Tag Archives: Welsh Government

Maggie’s Centres are based in the grounds of large cancer centres and provide emotional and practical support for people with cancer, their families and friends. They are independent but work in partnership with the NHS across the UK.

The centre announced today will be based at the current Velindre Cancer Centre in Whitchurch. The Centre will provide a cancer support service for people in South East Wales with a new permanent solution being delivered as part of the new Velindre cancer hospital development which is due to open in 2022. Opportunities to re-locate and re-use the centre are being explored. 

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: 

“Many of us know someone who has battled cancer and have seen first hand the impact it has on not only them, but also their friends and families. 

“Maggie’s Centres do excellent work in providing professional support and advice for those with cancer and those whose lives have been touched by the disease. That is why I am pleased to be able to announce this new funding today.

“We know that cancer is affecting increasing numbers of people in Wales. We are proud that cancer survival rates continue to improve, but we know there is always more work to do.  

“We are committed to continuing to improve and to deliver the best treatment and care to people with cancer in Wales. Our updated cancer delivery plan recognises the vital importance of delivering person-centred cancer care.

“Alongside improvements in cancer survival, we are pleased to be working with Maggie’s to help ensure services meet people’s needs. The funding I have announced today will help us deliver the best care to people affected by cancer in south east Wales.”

Laura Lee, Maggie’s Chief Executive said: 

“We are absolutely delighted to hear that Welsh Government has approved funding for the development of Maggie’s Cardiff which will be located at Velindre Cancer Centre. 

“We are very excited to establish a much-needed Maggie’s Centre at Velindre which will serve the whole population of South East Wales. 

“Over the last few years more and more people have been travelling significant distances to Maggie’s Swansea to seek our support, so we are thrilled at the opportunity to create a second centre in Wales.”  

Sir Roger Jones, Chairman of Maggie’s Fundraising Board said: 

“When I first walked through the door of Maggie’s Swansea, I saw that it was an oasis of excellence, an environment that soothed and calmed with caring and knowledgeable staff who have what the clinicians don’t have – time; time to help people, their families and friends through their cancer experience. With the support of Welsh Government, it’s wonderful to be able to bring Maggie’s to Cardiff and the people of South East Wales.”

Andrea Hague, Director of Cancer Services at Velindre said: 

“Maggie’s Centres provide a very valuable and welcomed support service for patients and their families, helping them through their experiences with cancer. 

“The prospect of a Maggie’s Cardiff being on our doorstep at Velindre, enabling our patients to have easy and convenient access to these additional support services, is great news.”  

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Ann Lloyd CBE has been appointed Chair of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. She replaces David Jenkins, and will commence her four year term of office during June 2017. 

Jan Williams OBE has been appointed Chair of Public Health Wales NHS Trust. She replaces Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, and will commence her four year term of office on 5 September 2017.

Professor Marcus Longley has been appointed Chair of Cwm Taf University Health Board. He replaces Dr Chris Jones, and will commence his four year term of office on 1 October 2017.

Vaughan Gething said:

“I’m very pleased to appoint Ann Lloyd, Jan Williams and Marcus Longley to their new roles.

“I attach great importance to the appointment of chairs, who are chosen for their skills and experience, and for the contribution they can make to the work of the Health Board.  

“I am confident they have the necessary skills to take on what are challenging roles, and look forward to working with them to deliver the Welsh Government’s ambitious programme to create a healthy and active Wales.”

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published. No political activity has been declared.

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Health Service employees in the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Public Health Wales staff in North East Wales are the second group of staff to get an opportunity to ask Mr Gething questions about the health service at a Cabinet Connect event.

The Q&A session will be held at the Wrexham Medical Institute.

Vaughan Gething said:

“One of the greatest things about being Wales’ health secretary is being able to meet NHS staff across the length and breadth of Wales on a weekly basis. Their dedication and commitment to providing often life-saving healthcare never ceases to amaze me.

“I’m really pleased to be in north Wales today to give frontline staff the opportunity to meet me, ask me questions and discuss the issues in the health service that are important to them.

“Our NHS staff simply wouldn’t function without our staff. The Welsh Government’s commitment to working with them is clear. We need to continue working together to ensure we develop the NHS to meet the needs of people both now and in the years to come.”

Cabinet Connect builds on the success of the Carwyn Connect events, which the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones has used to meet and get the views of people across Wales.

Dr Peter Higson, Chairman of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said:

“We are delighted to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to Wrexham for this event.  The demands on the NHS are greater than they have ever been and every day our staff are giving their all to care for the people of North Wales.

“Having the Cabinet Secretary take the time to come and meet staff face to face in this way shows that their efforts are recognised and appreciated at the highest level, and I am sure that colleagues will welcome the opportunity to put their questions to Mr Gething.”

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After being placed in a women’s refuge, 33-year-old mother-of-three Laura Harris moved to Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taff. She knew no-one in the area so decided to enrol in college at Coleg y Cymoedd and began her learning journey in 2015. 

Laura started with an Access to Humanities course and progressed onto Level 3 Business & Administration. Determined to succeed, Laura excelled at her studies, achieving distinctions in her coursework. 

Laura has received the Overall Learner of the Year as well as the Health and Wellbeing category at this year’s Inspire! Awards in recognition of her transformation into a confident and successful student progressing to university, having secured a place to study events management at the University of South Wales in September. 

Mum to Tyler, 15, and 10-year-old twin girls, Laura said: 

“I had a troubled childhood. I didn’t go to school and had a difficult relationship with my mother. It was no surprise when I was made homeless and ended up walking the streets of Swansea trying to find shelter at 14 years old. 

