23/05/2014 BBC Wales Today

The Royal Glamorgan hospital IS to lose specialist services as

controversial plans to shake-up hospitals in South Wales clear

It was a very difficult decision. A lot of tough arguments. I think what

we recognised above all else was these are South Wales issues, south

Wales problems and they deserve a South Wales solution.

Parents in Rhondda Cynon Taf fighting to save full-time nursery

places for three-year-olds, win their latest battle at the

Concerns Wales is being left behind when it comes to learning

The possibilities across the curriculum of using technology

effectively are immense and my only worry is that perhaps we are not

moving forward at the rate of pace that other countries on our

And it's been on an epic journey so far, covering 118,000 miles -

it's been high and low visiting, 70 nations - tomorrow the Queen's

It's taken three years but controversial plans to

centralise some specialist hospital services at five sites in

It comes after a patients' watchdog decided it would not ask the Health

It HAD opposed plans that would see consultant led care for mothers

and children - along with specialist A - moved from the Royal

Our health correspondent Owain Clarke has more.

How do you deliver better care for over 1 million people living in

South Wales? That's the question up for debate for almost three years.

It's here in a fairly anonymous building in the middle of a Merthyr

business park that the final go-ahead was given to redraw the map

of specialist hospital services. Members of the patients watchdog met

to decide whether to ask the health minister to change plans to move

care like consultant led accident and emergency and care for mothers,

babies and children from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.

In the end, by nine votes to three, they decided not to.

It was a difficult decision and it wasn't a unanimous decision. A lot

of tough and Frank arguments. I think what we recognised above all

else is these are South Wales problems and they deserve a South

Wales solution. It started in January 2012 when medical

professionals started working together to draw up plans.

Wind forward to May last year and six options were slimmed down to

four. An eight-week public consultation was launched with an

overwhelming response. In February this year, bosses decided to stick

with their preferred model, meaning the Royal Glamorgan would miss out.

The health board responsible for that hospital decided to veto

elements of the plan but in March, it fell in line after being given

assurances that as much babycare as possible would remain vocal and the

hospital but become a centre of excellence for diagnostic services

and care for the elderly. The only hope left for campaigners was that

the local patients watchdog would decide to appeal to the health

minister. Now that won't happen. If they remove the full accident and

emergency service from the Royal Glamorgan, that will mean that many

people will not choose to go, as the board want them to go, to Bridgend

or Merthyr, they will go to Cardiff. The Welsh government says it is

pleased the changes can be delivered and says it will lead to better care

across South Wales. The map of specialist health care in South

Wales can now be redrawn but not everybody is convinced patients will

benefit. Where does this now leave health

reorganisation across Wales? Plans for North Wales are now pretty

complete after the first minister made a decision on locating care at

Glan Clwyd hospital. In West Wales, changes are underway but some

campaigners are pinning their hopes on a forthcoming judicial reviews,

such as decisions to change urgent care in Llanelli. South Wales is the

last part of the jigsaw but what is common to these plans is how

difficult and controversial they have been to implement in the midst

of public outcry. On the one hand you have those that argue the NHS

can't stand still. It was designed in the 1950s and has to respond in

the 21st-century. On the other hand you have campaigners and opposition

parties that say some of these changes could have been avoided if

the NHS had been properly resourced. What's clear is there is more of

this to come. Thank you.

Parents campaigning against cuts to nursery provision in Rhondda Cynon

in Rhondda Cynon Taf have won the latest stage of their battle

London. They'd sought a judicial review into the council's decision

They'd sought a judicial review into the council's decision to

plans would've meant children start full school days after they turn

Eleena Powell has a full-time place at nursery at Trallwng

But she would have lost it next April under plans by

For her father, a county councillor, relief tonight that those plans have

My wife, like a lot of other women in the area would not have been able

to continue into work because they would not have had the opportunity

to go part-time while the child is in school. A massive impact on

families and single parent families in Rhondda Cynon Taf because it is

removing a wage. That come from the High Court and

campaigners say it is an important victory.

