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Amendments to minutes Derek Colefield should read Caufield, Dave Williams should read Evans.
Any other business: A letter was received 29th May 2008 from Ruth Marks who is looking forward to attending, possibly in October.
Care and repair decorating is overpriced. This is nothing to do with Age Concern facility. New Leaf, a gardening service through the Garnsychan Partnership, will be finishing at the end of June.
Bron Afon has some flats available – this may come under Homefinder.
There has been a big improvement in the appearance of pathways in Blaenavon; especially outside Baker House.
Ref the new proposals for the Health Boards; Tom Gould said no jobs would be lost when the number reduces from 22 to 8. All thought this was ridiculous. Angie proposed that we send a letter from the joint forums requesting an explanation. The letter should incorporate the question ‘how much will this save us?’
If choose to voice concerns through a petition, then 1 member would have to go to the Welsh Assembly. Tom Gould is willing to go on our behalf. Beryl Watkins would like to see the proposed staff tree to show where jobs will be allocated.
The secretary has received a letter from Lynne Neagle A.M. in which she enclosed a letter from Ian Wyn Jones re concessionary rail fares. Gwyneth acknowledged the letter requesting we be informed of any future matters which would be of special interest to the forum.
Guest speaker from ACAT Rhian Morgan
ACAT stands for Advance Clinical Assessment Team. It consists of a group of nurses who support all 13 surgeries in Torfaen. They provide ‘hospital like’ care in the home and can go to anyone over 75 yrs old after a doctor’s referral. A health assistant goes out first to do a preliminary examination; next a nurse goes out and performs more tests. A diagnosis is made and then they liaise with a registrar. If any problems are found a doctor from the hospital will arrive the same day or next morning. In order to get this service you have to ring your GP. Your GP will be informed of all test results. GP will change medication if required and if he feels the patient might need hospitalization, he will contact ACAT. The room where the patient is will be like a hospital ward without any contamination associated with hospitals. ACAT can call upon the services of physiotherapists, specialist nurses e.g. respiratory nurses etc. This service should help avoid bed blocking. Several members know of this first hand and said they were excellent. Funded from Local Health Board from Welsh Assembly. There are plans to expand. It runs 8am to 10.30pm. Ted Nicholls asked if funding might run out – ACAT hopes not. Thanks expressed to Rhian Morgan for sharing this information.
Wilf Bridges brought up the problems about the bus stop in Park Road. Gwyneth has written to Health & Safety ref the scaffolding in Abersychan that is being left up when not in use; it has been there for 6 months. Platform scaffolding should have been used. Don Hill proposed that if scaffolding is not used in 5 days, then it should be taken down. Wilf Bridges seconded this proposal.
On June 25th at Widdershins there will be a Transport Forum, this will run like ‘Questiontime’ Any questions requested about transport. Ref taxis - hackney are regulated and private taxis are not. You are invited to bring a friend. Lewis Jones will launch the new service directory also on this day.
West End singer Peter Karrie will be at Widdershins 2pm Monday.
Cwmbran Forum would like the telephone number of Sharon Ford who gives talks about Big Pit. It is 01495 796413.
It is hoped to move the venue of the evening forum to the Civic Centre, Pontypool and Cwmbran to the library.
Angie gave out the Toolkit pamphlet/magazine also newsletters and reminders of forthcoming events.
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