run or marathon, and are trying to get fit for it. Or, you might just prefer to exercise with others around you, to help and support you, instead of being on your own.

Queensway boasts a secure, floodlit, music filled, safe place to train as opposed to road running which can be daunting, dangerous and can lead to injuries due to the high impact caused by the hard surface.

Work off your weekend indulgences all for only £2, the price of a small glass of wine!!

And if you fancy getting the kids (8 years +) involved, then why not join our Family Jog Club held earlier between 6-6.45pm, which is only £1.20 per child!

For more information, please contact Chris at Healthy Living on 01978 364712.

Address:
Springlodge
41-43 St Giles Crescent
Wrexham
Wrexham
LL13 8SL
Telephone:
01978 364712

Opening Hours:
Family Jog Club-Every Monday evening, 6:00-6:45pm Womens Only Jog Club-Every Monday evening, 7:00-8:00pm Queensway Stadium, Caia Park, Wrexham.

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What’s on in Wrexham

The events page on Wrexham Today has been updated. Find out what events are on locally at www.wrexhamevents.co.uk. To advertise an event email jane@wrexhammedia.co.uk.

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