Category Archives: Health

Health, News, Wales News

South Wales Triathlete heading for Dun Laoghaire 70.3 before World Championship in Nice

South Wales based Triathlete and Ironman 70.3 British record holder Adam Bowden is hoping for even more success this year despite battling injury and flu.

His next race, Ironman 70.3 Dun Laoghaire this coming Sunday will be his last before heading to the World Championships in Nice, where he hopes to be named world champion.

Adam is looking forward to the weekend, but naturally his training focus has been preparing for September’s World championships – and he says South Wales has proved invaluable in helping him to do that.

He explains:

“Since having a Flu Virus 7 weeks ago things have progressed albeit with a few ups and downs along the way. My focus in training has hugely been geared towards the World Championships in Nice. The main focus has been bringing the biking on with a lot more hours and specific sessions that are needed to be able to perform on the hilly course for the worlds.
“I’m so grateful to be based in South Wales, it means I haven’t needed to go abroad to find a mountainous terrain.  Wales is perfect for this type of training when we have good weather. I’ve been mixing my training with group rides in the Brecon Beacons with the NTPCW squad and individual rides in the local Valleys which offer some good climbs.
“Of course, there are other benefits to being based here – my girlfriend, Rhian Davies, is the Clinic Director of one2one Therapy in Bridgend, so I’ve had instant access to physiotherapy treatment, sports massage, strength & conditioning and podiatry which enables me to keep racing at the highest level. As well, the squad at The National Triathlon Performance Centre of Wales (NTPCW) are a huge support in helping me to push my body to the limit everyday.”
Sundays race will be a great tester for Adam before the World Championships as this is also a very hilly course and he’s up against some tough competition racing alongside Double Olympic & World Triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee MBE and multiple Olympian & ITU World Champion Tim Don.
It’s going to be an exciting race!
Good luck Adam!
Health, News, Wales News

Support Garen’s goal to cure Parkinson’s

A Porthcawl man will be playing in the Ray Kennedy Cup in Denmark this month – an international seven-a-side football tournament for people with Parkinson’s.

Garen Williams, who works for Bridgend County Borough Council as a Construction Design Officer, was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s three years ago. Since his diagnosis, Garen has learned about the importance of regular exercise and a balanced diet in slowing down the progression of Parkinson’s.

He said:

“It is very important to exercise in order to build up strength, balance, good posture and speed. Not only does exercise reduce stress, but it also enhances a positive attitude to life. Doing exercise focuses my mind on my abilities, boosts my self-esteem and makes me feel good.

“My goal is to raise awareness of Young Onset Parkinson’s and to raise money for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust. This is also a great opportunity to represent my country in a sport I really love and enjoy.

“Our journey to Copenhagen has been paid for, but we need to raise awareness of this disease of which there is currently no cure.”

You can help support the team’s fundraising efforts by visiting https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ and searching for ‘UKYOPD’.

Image Credit: Barry Gem

Health, Wales News

South Wales Company becomes Sole UK Distributor of Innovative US Biomedical Product

Talbot Green-based company, Hospital Innovations, is celebrating signing a major deal to become the sole UK distributor of Indiana-based BioPoly’s innovative resurfacing products.
BioPoly, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, manufactures several biomaterial products that orthopaedic surgeons can use to resurface areas of the knee, patella and shoulder when they become worn down.

Current surgical treatments for painful, debilitating articular cartilage defects lie between two extremes: biological attempts and artificial replacement. However, many patients are not suitable candidates for the biological techniques, and may not yet be needing such invasive surgery to insert a complete artificial joint.

The BioPoly ReSurfacing devices provide a treatment option between these extremes. Utilising a patented material that is self-lubricating for improved wear properties, the BioPoly® devices are uniquely designed to replace only the damaged cartilage. Therefore, patients can quickly recover and return to pain-free, active lifestyles.

