Swansea Bay NHS

21/11/2025

Over the years, antibiotics have helped to treat a range of infections caused by bacteria.

Can you imagine a world without them?

Act now to slow down antibiotic resistance.

More info: https://phw.nhs.wales/antibiotic-resistance

20/11/2025

A successful trial of paper tourniquets in Morriston Hospital has proven to be kinder to both patients and the planet.

Tourniquets are used for routine medical procedures such as drawing blood and placing cannulas.

The Emergency Department (ED) has run a five-month trial analysing the effect new laminated paper tourniquets have had on its patients, waste and health board finances.

Compared to the previous single-use plastic version supplied from China, the paper device doesn’t have any sharp edges and can also be reused up to five times per patient.

The new paper version, Tournistrips, is also made in the UK, cutting global traffic and reducing the health board’s supply chain environmental emissions.

Tournistrips also come in child-friendly designs which help distract nervous youngsters.

They are now being rolled out further, with the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) also using the paper tourniquets.

Emergency Consultant and one of the health board’s three Sustainable Clinical Leads, Sue West-Jones, said: “They are quick and easy to apply, can be released and repositioned easily and can be reused up to five times on the same patient, which is useful for repeated medical tests. Additionally, they have not caused indentation on the patient’s arm.

“They had already been successfully trialled and formally adopted by the vascular access specialist nurse team in Morriston, who particularly liked the fact they couldn’t be over-tightened on the limb. Evidence suggests that over-tightening can lead to failure to take blood, distortion of laboratory results and pain for the patient.

“The trial in ED has been a big success as it has reduced the chance of harm to patients, been beneficial to our environment – we are still looking into the savings in emissions - and it will save the health board money.

“We are using two types of tourniquets - eco and paediatric. The latter have designs including highly colourful snakes and elephant trunks and have assisted in the venepuncture of children and patients with dementia and those with additional learning needs.

“Several children have asked to keep the tourniquets as keep-sakes. The colourful strips act as distraction and play, and the feedback from the Children’s Emergency Unit’s staff has been very positive.

“Now we look forward to seeing the results emerge from the trials in AMU and SDEC.”

20/11/2025

A Swansea Bay team has been named the best in Wales for helping to reduce the risk of infections for patients in hospital.

The antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) ward round team supports Morriston Hospital staff to help patients switch from using broad-spectrum antibiotics to more targeted treatment instead.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics cover a wide range of bacterial infections rather than specific ones.

Despite being needed initially to treat serious infections, overuse can risk causing antibiotic resistance and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections.

C. diff is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea.

It usually lives harmlessly in the bowel along with lots of other types of bacteria. Sometimes, though, when taking antibiotics, the balance in the bowel can change, causing an infection.

Antibiotics do not work against viral infections, such as coughs and colds, so self-care, such as staying hydrated, resting and taking painkillers to control symptoms, is often advised for those feeling unwell.

Taking antibiotics when they aren’t needed can create a risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Each year, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week takes place between 18th-24th November – with this year’s theme being Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.

Morriston’s AMS team decided to act after noticing an increase in C. diff infections amongst patients and introduced ward rounds to help clinical teams review antibiotic usage.

Antimicrobial pharmacist Dan Robbins said: “When using broad-spectrum antibiotics, guidance recommends doing a review within 72 hours and refining the treatment to better target the cause of the infection.

“Health board data showed this was not happening routinely, which created a risk of patients staying on broad-spectrum antibiotics for longer than needed. This also increased their risk of developing resistant infections.

“As a way of preventing this, we decided to become more visible on the wards and help clinical teams review patients and encourage early switch of antibiotics in those who were appropriate.

“We hoped that by engaging with clinical teams, it would help to embed this practice across the wards.”

The ward rounds were made possible through the use of the electronic prescribing system, which made it easier for staff to identify which patients had been prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics.

It details why and when patients were prescribed antibiotics and when they are due to stop, so staff can then add them to the ward round list.

To date, the team has managed to reduce exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics in two thirds of the patients they have reviewed.

Prescribing levels of the most common antibiotic reviewed during the ward rounds, piperacillin/tazobactam, is now the lowest in Wales.

Their success has resulted in them winning the Infections Management Team of the Year Award at this year’s Welsh Healthcare Awards.

“So far 390 patients have been reviewed on the AMS ward rounds,” Dan added.

“We were able to stop or switch antibiotics to oral and or narrower spectrum antibiotics in 75 per cent of reviews.