“I used drugs to escape from my life but they made me psychotic and frightened. I got pregnant at 17 and was given my own property and came off drugs and started to turn my life around. I met my partner and all was alright until he became controlling. 

“I was placed in a women’s refuge and was transferred to Aberdare, an area where I knew no-one but I was safe. I wanted to get an education to help my son with his school work. I began at Coleg y Cymoedd and have never looked back. 

“I relish learning and nothing feels more rewarding than the pride I feel achieving distinctions in my work. I have been accepted to university next academic year which is something I thought I would never ever do.”

The Inspire! Awards are hosted each year ahead of Adult Learners’ Week to celebrate the achievements of outstanding learners in Wales who have shown exceptional passion, commitment and drive for learning; often in the face of difficult circumstances, as well as employers who champion learning in the workplace.

Organised by Learning and Work Institute Wales with the financial backing of the Welsh Government and the European Social Fund, this year’s Adult Learners’ Week runs from 19–25 June and celebrates lifelong learning; whether work-based, as part of a community education course, at college, university or online.

Now celebrating its 26th year, it aims to promote the range of courses available to adult learners; from computing and childcare to business and languages.

Laura has used her challenging background to help others. As a result of the trauma of her past life, Laura suffers panic attacks. As part of a theatre workshop Laura devised a DVD which features her experiences on relationships and domestic violence. The DVD was rolled out across schools and colleges in Rhondda Cynon Taff and won a National Union of Students Enterprise award in 2016.

Laura Wilson, welfare officer at Coleg y Cymoedd, nominated Laura for the Inspire! Awards. She says: 

“Laura is definitely inspiring others through her youth work. Laura sees the college as her family. It’s such a small and friendly campus, she’s got to know lots of people here and that’s helped increase her confidence.”

Laura Harris adds: 

“My message to anyone who suffers from mental health, alcohol and drug problems like I did is that the answer is education. It has transformed my life and that feels amazing. 

“My mum has come back into my life. She’s really proud of me. She’s amazed by the transformation in me and I now feel complete.

“I’m overwhelmed at winning this award, I’m excited and I’m proud. I’ve proved to myself and others that I can do it.”

Commenting on the Inspire! Awards, Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James, said: 

“Laura’s story captures the true spirit of the Inspire! Awards, proving how empowering education can be, no matter your age or background. It is learners like her that provide an excellent example for others, overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in their own lives to inspire potential adult learners across Wales. I would like to congratulate her and all the other winners on their outstanding achievements.

“We hope that Adult Learners’ Week will encourage adults to find out more about improving their skills and enhancing their career options by taking part in the range of free events happening across Wales. Adults can also access the Skills Gateway to get careers advice and guidance, whether they want to improve their skills and employability, access training, or get back into work.”

David Hagendyk, Director of Learning and Work Institute Wales, said: 

“The Inspire! Awards show how learning can really change lives. We hope people feel empowered by the winners’ stories and make the most of Adult Learners’ Week to get involved in local opportunities and seize the moment – whether you are stuck in a rut, want to make a change or brush up on your skills, Adult Learners’ Week could be just the boost you need to help improve your current situation through learning.”

Other winners include Arthur J Gallagher, who won the Small Employer category, Stuart Hughes, who won the Into Work category, Nina Miklaszewicz, winner of the Progression category, Nutica Neascu, winner of the Family Learning Individual category, Jimama Ansumana, winner of the Young Adult category, Christopher Joyce, winner of the Life or Career Change Category, Ceredigion Council, winner of the Large Business category, Treorchy Primary, winner of the Family Learning Project category, and 3Gs Only Men Allowed, winners of the Community Project category.

For more information on Adult Learners’ Week, go to the Welsh Government’s Skills Gateway for Adults (external link), call 0800 028 4844 or follow @skillsgatewaycw.

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The Education Workforce Council: Teacher Education Accreditation Committee, which will be known as ‘the board’, will accredit individual Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes.

The newly appointed Chair is Professor John Furlong, Emeritus Professor of Education, Oxford University Department of Education, and Emeritus Fellow of Green Templeton College, Oxford.

Professor Olwen Mcnamara, Professor of Teacher Education, University of Manchester and Dr Aine Lawlor, former CEO of the Teaching Council Ireland will be Deputy Chairs. These appointments will run from 12 June 2017 to 31 May 2022.

The Welsh Government has announced new rules for the courses that train teachers as part of the drive to attract the best talent to the profession. The changes for ITE include strengthening how schools and universities work together and increasing the role of research.

The latest accreditation criteria are part of the Welsh Government’s national mission to reform education and include:

• an increased role for schools
• a clearer role for universities
• structured opportunities to link school and university learning
• a greater emphasis on research.

The changes build on the new professional teaching and leadership standards and link to the wider education reforms taking place in Wales. Pivotal to success is this very different approach to the professional education of the teaching workforce.

Kirsty Williams said:

“I am delighted to announce Professor John Furlong as Chair and Professor Olwen Mcnamara and Dr Aine Lawlor as Deputy Chairs of the new Teacher Education Accreditation Committee.

“This new board will allow more specific consideration of how ITE programmes will raise the quality of provision – attracting the right people with the right qualifications and an aptitude for teaching, to enter the profession.

“These changes and the new accreditation standards are part of our national mission to raise the standards and standing of the profession.”

The EWC is currently recruiting (external link) members to join the Board.

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