www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk


CARMARTHENSHIRE NEWS • EDITION 11 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2013 All in a day’s work £2.7m wasted on medicine


A NEW Medicine Waste campaign is working to reduce waste which costs the NHS an estimated £2.7million


annually


£2.7million could fund:


in


Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire alone. By reducing the amount of


medicine that goes unused, the available


funding for other


desperately needed health services could be increased. Hywel Dda Health Board is


FROM troubleshooting for the council to dodging bullets in a warzone – it’s all in a day’s work for Simon Watkins. In his routine day job, Simon, 41,


resolves computer problems for the council. But there’s another side to this combat-clad dad – as a member of the Territorial Army, he has operated out of Afghanistan’s Camp Bastion with the Infantry Division and seen action in Nad Ali in Helmand Province. His work life balance is achieved with support from his wife Karen,


daughter Rhiannon, and


Carmarthenshire Council. He said: “The support has been


phenomenal - the council has been magnificent and allowed nearly a six- month break to go to Afghanistan. Whether dodging bullets or navigating round the mousemat both jobs pose their challenges in different ways.” Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge


said: “We are immensely proud of Simon and are keen to support him for the way he selflessly and bravely serves his country.”


working with GP surgeries and pharmacies to encourage patients to only order what they need and regularly talk to their doctor and Community Pharmacy regarding their prescriptions. There are a number of ways to help


reduce the amount of wasted medicines. Think carefully and only tick boxes on repeat prescription forms that are really needed. Once medication leaves a pharmacy it cannot be recycled. If the medicine is needed in the future it can be requested. Jenny Pugh-Jones, Head of Medicines Management at Hywel


• 106 nurses or


• 2,700 drug courses for Alzheimers or


• 178 drug courses for breast cancer or


• 728 hip replacements or


• 2,810 cataract operations


Dda Health Board said: “The Medicine Waste campaign is aimed at reducing the staggering amount of medicine that is unused or only partially used but by thinking carefully about how much you really need when requesting a repeat prescription you could help make a big saving for your local NHS.” For more information visit www.medicinewaste.com


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Which hall’s for hire?


CARMARTHENSHIRE Association of Voluntary Services’ online directory provides details and locations of community halls available for hire in the county. It includes location maps with directions, contact details


for


bookings, and a searchable list of events


and activities. Visit


www.carmarthenshirehalls.org.uk If you are a member of a


community venue, or have events that you would like to promote, contact CAVS on 01267 245555.


DIY course for tenants


CARMARTHENSHIRE Council tenants can pick up DIY skills at a free basic home maintenance course being run in partnership by the council and Coleg Sir Gâr. Held in Llanelli on Saturday


Royal visits uni


mornings, Wednesday evenings and school holidays, the course includes painting and decorating, tiling, plumbing, carpentry, brickwork, plastering and safe use of hand tools, with Adult Learning Credits given. Call 01554 744355 for details.


Fuel theives warning


HRH The Prince of Wales visited the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to experience an ancient Welsh Christmas tradition. The Prince, who is Patron of the University, joined a “Plygain” service which


dates back to pre-Reformation Wales. It was the Prince’s first experience of a “Plygain” which involves parties of carol singers taking turns to sing Christmas songs unique to their families. Following the service he also saw “Y Fari Lwyd” – the horse-figure carried from door to door by traditional singing groups during the Christmas season. Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor said: “We were delighted to


welcome our Royal Patron to this special service and to celebrate truly unique aspects of our heritage and culture.”


DYFED-Powys Police is reminding everyone to be mindful of fuel thieves this winter. The advice is, to make sure fuel


tanks are not visible from the highway; be observant and report any suspicious vehicles; ensure that vehicle fuel caps are locked and secure; and check your heating oil levels frequently. Further advice is available on the police website www.dyfed- powys.police.uk


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