I have received a letter from the Health Minister Edwina Hart regarding vaccination uptake in 09-10.
The Minister asks for her message of personal thanks to be shared with everyone involved in delivering vaccination services, and I would like to share her comments on this blog.
The letter reads:
I was very pleased to see the Public Health Wales annual report on the routine childhood vaccination programme. I noted particularly that, national uptake of all vaccinations by one year old is at the 95% target. Also that uptake of both MMR doses continues to increase towards target. This is all very good news.
There is still some way to go to reach target in the pneumococcal and Hib/MenC levels and uptake in the teenage booster is worryingly low. I am expecting to see improvements in these programmes during this year.
Vaccination is the best way of protecting children – and the wider community – against potentially very serious illnesses. We will achieve high uptake levels in all childhood programmes only through the efforts of local health professionals who support parents in making informed decisions about vaccination. I therefore want to thank everyone involved for their hard work last year when considerable challenges were faced during the swine flu pandemic.
I would appreciate this message of personal thanks being shared with everyone involved in delivering vaccination services.
Showing posts with label Public Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public Health. Show all posts
Friday, 18 June 2010
Monday, 11 January 2010
2010 for the Public Health Committee
Chair of the Public Health Committee Lika Nehaul (pictured)looks at the year ahead for the Committee.
"2010 will be another challenging year for the Public Health Committee. There are four main issues that we would like to focus on.
"Firstly, we will be working with the Board of the Public Health Wales NHS Trust (PHW) to make the new organisation function successfully, and to be the best Public Health Service in the UK.
"This will not be an easy task as public health capacity is slim. The Public Health Strategic Framework for Wales will need to be implemented and there are high expectations on the part of Local Health Boards of the newly appointed Directors of Public Health, and the support expected from PHW across all domains of public health practice.
"Local authorities and communities will look to the Public Health service to advise on, and support the health improvement agenda. These are substantial expectations in an increasingly difficult financial climate.
"The second issue relates to the ongoing development of BMA Cymru Wales policy. Our members want to work closely with Welsh Council and other crafts in regard to both health care and health policies.
"We would like more doctors specialising in public health to be actively engaged as BMA members, especially given the multiple challenges medics are likely to face in coming years.
"Finally, like other doctors we want the details of our specialty re-validation arrangements clarified at the earliest possible opportunity."
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Chief Medical Officer for Wales publishes Annual Report
Wales’ Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Jewell, has today published his annual report which looks at different methods of prevention to ensure the long-term health of the nation, including immunisation, screening and education.
He warns that preventing disease and illness is the key to a healthy future generation. I welcome this report and agree with the recommendations Dr Jewell sets out for improving the health of the nation. It is vital to focus on health promotion and illness prevention as well as illness itself.
Dr Jewell says that overall health in Wales is continuing to improve, but continued action is still needed to address issues like obesity, binge-drinking and smoking. These three issues are important for BMA Cymru members, and for years we have been trying to improve the health of the nation by campaigning for smoking bans, minimum pricing for alcohol and preventing childhood obesity.
The effect of the smoking ban is noted by Dr Jewell in the report. Findings from research commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government show clear evidence of reduced exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, particularly in pubs, clubs, bars and at work. This means that the legislation has achieved its main objective to reduce environmental tobacco smoke. It is encouraging that the studies found no evidence of any shift of smoking to the home, or of increased exposure to children.
BMA Cymru would like to see further action taken by the Government in the long run, including banning advertising and displaying cigarettes at point of sale; as well as banning cigarette vending machines and scrapping the sale of ten packs.
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic, and the soaring rates have lead to an increase in childhood type II diabetes and will lead to more future cases of heart disease, osteoarthritis and some cancers. Teaching children at an early age about the advantages of a healthy lifestyle and introducing exercise into a daily routine may prevent them from chronic health conditions later on in life.
A sensible approach to alcohol is always important, but it is particularly pertinent at this time of the year. We want the public to be aware of the risks associated with drinking, and would like to see advertising for alcohol banned as well as minimum price levels for the sale of alcohol.
Health Minister Edwina Hart has welcomed the report and the recommendation that more focus should be placed on preventative measures. I look forward to seeing what action the Welsh Assembly Government takes. Let me know what you make of the report.
He warns that preventing disease and illness is the key to a healthy future generation. I welcome this report and agree with the recommendations Dr Jewell sets out for improving the health of the nation. It is vital to focus on health promotion and illness prevention as well as illness itself.