It's understood the council acted unlawfully -

it breached its statutory duties in the way it reached its decision,

We are just normal parents that felt like the council had done something

unlawful and we are trying to make sure they don't rush something

through they shouldn't be doing. This is not just a victory for us,

it is a victory for other things in Rhondda Cynon Taf and to say to

people that you can change things and challenge the council because we

have done it and succeeded. And she's not

the only one unhappy with the council's plans - many took to the

streets in protest last November. Cuts to nursery services would have

saved the council ?4.5m - part of plans to save ?56 million

over the next four years. The council says has no alternative

other than to make significant It says officers will now consider

the detail of this judgement. Today's news has been welcomed

by parents but the council could appeal the

judgement so their long fight over BBC Wales can reveal that senior

advisors to the Welsh Government have concerns we're being left

behind when it comes to In September, every state school

in England will put a much greater But we've been told that schools

here won't have the same chance Here's our education correspondent,

Arwyn Jones. The Welsh government wants a digital

economy, a knowledge economy based on developing the latest technology

and it is seen as a big growth area which could create thousands of

jobs. Here at Saint Peters Church of England primary School in Bristol,

pupils are preparing for big changes. As of September, there will

be a new curriculum with far greater emphasis on competing and

programming, learning more about how computers work and to make computers

do things. They are going to develop

problem-solving skills and they will also develop logic skills.

The technology has certainly moved on an awful lot over the last few

years. The latest tablet computers aren't just toys, they are important

educational tools. The danger is while the technology has moved on

leaps and bounds, the curriculum in Wales hasn't. Some schools in Wales

are making great use of technology. The school in Swansea teaches pupils

about computer programming and coding. The headteacher here is a

former adviser to the Welsh government and has left his job to

set up a company advising schools on digital learning.

The possibilities across the curriculum of using technology

effectively, developing combination of thinking, with coding, are

immense. I only worry is that perhaps we are not moving forward at

the rate other countries on our doorstep.

In some ways, Wales is at the four forefront. The fear is that unless

we can keep up with the rest, it could cost jobs here.

There could be people coming from outside Wales into Wales who have

got the competencies and skills to be able to fill jobs in Wales, which

in reality should actually be filled by people in Wales.

Last year, the Welsh government commissioned a review to look at how

we teach IT in schools. It has made a number of recommendations but its

author feels frustrated that instead of being implement it, they will

feed into another broader review of the curriculum which went report

back until the end of the year. This is a global issue, it is not just

about saying we are supporting priority sectors for the economy,

building skills and also it is broader societal skills, digital

skills to be functioning citizens in the UK.

The education minister did kind and offer to be interviewed but a

spokesperson said it recognises the importance of digital literacy in

Wales, that it isn't being marginalised but mainstreamed. Back

in Swansea and the latest task is to set music to a video of a rocket

launch. Digital education is an area that could take off with many

opportunities for pupils and creating jobs but with the

opportunities come the dangers of being left behind.

140 jobs have been saved at factory in Flintshire

Last month, Creative Foods announced its site in

But an agreement has been reached to sell

David Wood Baking is due to take over in June.

An MP says she's asking the Attorney General to review

the sentence handed down to a man from Wrexham who admitted

downloading hundreds of thousands of indecent images of children.

At Mold Crown Court Dennis Igo was given

The judge said he was a low risk and that there were quite exceptional

Igo was told he'd have to attend an internet sex offenders programme.

They would have been absolutely no problem for the judge to have

awarded a custodial sentence in this case and he should have done. I

think the judge has got it totally wrong and that is why I -- why I

will be writing to the edge any general. I think it is a case of

justice for the families of those young people who were used.

Still to come in the programme tonight:

I am in six bells this evening. The Queen's Baton Relay will be visiting

here tomorrow. Will it be dry or wet? I will tell you later in the

programme, plus a full forecast for the ankle at a weekend.

Opposition parties have raised concerns about the

Welsh Government's decision to appoint a former Director of Nursing

at a troubled health board, to a role advising

Victoria Franklin worked at the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University

Last week, an independent report on care given to elderly patients

at two hospitals run by the ABMU Board found a series of failings.

Our political reporter, Paul Martin, has more.

This report ordered by health Minister last year after relatives

In said in many cases care fell way below what was acceptable, there was

poor professional behaviour and a lack of suitably qualified staff.

And before the review was ordered last

year three nurses from the Princess of Wales Hospital were arrested and

bailed on suspicion of neglect after claims notes had been falsified.

Other nurses have been suspended from duty

And what do we know about Victoria Franklin?

To be clear here, while Victoria Franklin was responsible

for nursing care across the health board, she was NOT responsible

And last week's report did not refer to her individually,

it only made general criticism of the health board.

