Think I'm coming down with a cold. Brace myself. 🤧

Whatever happens I'm definitely not calling NHS111 in Wales.

Rang earlier this year. I had a couple of issues but the main one was severe back muscle pain. They told me to visit my pharmacy who would provide treatment as my symptoms were covered under the "Common Ailments Scheme".

My pharmacist said "I'm not worried about you" and sent me away empty handed, telling me to return in a week if it got any worse.

I was there to get help with pain I expected to last for just a week. That was the whole reason I was there.

Spent a week in enormous pain. I was just about able to get to my front door for the Amazon Prime driver delivering the medication I bought online. I certainly couldn't walk to the pharmacy. (I don't have a car.)

Visited my pharmacist once before for a rash. They told me they couldn't help as they aren't allowed to treat a rash on the face or neck... But they told me a local "independent" pharmacist might be able to prescribe something.

What in the name of all that's sacred does that mean? Is there a postcode lottery for healthcare services in Wales?!

I am fully supportive of universal healthcare but Wales and the UK does not have and has never had universal healthcare. We have many services provided "free at the point of need", but not every service, and not every free service is provided universally without geographical restrictions.

We have an insurance system, but just one insurance scheme, who funds just one healthcare provider.

The insurance scheme & healthcare provider are both owned & managed by the State, on behalf of the people, but the people don't get a say on how much we pay, or what healthcare services we receive.

We pay into the "National Insurance" scheme from our 16th birthday via a tax on our income, and employers also contribute the same way. People on certain state benefits receive credits into the scheme if they can't afford to pay.

Optometry & dentistry are not covered by the insurance scheme, unless we receive certain state benefits, and therefore those services are not provided by that healthcare provider. They are the few healthcare services provided by private business at an additional charge.

We have opticians in every high street providing the same quality of healthcare to every customer regardless of whether they pay cash or receive a voucher against the cost of the service.

However we have a crisis with few people able to find a dentist who will provide services paid for via the national insurance scheme. Many people don't visit their dentist until their health is seriously affected. Certainly not every 6/9 months as recommended. I haven't been invited for a routine checkup in over six years. I'm not certain how to access emergency dental services in Wales.

True "Universal Healthcare" is healthcare provided free of charge in every country, county, and community, throughout the UK. It shouldn't matter who provides that service. It should be free and available at the time we need it NOT at the time the healthcare provider gets around to it!

#UniversalHealthcare #NHS #NHSWales #nhswalesproblems #NHS111 #NHS111Wales #111Wales #WellPharmacy #PublicHealthWales

Call to scrap VAT on sunscreen as skin cancer rates rise in Wales

The South Wales West politician pressed Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford in the Senedd this week after earlier calls to treat sunscreen as a health essential rather than a cosmetic product.

Mr Drakeford confirmed that Treasury officials had told Welsh Government there were “no plans” to change VAT rules. But he added he was prepared to raise the issue again with new ministers in London, following Ms Williams’ intervention.

“Not a luxury”

Ms Williams said sunscreen should be seen as a life‑saving product, not a luxury item:

“Skin cancer is almost entirely preventable, and yet it currently accounts for almost half of all cancers in Wales. The high cost is stopping some people from practising good skin safety – trying to make it go further by not applying enough, not regularly enough, or not at all.”

She added that removing VAT could encourage more people to use sunscreen properly and reduce pressure on the NHS.

Cancer rates and cost concerns

• Wales has the highest rate of skin cancer of any UK nation, according to Public Health Wales.
• Research by the charity Melanoma Focus found half of people in the UK think sunscreen is too expensive, while one in ten don’t use it at all because of the cost.

What happens next

Mr Drakeford told the Senedd he would be “willing to raise the point” again with the Treasury, given the arguments put forward and recent changes in personnel.

Campaigners say the move could make a practical difference to families struggling with the cost of living, while also helping to cut avoidable cancer cases.

Related sun safety stories

New study says Welsh primary school pupils need to get ‘sunproofed’
Swansea University research found fewer than half of Welsh primary schools have a sun safety policy in place for pupils.

Boots will no longer sell its own-brand sun cream with an SPF lower than 15
High street chemist Boots phases out lower SPF products to encourage safer sun protection, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.

Popular sunscreens failing to live up to sun protection claims, Which? reveals
Consumer tests found some big-name products did not meet their advertised SPF or UVA protection levels.

Health board issues warning after child sunburn cases at Swansea hospital burns unit
Doctors at Morriston Hospital urged parents to take extra care after several youngsters were admitted with severe sunburn.

#HMTreasury #MarkDrakeford #MelanomaFocus #PublicHealthWales #SionedWilliamsMS #skinCancer #sunscreen #suntan #suntanLotion #tax #UKGovernment #VAT #WelshGovernment

Second Welsh health board urges MMR uptake amid rising measles threat

Hywel Dda University Health Board is urging young people and families across west Wales to check their MMR vaccination status and book appointments this August, following a recent child death in England and a sharp rise in measles cases across Europe.

