AM & MP see community services in action

Llanelli Labour AM Keith Davies and MP Nia Griffith have seen at first hand two pioneering services that put Llanelli at the forefront of health provision in west Wales.

A visit arranged by Hywel Dda Vice-Chair Sian-Marie James who hails from Llanelli allowed Keith and Nia to see how more people seeking a range of treatment can avail of services like blood tranfusions or on-going drug treatments in their own home.

The Acute Response Team (ART) based at Prince Philip Hospital work across the county ensuring patients receive services that could have otherwise resulted in a lengthy hospital stay.

Keith Davies AM said:

“The Acute Response Team is doing a great job in Llanelli as part of the overall mix of services available to the people of the whole area. Last year alone they provided treatment to 420 patients who otherwise would have ended up staying in hospital. That included a single mother who needed on-going injections to treat a serious medical condition. Had the service not been available, it would have resulted in a very difficult period for her and her children.”

“It is a welcome addition to the range of services that are available. However, I don’t think it is a replacement for hospital beds which must continue to be available to meet demand.”

Nia Griffith MP said:

“Whilst health service staff do an amazing job both in our hospital and out in the community as the work of the Acute Response Team shows, there is a real need for better communication, as many people are simply not aware of the services that are available. I’ve just had some leaflets to display about the help that pharmacists can give, and we also discussed the need for ALL GPs’ surgeries to make it easy for patients to get appointments. But people also want to know that good community services will be backed up with hospital services here at Prince Philip.”

Picture: Keith Davies AM and Nia Griffith MP pictured with the Acute Response Team based at Prince Philip Hospital.