Victoria Franklin left her role as ABMU Director of Nursing last summer

and began her new role, working on the Welsh Government's review of

The health minister has described her as a highly experienced

health professional whose expertise is being utilised.

And what reaction has there been to the appointment?

The Welsh Liberal Democrats, and the Conservatives have told us the

appointment raises serious questions about the Welsh Government.

Either they didn't know what was going on in Neath Port Talbot

Hospital and Bridgend hospital but all they did there what was going

on, they had concerned about the quality of nursing care and yet

despite that, they took the person responsible for that at board level

and gave them a more senior job within Welsh government. Both of

those scenarios are concerning. In response

the Government has told us it doesn't comment on staffing matters

and that its focus is on ensuring the standards it demands of the

health service are being delivered. One in five patients in Welsh

hospitals are diabetic and their That's according to the family

of man who died as a result David Joseph's family have told

BBC Wales that pledges made by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales

haven't been kept. The inspectorate says it's making

changes to its inspection regime. It is an illness that affects

170,000 people in Wales. Without proper care, diabetes can lead to

serious side-effects such as seizures, unconsciousness and

strokes. Amelia Bird from those that well. She lost her five after staff

at Bondi 's Hospital in Aberystwyth failed to treat his diabetes

properly. -- at Bronglais Hospital. He suffered a hypoglycaemic attack.

He had a heart attack. This happened in a medical setting but he died

three months later, never having fully recovered.

According to a new audit of diabetic care in hospitals, this case isn't

an exception. Over a third of diabetic hospitals in Welsh

hospitals experienced and error in medications.

Glucose can have a good impact so if we know there is a problem and we

have a good potential problem Solver for that, why aren't we implementing

that across? In 2012, a BBC Wales programme told

the story of the joseph family and the body who keeps an eye on the

situation, health care Inspectorate Wales, said it would look at the

situation but it is said not enough has been done.

When you go into a hospital, you should feel that you are safe if you

are that present or if you are a relative, you should feel that

relative is safe. In Wales it is appalling. Health

care Inspectorate Wales says it is making changes to its inspection

regime for diabetic care and it will share these with David joseph's

family. Swansea city have reached an agreement with their former manager

Michael Laudrup after sacking them with, -- sacking him. They say they

won't make it public that they thank him for the work he has done.

Now the Commonwealth Games Baton arrives in Wales tomorrow and will

I'll hand you over to Claire Summers who's in Abertillery for us,

Good evening. Welcome to Six Bells, just one of

the destinations the Queens Baton Relay will visit over the next week.

177 baton bearers, from sport stars to celebrities and inspirational

members of the community, will carry it through Wales.

The oldest baton bearer is 82. He'll be here tomorrow.

The youngest is nine. And they will carry the baton that

contains a sealed, secret message inside written by the Queen.

So let's have a look at its journey in Wales.

It arrives at Cardiff airport in the morning and

as you can see it's pretty nonstop after that - here are just some

of the places on its route. More detail in just a minute.

So tomorrow afternoon it'll be carried to this

mining memorial site. An important landmark for the people

that live in this community. In October last year, an epic

journey began. The Queen's Baton Relay set off on a truly global

voyage, travelling across 70 nations. Tomorrow it's Welsh

adventure will begin in Cardiff, travelling through Ebbw Vale,

Tredegar and finishing day one in Merthyr Tydfil. There will be many

celebrations along the way but it's arrival will also be a time of

reflection for one community. It is almost 54 years since the community

of Six Bells changed forever. Joe worked at the colliery and was in

bed after a night shift when he got news that there had been an

explosion. 45 men lost their lives. I think it happened about ten

o'clock in the morning. The thing I remember is the silence.

Joe can see the miners Memorial from his back garden, a daily Memorial of

what happened. He will carry the common wealth but an in memory of

the men who lost their lives. Most of the men I knew personally.

It is really a job to explain it but it will be emotional, very

emotional, bringing back memories of those days. I'm nervous about doing

it but I'm very pleased and doing it.

On Sunday, the battle starts of in Llantrisant, popping into the Royal

Mint and rounding off the day in Llandrindod Wells. A participation

medal for athletes has already been made and on Sunday, a commemorative

50p coin will come off the production line. Taking a break from

his training and pushing the button will be this Welsh hurdler.

