GWENDA THOMAS AM ENDORSES THE “NEVER SAY DIE” PRINCIPLE.

During the recent Assembly Recess, Gwenda Thomas AM included as part of her holiday reading, the recently published “Never Say Die” written by one of her constituents, Melanie Davies and co-writer Lynne Barrett Lee.

Gwenda said “I recommend this book. I found it a humorous, poignant and humbling read of the true life story of a very remarkable friend. I have known Melanie and her husband Mike for many years and enjoyed reading the book and discovering things that I wasn’t aware of about Melanie’s life”

Gwenda continued “I am also aware of all the work that both Melanie and Mike continue to do regarding the TREAT Trust Wales, the charity that Melanie set up, following her accident. She decided that she wanted to have a facility nearer to her home which was similar to the Wales Sports Centre for the Disabled which was set up in conjunction with Rookwood Hospital. Whilst she was campaigning to make her vision a reality Melanie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and because of this she expanded her strategy to include not just disabled people but anyone who had a life changing condition. The facility could be a venue where all might benefit from physical and social re-inclusion in society. The vision that Melanie and Mike have for the facility is that it is based on a health and well-being centre model where there is a warm and welcoming atmosphere not just for the sufferer but also their family and friends enabling them to participate together”.

To give you some of the background, Gwenda continued “TREAT Trust Wales was approached in 2008 by the Chairman (Win Griffiths) and the then Chief Executive (Paul Williams) of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust and asked to consider siting the TREAT building on an area of land at the redevelopment of Morriston Hospital. It was suggested that the land would be made available for a long-term lease at a peppercorn rent.

The proposal was taken to a full meeting of the board of ABM jn October 2008 and the collaboration ratified.

Representatives of ABM and TREAT Trust Wales subsequently met to review suitable potential areas of land and agreed on a plot in the south-east corner of the campus.

Productive meetings have followed between the charity and the Planning Department of the Health Authority (now Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board) outlining the footprint and provisional content of the proposed building. A joint visit to the Aspire Centre in Stanmore helped to inform the deliberations.

Clearance of the area of land will be due within a couple of years and this area will be reserved subject to TREAT Trust Wales demonstrating that they will be in a position to begin construction by the year 2014 and thereafter to maintain and run the facility”

“I wish to commend the bravery and commitment of Mel and Mike and to ask for your readers’ support for the TREAT Trust Wales.”

GWENDA THOMAS AM HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN ABM HEALTHCARE TRUST IN RESPECT OF SERVICES AT NEATH PORT TALBOT HOSPITAL
Gwenda Thomas stated: I have every confidence in ABM, as they have a very good track record in improving patient care through modernising hospital services. This has always been done previously with discussion and the consent of individuals, such as staff, involved.
There has been talk of a downgrading of the hospital, but as the hospital is in the middle of a consultation process, this is alarmist, and will upset both members of staff and the public. Community health councils, who look after the patients’ and communities interests and other stakeholders, will all be involved in this process, so an equitable solution, I am sure will be reached. The greater wellbeing and improved care of patients must be the end goal of any consultation.
Furthermore, the Minister for Health and Social Services, Edwina Hart, as well as issuing guidance, intends to raise this matter formally with the chair of ABM Healthcare Trust, and she guarantees that the board will undertake any consultations required.

Gwenda Welcomes Continued Fall in Crime Figures

New figures show that crime has fallen across South Wales in the last year. This comes despite predictions over the last few months of a recession-linked crime wave.

Gwenda Thomas said: “The drop in the crime rate is good news; South Wales Police have performed really well, with a drop of 10%, as opposed to 3% for the whole of Wales, and 6% for the whole of England and Wales. This also shows that our community has not been broken by the recession."

"Labour’s investment in fighting crime has enabled South Wales Police to perform so well, with more policemen, and community support officers on the beat. This is essential to combat crime."

Recorded crime by police force area, English region and Wales, percentage change, between 12 months to September 2008 and 12 months to September 2009
Percentage change

Police force area, English and Wales
Total
South Wales -10
WALES -3
ENGLAND AND WALES -6

GWENDA THOMAS AM welcomes the improvements to the Welsh blue badge scheme


Gwenda Thomas AM said: ‘I welcome the publication made by the Minister for the Economy and Transport of a wide ranging plan to improve the blue badge scheme for disabled parking’.

‘The most important thing about the plan is that eligibility will be extended to new groups of disabled adults and especially children under 3 who need it, thereby improving access and equality of opportunity’.

‘This in line with the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government’s aim to promote greater equality for all’.

GWENDA THOMAS AM WELCOMES THE FACT THAT HOMELESSNESS FIGURES CONTINUE TO FALL.
Gwenda Thomas said: ‘The long term trend showing homelessness figures falling in spite of the recession is excellent news. This shows how effective the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government homelessness prevention policies are. It also reflects the hard work of local authorities like Neath Port Talbot during this difficult economic period’.
‘The Mortgage Rescue Scheme, introduced in June 2008, has been very successful in helping Welsh families. By the end of last November, 215 Mortgage Rescue approvals had been made, (compared with 92 approvals in England), helping 418 adults and 227 children to stay in their homes.’
‘The fact that there has been a drop in the number of families with children from 15% of all households in B&B accommodation to 3% is outstanding, as children need a settled home to achieve their full potential.’
‘I would urge people who are at risk of losing their homes to contact the free Housing Debt Helpline which offers in-depth counselling. The telephone number is: 0800 107 1340.’