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Statement on changes to screening provision

Posted on by WCA

Issued 20th March 2020 and updated 27 March 2020

Statement in response to changes of screening provision in Wales following Covid-19 outbreak

Following the announcement to suspend some non-urgent appointments and procedures, Welsh Government has agreed the recommendations of Public Health Wales to temporarily pause some of the population based screening programmes. This will include the cancer screening programmes, and that: bowel, breast and cervical screening. This situation will be reviewed in 8 weeks.

If you have recently received an invitation to participate in bowel screening, Bowel Screening Wales want you to hold onto the kit for now and wait until services return to normal before completing it and sending it back. Bowel Screening Wales may send you a fresh kit or contact you to re-do your test when the service returns to normal.

The decision to pause cancer screening programmes in Wales is not one that has been taken lightly. But it will mean NHS screening staff can support front line services at this difficult time. It also means that the members of the public can observe the national call for no travel except when it is essential. Screening services will be restored as soon as possible. As screening services are for people without symptoms, it is important that anyone who is worried about possible cancer symptoms contacts their GP. GPs are being asked to increase their use of phone and video consulting so people don’t need to go into the surgery.

It’s understandable that people with possible cancer symptoms may be feeling more anxious at this time. If you or your loved ones would like to speak with someone about emotional support or general advice the following organisations provide support lines. They can help you.  

Marie Curie’s #TalkAbout Campaign Launched in the National Assembly for Wales

Posted on by WCA

On Thursday, 9 January, Assembly Members gathered in the National Assembly for Wales to speak about death and dying at a Drop-In event organised by Marie Curie in Wales, as part of our biggest ever public campaign to get people talking and planning for death.

Talkabout

As well as using the different resources available, such as playing cards designed to start difficult conversations, AMs shared what they’d like to be remembered for, and the three songs they’d liked played at their funeral.

The charity has launched a national TV advert campaign, featuring the euphemisms people use to talk about death and dying, to encourage more conversations. Our theme is that it really doesn’t matter what you call it but you should talk about it.

Along with the conversation cards, Marie Curie has also other things designed to make that first step in the often very difficult conversation about death a little easier.

There is also a dedicated Talkabout section of the Marie Curie website where all the resources can be found as well as a newly launched podcast which talks to some familiar faces about their experience of grief and bereavement.

About our Drop In

The event was well attended and started useful conversations about the realities of death and dying in Wales.

According to a recent YouGov poll, only 33% of people in Wales have talked to a family member or loved one about their wishes for when they die. 1 Marie Curie would like to see that number increase, with more people talking about their wishes, and death as a natural part of life, one that we can prepare for.

At the event, AMs had the chance to meet with staff who work closely with people at the end of their lives and their loved ones Our staff teams provide support for than 3,500 people living with a terminal illness in Wales each year. We also fund innovative research, and work with NHS Wales, to improve end of life care and support across Wales.

Every year in Wales around 34,000 people die , 75 per cent of whom would benefit from some form of palliative care. However, 1 in 4 people are currently unable to access the appropriate support they need.

To find out more about the campaign, and Marie Curie’s work across Wales, search for the hashtag #TalkAbout on social media and visit the website.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1003 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th – 21st October 2019. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Wales adults (aged 18+).