I am 30 and if I had won the Commonwealth Games years ago, I

wouldn't be competing at this age. It's unfinished business so it is

the highest honour to compete for your country.

It will bring back memories for Norman Richards. It was a lively

pace. An up and coming athlete in 1958,

Norman carried the latter one for the Empire games when they came to

Wales. Then you had to be fit, running three miles before passing

it on. On Sunday, Norman will carry it again with his grandchildren

watching. He has very fond memories of the first time round. I heard

somebody say, don't you dare drop it!

People laughed. It was a bit of fun but I recognised it was my mother.

It was a bit embarrassing as an 18-year-old being told that by your

mother. It was a really wonderful experience. I'm just... I feel very

privileged to be involved again. It seems almost a full circle to carry

the bat on and then have gone on to represent Wales and now to carry it

again. Quite unique. On Monday, they relay starts in the

North, visiting the Eisteddfod. On Tuesday it will end the evening in

Carmarthen. It will be blessed at Saint Davids Cathedral on Wednesday

before heading along the West Wales coast. Can-year-old Lauren Balch

will be having her moment in the spotlight when it arrives in her

town. She runs an after-school sports club and was nominated

because of her tireless energy in encouraging girls into sport.

I thought maybe if they saw me doing the bat on relay they might think,

it's not just the boys who do it. The girls can do it as well.

On Thursday the torch will head up to the dizzy heights of Snowdon,

ending the day in Carmarthen. It's ending journey will begin on Friday

before the handing over ceremony. It has been a seven-month journey and

will spend the next seven days in Wales. It is almost time for the

games to begin. Let's talk to two at Llanberis, ready for their moment in

the spotlight. Mail me, how excited are you?

I am going to carry it in Tredegar and I am very excited.

Let's have a look at your T-shirt. What have your friends and family

said? They are really proud of me and it

is a one-time opportunity. You are a keen gymnast. Would you like to

represent Wales one day? Hopefully I will. You are carrying the bat on

tomorrow. However you feeling? I am feeling good. I am carrying it

into the sports centre. Why were you nominated?

Cos of the amount of volunteering I try to do in the community.

And working with young people. And you are not just a bat and there

are, you are giving a speech to the community?

Once I take it in I will be going on stage and welcoming the baton to

Ebbw Vale. I have it an authority that you have

practised. Let's have a chat with somebody who knows about winning

medals. Mark Cockburn is here. You will be carrying the Commonwealth

bat on. It will be new for me, carrying it

through my hometown of Tredegar. It will bring back lots of memories

from my 2012 past so I am excited. With the Paralympics you were in the

zone with the competition. What is it like seeing the community spirit

with Mac this is obviously something I missed out on, going into the

holding camp a few weeks before the game.

I am actually quite excited to be part of it because it is a great

memory for me and hopefully tomorrow the people of Tredegar can come out

and celebrate this tremendous occasion to be part of the

Commonwealth Games. It's great. Are you missing the

competition? Between you and me, yes.

As a born athlete I missed the training and the racing and

certainly this build-up, this euphoria.

Good luck tomorrow. Don't drop it. It is starting to rain a little bit

in Six Bells. What will the weather be like for the Queen's Baton

Relay? If I could wave a bat on and make it

warm and sunny, believe me I would. It has started raining. More heavy

rain on the way and a warning in force for tomorrow. Not a total

wash-out this bank holiday weekend. But for the Queen's Baton Relay

there is a risk of a few showers. In Ebbw Vale right across to Merthyr

Tydfil so do take your waterproofs The forecast for tonight much

of the showers will fade away. Just

the odd coastal shower possible. The winds light and coming

from a south-easterly direction. The pressure chart

for tomorrow shows low pressure sitting across the UK and with that

comes a fair few showers. A Met Office weather warning is in

force, covering much of Wales. The risk of flash flooding and travel

disruption. Tomorrow, a fine and bright

start especially in the north. Then a band of heavy rain will

spread up from the south-east. Once that rain band clears heavy

thundery showers will follow Things will start to improve

a little bit as we go into Sunday. Fewer showers, less heavy and more

chance of seeing some sunshine Showers less frequent

by Monday with the winds easing it Outlook an improving picture

as we head towards the end If you are coming to watch the first

day of the Queen's Baton Relay can bring an umbrella. Six Bells is

ready to welcome the Queen's Baton Relay. We will be watching it every

step of