“When a change in treatment was advised by our team it was accepted and acted on in 90 per cent of reviews which shows good engagement from clinical teams.

“Overall, our team’s interventions have resulted in a reduced exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics in 263 of the patients reviewed.

“We have had great engagement from clinical teams and ward pharmacists, which we hope will create more opportunities for collaborative work in antimicrobial stewardship and for them to adopt this best practice approach going forward.”

Members of the team attended the Welsh Healthcare Awards, held at The Vale Resort, where they received the prestigious award.

Lorcan O’Connell, consultant microbiologist, said: “I am delighted and truly humbled by our win at the recent Welsh Healthcare Awards.

“To be acknowledged among the best of healthcare in Wales was an honour.

“We are lucky to have such a diligent and dedicated stewardship team in Swansea Bay, and this award belongs to the entire multidisciplinary team.

“It’s proof that collaboration, vigilance and good stewardship contribute to what matters most, which is protecting patients and preserving antibiotics.

“Reducing exposure time to broad-spectrum antibiotics is important. It allows the patient’s gut flora to recover quicker, helping to reduce their risk of C. diff and other resistant infections.

“These ward rounds and other initiatives led by the AMS team have led to overall reductions in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.”

Picture credit: Kyron Healthcare Media.

20/11/2025

When we think of a medical emergency, a heart attack often comes to mind.

Yet a flare-up of COPD, known as an exacerbation, can be just as serious.

November is COPD Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness of this chronic respiratory condition.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the collective name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

During this month, we’ll be highlighting the services, self-management guidance and support available to people living with COPD.

An exacerbation is where the airways suddenly narrow and inflammation worsens, making breathing very difficult.

Like a heart attack, every exacerbation can cause lasting damage and reduce quality of life.

But there are simple ways to help prevent exacerbations:
👉 Quit smoking, this is the most effective way to prevent further lung damage
👉 Taking medication as prescribed
👉 Being vaccinated, make sure you get your flu vaccination and other recommended vaccinations, such as RSV and pneumococcal
👉 Staying active
👉 Having a healthy diet, to help support your body to fight infections

For more support and self-management advice, you can use the COPDhub app.

It contains advice, support and educational videos which can be accessed whenever and wherever you need them.

Find more information here: https://healthhub.wales/copdhub/

20/11/2025

🍂 ❄️💉 This autumn/winter we are offering an extra booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to the most vulnerable people in our communities.

The extra booster has been recommended by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises UK governments, and accepted by Welsh Government.

It’s being offered as a precaution so that those who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill if they catch coronavirus can keep a high level of immunity.

❓ Who gets it?
• Adults aged 75 years and over
• Residents in a care home for older adults
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed

📅 When will I receive a vaccine?
The Covid-19 autumn/winter programme will run from Wednesday 1st October 2025 until the end of January 2026.

📨 How and when will I hear?
Those eligible will be sent a letter from the health board with an appointment at a community pharmacy or your GP surgery. If your registered GP surgery isn’t offering the COVID vaccination this season, then you will be booked into an appointment at a community pharmacy.

The appointment being offered is for the Covid-19 autumn/winter booster 2025.
You may hear from us towards the early part of October.

But don’t worry if you don’t hear from us straight away, appointments will be given as we work through the eligibility groups. We will be offering the Autumn booster until end of December 2025.

There is no need to contact your GP surgery or the health board. If you are eligible, you will be sent an appointment.

Our community teams will be giving the autumn boosters in care homes from Wednesday 1st October 2025.

Our immunisation team are working closely with GP practices to vaccinate those who are housebound. The community teams will also visit those who are on the housebound list.

❌ How can I cancel or change my appointment?
If you are unable to make your appointment, please refer to your invitation letter for details on how you can rearrange.

If you wish to have further information on this, please contact 01792 200492. We appreciate our telephone lines may be busy at times, and apologise for this in advance.

Further information about the autumn/winter 2025 Covid-19 booster programme will be added to this page as and when it becomes available - https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/vaccinations-in-swansea-and-neath-port-talbot1/vaccine-information/covid-19-vaccinations-autumnwinter-2025/

20/11/2025

NEW: *NHS Wales app users* - the Swansea Bay Patient Portal/Patients Know Best is now available via the NHS Wales app. Find it under My health/More health records.

Are you over the age of 16 and recently, currently or about to receive hospital outpatient care?

Do you want access to your health information at your fingertips? Manage your healthcare from the comfort of your own home? Get a range of blood test results sent directly to your own smartphone, laptop, tablet or PC, along with your appointment letters and more?

