Age Cymru
Age Cymru is committed to being the foremost information and advice service to older people in Wales.
Phone (Age Cymru Advice)
0800 022 3444
Website
www.ageuk.org.uk/cymruThe Silver Line
Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.
Phone
0800 470 80 90
Website
The Silver Line HelplineDementia UK
Dementia UK offers specialist one to one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.
Phone
0800 888 6678
Website
Dementia UK
Email
helpline@dementiauk.orgAlzheimer’s Society
Living with dementia can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. From a listening ear on the phone, to a visit in person. From practical tips and advice, to opportunities to connect with others.
Phone
0333 150 3456
Website
Alzheimer’s SocietyAudiology service
A new way of seeing patients with ear and hearing problems, which frees up the valuable time of GPs, has been introduced to the Lower Swansea Valley.
Website
Audiology serviceSBUHB- Parkinson’s Disease
We provide the base for the Parkinson’s specialist nurse, providing care within both the community and hospitals. The role involves developing and monitoring care plans, medication adjustment, and emotional/psychological support throughout all stages of Parkinson’s. A reliable source of information on clinical and social matters and an advocate for the patient and their families.
Website
Parkinson’s Disease
Neath Port Talbot Acute Clinical Team
The Acute Clinical Team (ACT) gives short-term care to frail patients who would rather be in their own home.
They can also call on other teams to provide treatment in the home, like physiotherapy.
The team provides care between the hours of 8:30am and 10pm, seven days a week.
GPs can refer patients to the ACT and they can also be called out by the ambulance service, social workers, district nurses, Acute GP Unit, hospitals, A & E Departments and the voluntary sector. It also works with paramedics to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions from 999 calls. Accepts patients over 18 years of age.
Referral times are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm and can be contacted Neath Port Talbot Gateway – 01639 686802
On Weekends and Bank Holidays 8:30am to 5pm and can be contacted through Neath Port Talbot Hospital Switchboard on 01639 862000
If patients do end up being hospitalised, ACT can also help achieve an early discharge.
Some of the conditions that are supported by ACT include:
– Any deterioration in the patients physical health and social situation that puts them at risk of unnecessary hospital admission
– Where there’s a progressive deterioration in the patients’ health that could be stabilised by a comprehensive assessment
Examples of these include:
– Chest infections/Urinary Tract Infection’s, viral illnesses, diarrhoea and vomiting, dehydration/malnutrition, not coping at home, falls, confusion secondary to organic causes, patients requiring intravenous antibiotics, (IVABX), intravenous infusions/subcutaneous infusions
– Support and advice for Care Home staff with their patients including end of life care, IV infusions and IVABX, patients at risk of hospital admission with reduced fluid intake, patients who may be aspirating and with reduced dietary intake
– Patients who require short term drug titration and monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation, Assessment and management of suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis of lower limbs ’in patients who are housebound, management of newly diagnosed Pulmonary Embolism suitable for outpatient treatment
Patients who need short term care/support/medical intervention in a crisis situation until a longer term plan of care can be established
Exclusion criteria
Patients who are acutely unwell needing a hospital admission
What does ACT do?
– Comprehensive Medical assessment and management plan including investigations and a medication review by Nurse Practitioners and where appropriate by a Consultant Physician either at home or in rapid assessment clinic in the Elderly Day Unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital.
– Treatments provided include IVABX, IV/subcutaneous fluids, IV treatments initiation and titration of anticoagulant therapy.
– Monitoring such as base line observations including oxygen saturations, weight, fluid balance, blood tests, ECG, bladder scan.
– Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy for acute muscular skeletal problems, falls prevention, acute chest problems, mobility, confidence, equipment provision
– Home Care support – personal care, medication support, meal provision, toileting
– Access to services – Elderly Day Unit and to inpatient beds in Neath Port Talbot Hospital. Onward referral to other services as required including Secondary Care Consultants and Clinical Nurse Specialists, Reablement Team, Sensory Support, Social Worker and voluntary services.Virtual ward
Virtual wards that provide support for the frail elderly, and those with complex health and social care needs, in their own homes rather than in hospital are to be expanded across Swansea Bay.
A virtual ward is a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting, conducted over Teams, involving primary care, secondary care and voluntary services.
They combine their expertise to discuss how to manage and support frail and potentially frail patients within their own community, helping take the strain off Swansea Bay’s hospitals.
Although the concept is not new, having already proved to be beneficial in three of the health board’s eight cluster areas – and coming to the fore during the pandemic – its expansion has now been agreed..
The move will see enhanced virtual wards in four of Swansea Bay’s eight primary care clusters (Bay, Cwmtawe, Neath and Upper Valleys) with plans for the remaining four to enjoy similar roll out next year.
Recruitment is currently underway to staff the virtual wards with such roles as virtual ward clinical manger, geriatrician, pharmacist, occupational therapist, GP and clinical nurse specialists.
Website
Expansion of Virtual wards to bring benefits for all to see