Llais Blog
Welcome to the Llais blog - here you will find stories on how our regional teams are making a real difference in improving health and social care services
09.10.2024: Llais Complaints Advocates push for better dental care
The parent of Ms X approached our Llais Neath Port Talbot and Swansea team for complaints advocacy after Ms X’s dental practice cancelled six separate appointments for treatment.
Ms X was in significant pain and struggling to cope. She urgently needed painful teeth removed but the appointments kept on being cancelled.
Read more >>
09.10.2024: Tragic loss leads to review of GP practice
Our complaints advocates supported Ms X’s complaint about the care of her father, Mr A.
After running into the GP surgery with severe chest pains, sweating and yellow in colour, Mr A was told to attend A&E and show the slip given to him by the GP.
Leaving the surgery in his minibus with his elderly mother, he planned to go to A&E after finishing his work. Mr A suffered a massive heart attack at the wheel, crashing into a wall.
He sadly died at the scene.
Read more >>
09.10.2024: Pushing for the best possible cancer care in Cardiff and The Vale
Cardiff and the Vale published a well-received ‘Living with Cancer’ report in April. The report highlighted the positive feedback we received from people regarding their care, and Velindre Cancer Centre has issued a letter of thanks, along with an Improvement Plan to address some of the outcomes of the report.
24.09.2024: Equal Pay Act
In 1970, the UK Government passed the Equal Pay Act. This prevented men and women from being treated differently or unfairly when it comes to pay and work conditions. By the time this law came into force, women had been campaigning for these rights for over 90 years.
At the same time, Black and minority ethnic workers in the UK struggled to find jobs, had less job security, and often worked more for lower pay. Anti-immigration and racist attitudes led to attacks against Black people, and an increase in riots in many cities.
11.09.2024: Working together to make Wales a digitally inclusive nation
In today's digital world, making sure everyone in our communities is included is more important than ever. This month, Cadi Cliff, Programme Manager at Digital Communities Wales, Cwmpas shares her thoughts on the benefits of working together to achieve this.
10.09.2024: Improving Patient Safety: Actions Taken by the Health Board Following a Complaint
Actions have recently been taken at a health board to improve patient safety,
particularly for those with learning difficulties. These changes were identified and
reported through our advocacy service, who helped the patient raise the issue with the Ombudsman. These changes include new staff training and new procedures to benefit all patients before discharge.
Read more >
10.09.2024: Healthcare provision in Cwm Taf Morgannwg Special Schools
Following concerns raised with us by members of the public, our regional CTM team carried out a research study between April and July 2024. We spoke with 84 people in focus groups, a survey and in-depth interviews.
10.09.2024: Having a Baby in Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan
In Summer 2024, Llais’ Cardiff and the Vale team spoke with people about their experiences of having a baby in the local area. There were some key themes that became clear throughout the project, which have been shared with the Health Board.
10.09.2024: Clywed dy lais: Using the Welsh language in health and social care services
Llais had a fantastic time at the Eisteddfod this year, hearing the public’s experiences about health and social care services from across all regions of Wales. We also launched our new survey; Clywed dy Lais, at a panel discussion held in the Welsh Government tent - hosted by more than just words.
In 2022, the Welsh Government put in place a 5-year plan called “More than just words” to make it easier for people to use Welsh in health and social care.
Llais is working with more than just words to see how well health and social care services are using Welsh in day-to-day contacts with the people of Wales.
Do you have any experiences you would like to share with us about using the Welsh language in health and social care services?
Fill out our short survey: https://ow.ly/2XpX50TelHX
11.08.2024: Dementia Project – A joined up approach to services
We spoke to over 200 people about the dementia care they receive from health and social care services in Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.
We made a representation to Neath Port Talbot and Swansea Local Authorities as well as Swansea Bay Health Board and the Regional Partnership Board to: work together to create or further develop jointly funded services that provide advice and support for people living with dementia and their families.
Take a look at Frank and Anne's dementia story:
10.08.2024: Review into Maternity Services at Singleton Hospital
Llais has been listening to women, birthing people and families that received care from Swansea Bay Health Board’s maternity services. What people told us was shared with the Independent Review of Maternity Services, and we asked them to show us how these views shaped their work.
10.08.2024: Advocacy: Waiting Times for Orthopaedic Surgery
We spoke with an 84-year-old man who had been waiting for orthopaedic surgery since early 2019. During that time his ability to get about deteriorated, with even one step leaving him in a lot of pain. He described his quality of life as non-existent. The pain was so bad that he hadn’t had a good night's sleep in over four years.