The Swansea Bay Patient Portal (powered by Patients Know Best) is a secure online service which gives you access to your health information, and it’s convenient – you can access it anytime and anywhere.

You can also share some or all of your health information with family members, carers or other health care professionals who need to see it.

Once you sign up to the Swansea Bay Patient Portal you’ll have a wide range of clinical information and resources to support your health and wellbeing - available in your pocket.

Interested? Find out more here: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/Patient-Portal-PKB

Details of how to sign up are included in the information drop down list on the webpage. Or if you are an NHS Wales app user, find it under My health/More health records.

If you have any problems signing up, or any further queries, please email: SBU.PatientPortal@wales.nhs.uk Please include your NHS number, if you know it, so the team can assist you as quickly as possible.

19/11/2025

Cold and icy in Swansea and west Wales - take care.

Yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place over the next couple of days ⚠️

Many places won't see much settling snow with icy roads more of a hazard. Heavier falls of snow are likely in northern Scotland and parts of northeast England ❄️

More details👉 bit.ly/WxWarning

19/11/2025

We are offering older adults, between the ages of 75-79, the RSV vaccine.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections.

For most adults and children, RSV infection causes a mild illness, such as a cough or cold, which usually gets better on its own.

For some, especially older adults, RSV can be very serious and can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

However, a small number of older adults are at risk of becoming very unwell, especially if they have other health problems, such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system.

Most people have had RSV as a child, but a past infection may not prevent you from getting RSV again.

You can help protect yourself against serious illness from RSV by having the RSV vaccination when it is offered to you.

For those turning 75, you should be offered the vaccine around the time of your birthday.

Eligible patients should look out for an appointment letter for their RSV vaccination or book an appointment at a clinic being advertised by their GP surgery when invited to do so.

If you have now turned 80, but missed your vaccine when you were eligible at 79, you can still get vaccinated.

For more information about the RSV vaccine, please follow this link to our website - https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/vaccinations-in-swansea-and-neath-port-talbot1/vaccine-information/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccinations/rsv-vaccine-for-older-adults/

19/11/2025

🩸Welsh Blood Service aims to have at least 7 days of each blood type to help patients in need across
💉 Can you help by giving blood?
❤ Book today! https://wbs.wales/SwanseaBayHB
🤔 Don't know your type? No problem, they'll do that bit for you when you donate!

18/11/2025

Patients in hospital with a chronic lung condition are being helped home quicker – which is not just better for them but frees up beds for others.

Swansea Bay’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, team supports patients to live well with the condition and manage flare-ups, with the overall aim of avoiding hospital admissions.

But when patients are in hospital the team identifies those who can be discharged sooner, either from the wards or the Emergency Department, and supported to stay at home.

And the vast majority of them, currently 95 per cent, do not have to be readmitted.

During November, COPD Awareness Month, we’ll highlight the services, self-management guidance and support available to Swansea Bay patients.

COPD is a lung condition caused by damage to the airways or other parts of the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulties.

Common symptoms include shortness of breath, a persistent chesty cough with phlegm, frequent chest infections and persistent wheezing.

Alison Lewis, Swansea Bay’s respiratory clinical lead, said: “We have a team member in Morriston every day who seeks out patients who are suitable to go home sooner than they would normally.

“They can be discharged when it is safe to do so and then we can follow up with them in the comfort of their own homes.

“We always see the patients within 24 hours, or the next working day.

“It may be patients who have arrived at the Emergency Department or elsewhere.

“Once they are back home we can provide the support they need, whether it is helping with symptom management or educating them on self-management techniques.”

Patients identified by the team are typically those who have been taken to hospital with a flare-up of COPD, known as an exacerbation.

This is a sudden, temporary worsening of the symptoms beyond that which they typically experience.

It could result in increased breathlessness, coughing and changes in phlegm or increased wheezing, among other things.

“We want to get to patients much sooner before they arrive at hospital,” Alison added.

“We don’t want to wait until a patient is on the brink of a hospital admission, we want to intervene much earlier when they are more fit and well to help stop them deteriorating.”

If an identified inpatient cannot be discharged immediately, the team will look at ways of helping to safely speed up the process for them instead.

Alison said: “If there are any barriers preventing them from being discharged or any aspects that contributed to their admission, we start working on those elements rather than waiting for them to be fit to go home.

“We always advise ward staff that if they think a patient is suitable for us to come in and support, to contact us sooner rather than later and not to wait until the patient is ready to go home. We could have supported an earlier discharge for them.”