Dr Jewell says that overall health in Wales is continuing to improve, but continued action is still needed to address issues like obesity, binge-drinking and smoking. These three issues are important for BMA Cymru members, and for years we have been trying to improve the health of the nation by campaigning for smoking bans, minimum pricing for alcohol and preventing childhood obesity.
The effect of the smoking ban is noted by Dr Jewell in the report. Findings from research commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government show clear evidence of reduced exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, particularly in pubs, clubs, bars and at work. This means that the legislation has achieved its main objective to reduce environmental tobacco smoke. It is encouraging that the studies found no evidence of any shift of smoking to the home, or of increased exposure to children.
BMA Cymru would like to see further action taken by the Government in the long run, including banning advertising and displaying cigarettes at point of sale; as well as banning cigarette vending machines and scrapping the sale of ten packs.
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic, and the soaring rates have lead to an increase in childhood type II diabetes and will lead to more future cases of heart disease, osteoarthritis and some cancers. Teaching children at an early age about the advantages of a healthy lifestyle and introducing exercise into a daily routine may prevent them from chronic health conditions later on in life.
A sensible approach to alcohol is always important, but it is particularly pertinent at this time of the year. We want the public to be aware of the risks associated with drinking, and would like to see advertising for alcohol banned as well as minimum price levels for the sale of alcohol.
Health Minister Edwina Hart has welcomed the report and the recommendation that more focus should be placed on preventative measures. I look forward to seeing what action the Welsh Assembly Government takes. Let me know what you make of the report.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Put children first in the fight to reduce health inequalities
Another motion up for debate yesterday at the ARM focused on safeguarding children and their futures.
Delegates are calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to put youngsters at the heart of every one of its department’s priorities, for the next two decades, to give ALL children the best start in life.
One way of dong this could be to increase the number of school nurses in Wales and for these nurses to also take responsibility for public health in schools.
With the measles outbreak which is sweeping through Wales at the moment, there has never been a better time for the WAG to honour its promise, laid down in the One Wales manifesto, to provide a minimum of one family nurse per secondary school by the end of the Assembly term.
I think School Public Health Nurses could have played an integral part in helping to prevent the current measles epidemic from spreading as much as it has by providing advice and guidance to parents.
We need to ensure ALL children are given the best possible start in life and where they go to school can have a big impact on this. That’s why, in the most deprived areas of Wales, we need to transform schools in to safe havens for those youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Very pleasant walk around the Albert dock by the way, shame I didn’t have my camera with me to take a few scenic shots to share with you all on here!
Delegates are calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to put youngsters at the heart of every one of its department’s priorities, for the next two decades, to give ALL children the best start in life.
One way of dong this could be to increase the number of school nurses in Wales and for these nurses to also take responsibility for public health in schools.
With the measles outbreak which is sweeping through Wales at the moment, there has never been a better time for the WAG to honour its promise, laid down in the One Wales manifesto, to provide a minimum of one family nurse per secondary school by the end of the Assembly term.
I think School Public Health Nurses could have played an integral part in helping to prevent the current measles epidemic from spreading as much as it has by providing advice and guidance to parents.
We need to ensure ALL children are given the best possible start in life and where they go to school can have a big impact on this. That’s why, in the most deprived areas of Wales, we need to transform schools in to safe havens for those youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Very pleasant walk around the Albert dock by the way, shame I didn’t have my camera with me to take a few scenic shots to share with you all on here!
Monday, 23 February 2009
Chance for Public Health doctors in Wales to get their voice heard
Just to make you aware that BMA Cymru Wales’ Welsh Committee for Public Health Medicine and Community Health will be opening its doors again for an open meeting on Tuesday the 21st April, 2009. This meeting is a great way for Public Health and Community Health doctors in Wales to gain a better understanding of what a national committee discusses and to see how the views of public and community health doctors are fully represented.
All Welsh Consultants in Public Health Medicine and Community Health are invited to attend this meeting.
If you would like to come and put forward your views on topics such as the Unified Public Health Organisation consultation or just to listen, please contact Laura Evans - levans@bma.org.uk, by Friday 3rd April, 2009.
All Welsh Consultants in Public Health Medicine and Community Health are invited to attend this meeting.
If you would like to come and put forward your views on topics such as the Unified Public Health Organisation consultation or just to listen, please contact Laura Evans - levans@bma.org.uk, by Friday 3rd April, 2009.
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