The Group took up this issue following responses to parliamentary questions, which revealed that implementation was the responsibility of individual NHS organisations and progress was not monitored centrally.

The Report’s Key Findings:

• Serious challenges to the delivery of psychological services, particularly CBT, to all service users with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, as called for by the Guideline
• Lack of focus on the requirements for more comprehensive services such as assistance with employment and partnerships with relevant local organisations
• Confusion and difficulties in providing improved physical health screening for service users with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
• Inconsistency in the services provided across Trusts and the potential for sharing of good practice in areas such as monitoring adherence to medication

The report highlights the difficulties mental health service users face in accessing what should be basic treatment and the importance in maintaining the growth in funding for mental health services.   The report is based on responses from over half of the mental health trusts in England and Wales.

A copy of the report can be obtained at: www.appg-mentalhealth.org.uk/appgmh-news.html

Philip "Silver fox" Schofield and Eastenders' Heather, actress Cheryl Fergison are backing the Diabetes UK Get Serious campaign

A shocking number of children are being rushed to hospital suffering from a potentially fatal diabetic condition, says the National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru, Dai Williams.

More than 120 children in Wales were admitted to accident and emergency departments in a year with a potentially fatal diabetic complication, leading health charity Diabetes UK Cymru warns today.

One hundred and twenty one children out of the 1,419 children and young people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in Wales were admitted to hospital with potentially life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), according to the latest available figures.

DKA happens when blood glucose levels are high (hyperglycaemia) and causes nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, rapid breathing and, if left untreated, may lead to coma and death. It requires urgent hospital treatment.

The UK has the fourth highest incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children (25 per 100,000 a year) in Europe and the lowest number of children attaining good diabetes control.

Diabetes UK Cymru is concerned that in many cases DKA occurs because Type 1 diabetes is not diagnosed early enough.

Dai Williams, National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “It’s shocking to see such high numbers of children being rushed to A&E with this life-threatening complication in Wales.

“We know from our previous research that specialist diabetes staff report an increase in emergency hospital admissions whenever there are cuts in services.

“Children and their parents desperately need better access to paediatric specialist diabetes teams.

“The number of emergency admissions could be reduced significantly with investment in appropriate care, diabetes advice and practical self-management support.

“The quality of life for children with diabetes is at stake so we must act now.”

The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include increased thirst, extreme tiredness, weight loss, blurred vision, genital itching and passing water frequently (particularly in night).

In Type 1 diabetes, these symptoms happen faster than Type 2 diabetes, often within a matter of weeks.

A 2008 Diabetes UK Cymru poster warning about the symptoms of DKA is available free of charge from: Diabetes UK Cymru on 029 20668276 or email wales@diabetes.org.uk.

Some women are both say Cardiff Uni

A joint Cardiff University and NHS study designed to establish whether encouraging obese pregnant women to eat more healthily and take more exercise has a positive impact on both mother and child has received a £1M funding boost.

The Healthy Eating and Lifestyle in Pregnancy (HELP) project, funded by the National Prevention Research Initiative, will see researchers from Cardiff University’s Department of Primary Care and Public Health work alongside NHS midwives and ‘Slimming World’ consultants to help encourage obese pregnant women to moderate their weight gain during pregnancy and lose weight after the birth of their child by eating healthily and doing regular exercise.

Obesity in pregnancy remains a growing problem with an estimated 1 in 5 women in the UK attending antenatal care being defined as obese. Obesity is linked to increased risk of complications during pregnancy or childbirth and, in some cases, can result in pregnancy-induced hypertension, induction of labour and caesarean section.

Being overweight or obese has also been identified as a factor in more than half of maternal deaths between 2003-2005 and antenatal care costs are higher in overweight and obese women.

Dr Sharon Simpson from Cardiff University’s Department of Primary Care and Public Health, who will lead the study, said: “Pregnancy is a key time of change in women’s lives, when intervening on diet and physical activity could have a long term impact on both mother and child. This study is a novel way of working, involving a partnership between the NHS and a commercial organisation, to deliver an intervention which we hope will help women to manage their weight.”

Karen Jewell, Consultant Midwife with Cardiff and Vale ULHB and advisor to the HELP study said: “Initial findings from a pilot study have been encouraging; we found that receiving this type of advice has helped pregnant women moderate their weight gain, whereas during previous pregnancies they’ve gained up to five stone. Not putting on additional weight has allowed them to enjoy a normal birth and given them more confidence.”

“Midwives and Obstetricians are keen to support women in addressing lifestyle changes in pregnancy as this is important, not just for pregnancy, but for their future family’s health. “

The study, which starts in January 2010, aims to recruit 570 women through 20 recruitment centres across England and Wales.

The results of the study will be published in 2013 and, if successful, it is hoped the project will be rolled-out to maternity units across England and Wales.

The HELP study will be supported by the South East Wales Trials Unit based in Cardiff University’s School of Medicine at the University Hospital of Wales.