18/11/2025

Autumn is upon us and winter is just around the corner. It’s a great time for getting cosy and hunkering down, but for many the shorter days and longer nights can take a toll on sleep.

As the daylight hours dwindle, our internal body clocks - or circadian rhythms - can get thrown off balance, leaving us feeling groggy and sluggish during the day, or wide awake at night when we should really be winding down.

But it’s not all bad news. A few simple habits can help you keep your body clock in sync, meaning sounder sleep through these darker months.

1. Maximise morning light exposure
Try to get outside within an hour of waking, even on cloudy days. A dose of natural light helps reset your circadian rhythm and boosts alertness.

2. Use a light therapy lamp
Busy lives mean often waking before sunrise, and then working indoors all day. A lightbox can mimic sunshine – aim for 20–30 minutes of exposure in the morning hours to simulate daylight.

3. Stick to a sleep schedule
Consistency is key. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to stabilise your internal clock and boost sleep quality.

4. Limit screen time before bed
Nocturnal doom-scrolling can leave you feeling emotionally drained, and blue light from phones and computers can delay production of melatonin, the hormone which naturally rises at night to promote sleep. Try switching to night mode, using blue light filters or – better still – switching off entirely.

5. Create a wind-down routine
Instead of staring at a screen, dim the lights, read a book or do gentle stretches before bed. Diet counts, too – avoid caffeine and big meals late in the day.

Help with sleep from NHS Wales

If you need a little extra help nodding off, try SilverCloud programme ‘Space for Sleep’.

It’s an online, self-help programme based on cognitive behavioural therapy, clinically proven to help you feel better.

Anyone aged 16+ can self-refer without seeing a GP. 20 minutes a day, three times a week is all it takes. You can work on it on any mobile device, anytime, anywhere – even in bed!

Learn more and self-refer: https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/onboard/nhswales/programs/89/details

18/11/2025

🍂 ❄️💉 It’s time to roll up your sleeves - this year's annual flu vaccination programme has begun!

Remember: Flu isn’t a heavy cold, it’s a highly infectious disease. For some, flu can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.

Last year’s vaccine won’t protect you now – the flu virus keeps changing, so the vaccine must too. Getting the flu vaccination is the best way to ensure you remain fit and well this winter while protecting those around you.

❓ Who gets it?
• children aged two and three years on 31 August 2025
• school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive)
• people aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
• people aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2026)
• all adult residents in Welsh prisons
• pregnant women
• carers of a person whose health or welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
• frontline health and social care workers
• people experiencing homelessness
• household contacts of the immunocompromised
• poultry workers

📅 When will I receive a vaccine?
For adults the autumn/winter flu programme will run from Wednesday 1st October 2025 until the end of January 2026.

With the exception of pregnant women who could receive their vaccine from September.

The vaccination programme for children also began in September 2025.

📨 How and when will I hear?
Those eligible for the flu vaccination will either be given an appointment by your GP surgery or you can visit your community pharmacy. Please check pharmacy for local arrangements.

The appointment being offered is for this year's flu vaccination.

You may hear from us towards the early part of October.

But don’t worry if you don’t hear from us straight away, appointments will be given as we work through the eligibility groups.

Ideally, you should receive your vaccine before the end of November, however if you become pregnant after this time, or are diagnosed with a condition making you eligible for a flu vaccine, you can still receive your vaccine up until March 2026.

There is no need to contact your GP surgery or the health board. If you are eligible, you will be sent an appointment.

If you are a resident in a care home, or housebound, your vaccination will be offered either by primary care providers or the immunisation team.

❌ How can I cancel or change my appointment?
If you are unable to make your appointment, please refer to your invitation letter for details on how you can rearrange.

If you wish to have further information on this, please contact 01792 200492. We appreciate our telephone lines may be busy at times, and apologise for this in advance.

🚸 How will children and young people be offered the vaccine?

Children and young people aged 2-3 years old, and those in reception class all the way to year 11, will be offered the fluenz nasal spray.

Eligible children aged 2 and 3 years old will primarily receive their vaccine from their GP surgery.

The school nursing team will offer the vaccine to all children attending primary and secondary school.

If you are a parent or guardian of a child not attending school, please contact your GP surgery to arrange vaccination.

Further information about the autumn/winter 2025 flu programme will be added to this page as and when it becomes available - https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/vaccinations-in-swansea-and-neath-port-talbot1/vaccine-information/flu-vaccinations-autumnwinter-2025/