The warning comes just weeks after similar appeals from Swansea Bay University Health Board and Public Health Wales, highlighting gaps in immunisation among socially active age groups.

The call to action targets 11–24-year-olds, particularly those entering college, university or the workforce. These groups are considered at higher risk of transmission due to lower recorded vaccination rates and increased social contact.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda, said: “Measles is not a mild illness – it can lead to serious complications, especially in children and vulnerable individuals. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we can protect ourselves and our communities.”

The health board is offering appointments at local clinics across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire throughout August. Anyone unsure of their vaccination status or who knows they’ve missed a dose is encouraged to come forward.

Appointments can be booked by calling 0300 303 8322 (option 1) or emailing ask.hdd@wales.nhs.uk.

The renewed push follows a modelling report from Public Health Wales showing that some Welsh communities, especially in university towns like Swansea, Cardiff and Aberystwyth, may be vulnerable to sustained outbreaks. The European Region has reported 127,350 measles cases in 2024, the highest in over 25 years.

Swansea Bay News previously reported on the risks posed by unvaccinated teens and students in the region, warning that gaps in MMR coverage could trigger the next outbreak: 🔗 Swansea’s MMR gaps: Why unvaccinated teens and students could trigger next outbreak

#GermanMeasles #howToStopMeaslesSpreading #HywelDdaNHS #measles #measlesRisk #measlesSymptomsAndProtection #preventMeaslesOutbreaks #PublicHealthWales #vaccination

Port Talbot communities show resilience amid Tata Steel transition, but financial pressures loom

The survey, conducted in early 2025, paints a picture of solidarity and emotional resilience among residents of Neath Port Talbot, even as the fallout from Tata Steel’s restructuring continues to ripple through the region. The findings come just months after Swansea Bay News reported on the final shutdown of Blast Furnace 4 and the £1.25 billion investment in a new electric arc furnace — a move that promises a greener future but has already led to over 2,000 job losses.

According to the survey, 91% of respondents said they could rely on family and friends for support, and 83% felt their social relationships positively impacted their health and wellbeing. Despite the upheaval, 74% said their lives felt worthwhile, and 72% reported feeling happy — indicators that Public Health Wales describes as “key protective factors” in community resilience.

However, the emotional strength of the community is being tested by growing financial pressures. 15% of respondents said they had needed financial support in the past six months, with 60% of that support coming from informal networks like family and friends. Looking ahead, 74% of households expect to face financial strain, particularly with energy bills (56%), food costs (44%), and housing (26%).

Awareness of formal support services remains patchy. Just 32% of respondents knew financial support was available locally, although awareness was higher for mental health services (49%) and alcohol and drug support (42%). Digital platforms are key to outreach, with social media (57%), websites (26%), and email (24%) cited as preferred channels for accessing information.

The survey also explored perceptions of the Tata Steel transition. While only 8% said they or someone in their household was directly affected, 44% knew someone impacted. The community’s concerns were clear: 89% believed employment opportunities would suffer, 83% feared a decline in mental health, and 73% worried about a loss of community spirit. The only area seen as improving was air quality (76%), following the closure of coal-powered blast furnaces.

Professor Alisha Davies, Head of Research and Evaluation at Public Health Wales, said: “While the survey highlights the pressures residents are facing, it also shows the resilience, solidarity and community spirit that helps shape Neath Port Talbot. Such support will enable the area to retain that strength and spirit through this transition phase and into the future.”

The survey was developed in partnership with the Tata Steel UK Transition Board, which has been tasked with overseeing the £100 million support package for affected workers, businesses and communities. Marie Davies, Chair of the Board’s Community Relations and Wellbeing Workstream, said the findings would help shape future support services: “We continue to work on the essential building blocks for health of those affected and the next generation, through education, employment, housing and leisure opportunities.”

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Cllr Steve Hunt echoed the sentiment, pointing to the £19.8 million Employment and Skills Fund now in place. “This survey sets out well the particular local impact felt by communities in Neath Port Talbot,” he said. “I urge anyone affected to find out more at npt.gov.uk/TataTransition or visit the drop-in venues in Aberafan Shopping Centre.”

As Swansea Bay News has previously reported, the transition to electric arc steelmaking is expected to be completed by 2028, with Tata Steel promising a greener, more sustainable future for the site. But for many in Port Talbot, the road ahead remains uncertain — and the strength of community ties may prove to be the most vital asset of all.

#CllrSteveHunt #community #featured #jobs #PortTalbot #PortTalbotSteelworks #PublicHealthWales #TataSteel

Wales v South Africa: Highest levels of cocaine found in wastewater

https://www.guilfordco.wales/wales-v-south-africa-highest-levels-of-cocaine-found-in-wastewater/

#Wastewater #Cocaine #Rugby #BournemouthUniversity #PublicHealthWales #Wales