Achievement of the award is being seen as an important step in ensuring Cardiff continues to develop as one of the best places to live in the country and provides a real opportunity for a range of agencies working across the city to improve the health and well being of local people.

The Council, with NHS and partners recognised that good health is our greatest asset and together they identified the Healthy Cities approach as the way forward to create a healthier Cardiff. Applying for ‘Healthy City’ status was supported by Cardiff’s Proud Capital Vision Forum, with the Cardiff Health Alliance acting as the lead partnership.

The application involved a range of partners working together to develop a portfolio for submission, outlining existing and new projects being run across Cardiff, designed to improve everyone’s health and tackle the health inequalities experienced by some members of the community. However, this is not something the Council and Health Service can do alone.Everybody and every organisation need to be involved and share the responsibility for good health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle

In achieving designation as a Healthy City and becoming part of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, Cardiff Council has pledged that health will be a key part of the Council’s agenda.

Cardiff Council Executive Member for Health, Social Care and Well Being, Councillor John Dixon, said: “Joining the Healthy Cities Network isn’t recognition that everyone in Cardiff is now healthy – it’s a promise that physical, mental and emotional health is a priority for all of us. It brings together all of the strands of work of the Council – economic, environment, social and education – and integrates them with the work of the Health Service, the Police, the voluntary and private sectors.

We plan to start the Healthy City programme by addressing the issue of obesity through the Healthy City. Obesity is potentially the next big killer, which can leave people with chronic health problems like diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, as well as increasing risks from heart disease and strokes. Our answer can’t be to just treat people through the NHS and send them home again, but rather to design our city, educate people and provide opportunities that stop people developing these problems in the first place.

That means that whatever services we plan and deliver both individually, and together, we have to have an eye on what the effect will be on improving the health, and reducing health inequalities in the city.”

”I am delighted that Cardiff is the first city in Wales to achieve WHO Healthy Cities status. This gives us an opportunity to share what we learn with other Welsh Councils; the achievement will send out positive messages, and will enable us to share our ideas and experiences across Wales and Europe.”

David Francis, Chair of the new Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said “The UHB would be taking an active role in supporting the work that will now get underway as part of the Healthy City programme.

The University Health Board has put the health and well being agenda at the heart of the business. Our focus isn’t just on providing treatment and care when people fall ill. We need to work with partners to improve everyone’s health, encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyles and prevent them becoming ill.

Achieving Healthy City status is testament to the dedication and hard work of a committed group of people who are genuinely striving towards improving the health and well being of everyone in Cardiff. This recognition is no mean feat and now provides us with an exciting platform from which to move forward, building on our successes to-date.”

Dr Stephen Monaghan, Local Public Health Director for Cardiff, NPHS, commented “Cardiff is a tale of ‘two cities’, being home to some of the least and most deprived wards in Wales. We know that it can be more difficult for communities and individuals who experience economic and social disadvantage to make healthy lifestyle choices and we hope that the Healthy Cities approach will provide us with a really exciting opportunity to work together to create healthier places for the people of Cardiff to live, work and learn.”

Dr. Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer Welsh Assembly Government said “I am delighted by the news and feel that local authorities across Wales will be keen to learn best practice from this initiative. It is the kind of development which supports our aspirations for “Our Healthy Future” strategic framework and Health Challenge Wales”

The Healthy Cities status will be officially launched in January; the event will bring together key organisations to develop a Healthy Cities plan for the city.

The WHO Healthy Cities programme was launched in 1986 and aims to encourage local governments, with partners and communities, to engage in health development though policies and innovative projects. The programme places special emphasis on health inequalities and encourages local government to factor health implications into economic, regeneration and urban development.

Individuals can learn more about good health and seek advice on local activities from: www.healthchallengecardiff.co.uk

Proud Capital Vision Forum

The Proud Capital Vision Forum is a strategic partnership structure, established to take forward the Proud Capital Community Strategy 2007-2017 and to deliver the city’s vision. The Forum membership includes representatives of public, private and voluntary sector organisations and is chaired by the Leader of the Council.

Cardiff Health Alliance

The Cardiff Health Alliance is the key strategic health and social care partnership in Cardiff with local authority, health services and voluntary sector membership. The Cardiff Health Alliance provides the leadership for the development of the Health Social Care and Well Being Strategy and other health, social care and well being programmes including Healthy Cities and Health Challenge Cardiff.

The demand follows a decision to transfer emergency neurosurgery at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff due to staffing problems earlier this year.

Shadow Health Minister Andrew RT Davies

South Wales Central AM Mr Davies said: “Perhaps the Labour leadership contest has taken her eye off the ball, but the sooner the Health Minister resolves this issue the better.

“The suspension of services in Swansea due to staffing issues was supposed to be a temporary measure. But we are now mid-way through October and there are appears to be no resolution.

“The pressures on the service are growing and there is now a serious danger of neurosurgery services collapsing in South Wales unless action is taken – as was demonstrated by surgeons from UHW during a meeting in the Assembly last week.

“It is vital we have a fully functioning service to ensure patient care is not put at risk.”

