Gwersyllt Community Council

• 22 February 2021 – 1pm – LGBTQ+ experiences of using and accessing Mental Health Services in North Wales
• 22 February 2021 – 6pm - Accessing Mental Health Services during Covid-19
• 24 February 2021 – 6pm – Agriculture community experiences of using and accessing Mental Health Services in North Wales.

Mr Geoff Ryall-Harvey, Chief Officer for NWCHC said “This is an opportunity for people to have a say in the future of mental health care in North Wales.  It is vital that we present the experiences and suggestions of all those who use mental health services to those who make decisions and policies”

Mr Ryall-Harvey went on to say “We want to hear from as many as possible about experiences of Mental Health Services across North Wales.  The events will be structured around a number of aspects such as compliments, concerns, and complaints, care planning, care provision and communication.  We understand that in some instances, people might wish to share experiences in a more confidential way and we will ensure that there is an opportunity for such discussions to take place privately”.

Should you wish to attend any of the events or for further information please contact the North Wales Community Health Council on tel: 01248 679284 (nb there is an answerphone system in operation – please leave a message and a member of our team will be in touch) or e-mail yourvoice@wales.nhs.uk

Help us to better understand COVID-19

Have you changed your day-to-day life to prevent you, or a loved one, from catching the Coronavirus? If so, we would like to know how and if you think your actions worked.

Have you become ill with Coronavirus or Coronavirus-like symptoms since the pandemic started? If so, we would like to know the treatments you have tried and if you think they helped.

To help beat COVID-19 and to take part in a survey by the University of Southampton - please click here: www.rtocovid19.com

As a thank you for your participation between now and March 2021 we are awarding over 60 vouchers (ranging from £5 to £500) as prizes to be won. See the survey for further details.

Community Agent

Gwersyllt Community Council's Community Agent is Justine and she can provide information, support and signposting advice for older people in the local community. Justine can be contacted on 07756 387021.

North Wales Hospitals

Visiting at all North Wales hospitals has been suspended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

From Thursday 26th March visiting patients who are not infected with COVID-19 will only be permitted in the following circumstances:

• One parent or guardian for paediatric (Children’s Ward) inpatients and neonatal wards
• One visitor at a time for an agreed amount of time to patients receiving end of life care. Permission from the ward sister or charge nurse must be obtained in advance.
• One birthing partner from the same household to support a woman in labour will be permitted

Other exceptions may be provided in special circumstances at the discretion of ward sister/charge nurses or managers, based on advice from our Infection Prevention Control Team.

No visitors or birthing partners should attend hospital if they are unwell or displaying the symptoms of COVID-19, which are a new, continuous cough and high temperature.

No visitors who are pregnant, under the age of 12 years, or is deemed to fall into a high risk category will be permitted.

All visitors must adhere to the social distancing guidelines as far as possible and must adhere to strict hand hygiene and infection control precautions on arriving and leaving. Visitors must not visit any other patients or hospital facilities en route.

The Health Board is also encouraging family and friends of patients under our care to consider alternative ways of keeping in touch, including the use of our hospitals’ free WiFi to use FaceTime or video calling.

Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Gill Harris said:  “We understand the importance of patients staying in contact with their loved ones. But the safety of our patients and staff is paramount, and it is crucial that we take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of infection in our hospitals.

 “If you can’t be there in person, we do offer free WiFi throughout our hospitals. So for those with access to smartphones or tablets, we would encourage virtual visiting as a great way to keep in touch, where appropriate.”