Kevin Brennan MP takes RNID's telephone hearing check

Cardiff West MP, Kevin Brennan, has joined RNID Cymru’s call for people to value their hearing and take the charity’s specially developed hearing check.

Kevin Brennan took RNID’s five-minute hearing check, which assesses your ability to hear someone speaking with background noise – similar to being in a crowded room – and helps identify whether you have a hearing loss.

Kevin Brennan MP says: “Many people don’t realise how important their hearing is in their everyday lives, until they start to lose it. I’m lending my voice to RNID Cymru’s Hearing Matters campaign, which is encouraging you to look after your hearing by visiting www.rnid.org.uk/check or dialling 0844 800 3838 and take immediate action to avoid experiencing unnecessary isolation from friends, family and colleagues.”

Director of RNID Cymru, Richard Williams, says: “On average, people take 15 years to deal with their hearing loss and, in that time, a person’s quality of life can be greatly reduced. We urge people in Cardiff to follow Kevin Brennan’s example and take RNID’s check today, so that you can start addressing any hearing loss and ensure you don’t miss out on leading a fulfilling and active life.”

Alexandra Burke: supports Diabetes UK’s My Voice campaign

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke is calling on young people affected by diabetes in Wales to join leading health charity Diabetes UK’s new young campaigners network.

The X Factor winner, whose mother has Type 2 diabetes and had kidney failure last year, is launching Diabetes UK’s My Voice campaign to encourage and support young people under the age of 18 to get their views heard by politicians and decision makers.

My Voice campaigners will join together to campaign on issues and challenges faced by young people with diabetes.

This will involve both national and local campaigning to ensure that they are heard by decision makers at all levels across Wales and the UK.

Activities can include sending a letter to your MP, helping your school to understand more about diabetes, or attending a high profile event at the Welsh Assembly.

Alexandra, 21, said: “I fully support Diabetes UK’s My Voice campaigners network because I really believe that young people have the power to make a difference.

“The fantastic thing about My Voice is that young people will not only help campaign for real improvements but will have the chance to develop and learn skills, meet new people and have fun doing it too.”

Alexandra’s mum, Soul II Soul singer Melissa Bell, has Type 2 diabetes.

While Alexandra was singing in the final stages of X Factor last year her mum was being treated for kidney failure, just one of the serious complications of diabetes.

My Voice campaigners receive a letter from Alexandra and a free bag containing a badge, stickers and information about campaigning.

They will also receive regular updates, opportunities and ideas on how to get involved.

Dai Williams, National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “There are currently around 1,000 children and young people with diabetes in Wales.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for them and their friends and family to get involved and make a real difference, working with us to get the care and respect they are entitled to and deserve.

“We are encouraging all young people to join My Voice – so whether you have diabetes yourself or have a friend, brother or sister with the condition, become a My Voice campaigner today.”

Diabetes is a serious condition and more than 146,000 people have been diagnosed with the condition in Wales.

A further 50,000 may have the condition and not know it.

If not managed effectively it can lead to serious long-term complications including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation.

Diabetes UK’s mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and work towards a future without the condition.

Smoking during pregnancy was found to be associated with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms in the children.

Mothers who smoke during pregnancy put their children at greater risk of developing psychotic symptoms in their teenage years.

New research, led by Dr Stanley Zammit of the School of Medicine, shows a link between maternal tobacco use and psychotic symptoms.

Researchers from Cardiff, Bristol, Nottingham and Warwick Universities studied 6,356 12-year-olds from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. All the children completed an interview for psychotic-like symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. Just over 11% of the children (734) had suspected or definite symptoms of psychosis.

Smoking during pregnancy was found to be associated with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms in the children. The researchers observed a ‘dose-response effect’, meaning that the risk of psychotic symptoms was highest in the children whose mothers smoked the most heavily during pregnancy.

The reasons for the link between maternal tobacco use and psychotic symptoms are uncertain. But the researchers suggest that exposure to tobacco in the womb may have an indirect impact by affecting children’s impulsivity, attention or cognition. They have called for further studies to investigate how exposure to tobacco in utero affects on the development and function of children’s brains.

It is estimated that between 15 and 20 per cent of women in the UK continue to smoke during their pregnancy.

Dr Stanley Zammit, a psychiatrist at the School of Medicine and lead author of the study, said: “In our cohort, approximately 19 per cent of adolescents who were interviewed had mothers who smoked during pregnancy.

“If our results are non-biased and reflect a causal relationship, we can estimate that about 20 per cent of adolescents in this cohort would not have developed psychotic symptoms if their mothers had not smoked. Therefore, maternal smoking may be an important risk factor in the development of psychotic experiences in the population.”

The study, published in the October issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, also examined whether alcohol use and cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of psychotic symptoms.

Drinking during pregnancy was associated with increased psychotic symptoms, but only in the children of mothers who had drunk more than 21 units of alcohol a week in early pregnancy. Only a few mothers in the study said they had smoked cannabis during pregnancy, and this was not found to have any significant association with psychotic symptoms.