Phil Davies, founder and managing director of Hospital Innovations, said:

We are thrilled to have signed an exclusive distribution deal with BioPoly. To be the sole distributor of these ground-breaking products is testament to the trust the company has in us.

These unique products will help ensure patients can quickly recover and return to pain-free, active lifestyles; and we are looking forward to seeing the effect these will have on the lives of patients in the UK.”

Herb Schwartz, BioPoly president said:

We at BioPoly are very excited to be partnering with Hospital Innovations in the UK. Their knowledgeable and experienced team will represent BioPoly’s growing product portfolio very well as they expand the market and provide the best service to the UK orthopaedic surgeon customers”

Hospital Innovations specialises in creating innovative, safe and effective solutions to hospitals and clinics; and has grown into a globally trading company.

Health, Wales News

Hospice fulfilling vision to end postcode lottery for terminally ill in north west Wales

ST DAVID’S HOSPICE is fulfilling its vision to end the postcode lottery for terminally ill patients in north west Wales.

The Llandudno-based charity merged with Hospice at Home – Gwynedd and Anglesey last year to form one integrated organisation delivering first-class palliative care and support for patients and their families across the region.

With a rebranding exercise taking place, and with plans for a satellite hospice in Holyhead close to fruition, St David’s is close to realising its goal of cutting down travel times for people needing quality end of life care.

Chief Executive Trystan Pritchard and his team are working to unite rural communities behind the new-look charity, which is celebrating 20 years.

“One message we want to make clear is that Hospice at Home – Gwynedd and Anglesey is now part of St David’s Hospice and all future donations made to St David’s Hospice will benefit the whole organisation to ensure that the most appropriate services are available for patients in their own local communities, including those using Hospice at Home.

“It is a crucial service and has not been replaced or closed down but re-established in a bigger, stronger organisation delivering palliative and end-of-life care to those who need it most in Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy.

“Our vision remains the same, and by joining forces and taking a more strategic approach to respite care in north west Wales we can make strides toward even better services.”

He added: “Our nursing teams and patient and family support services are incredible; they make a huge difference to the lives of more than one thousand people every year in the community and the same goes for our many volunteers and fundraisers.

“What we are trying to do now is harness that goodwill, dedication and energy and channel it toward creating the best possible environment for patients in the future.”

St David’s Hospice plans to open the first ever four-bed inpatient hospice on Anglesey before year end. There are also discussions for a unit in south Gwynedd in the future.

Jayne Emsley, Lead Nurse for Specialist Palliative Care (West) at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, says the merger was a “massive bonus” for communities in north west Wales as they and the third sector continue to build on the joint ventures and good work carried out over the years.

“Hospice at Home – Gwynedd and Anglesey has been providing great work in the area for 27 years, and with St David’s Hospice celebrating its 20th year there is a lot of history and support from many families and fundraisers in this region,” she said.

“Anglesey and Gwynedd have had access to inpatient hospice beds in Llandudno, but this is a significant distance to travel for many, so the developments are a big step and a massive bonus for what is a vast geographical area requiring different models of care.”

Jayne added: “For the general population it is important to have access to specialist inpatient beds and this satellite hospice unit in north west Wales will complement current services.

“People in the area have witnessed the positive input Hospice at Home has provided over many years and as specialist services evolve, including this work with St David’s Hospice, improved access to specialist care across the geographical area will have a positive impact on choice for patients and families, which can only be a good thing.”

For more information, visit the website: www.stdavidshospice.org.uk

Business Reports, Health

Business growth opportunities post-Brexit? Prohibition Partners advises investors to look at Cannabis

The development of a legal cannabis market can offer opportunities for European countries affected by Brexit uncertainty, according to The European Cannabis Report™ 4th Edition, the latest market-leading report on the European cannabis industry by Prohibition Partners.

With the risk of a no-deal Brexit looming, the report demonstrates that:

  • Unlike established developed industries, a no-deal Brexit will not risk the sustained growth of the legal cannabis industry in the UK, nor across Europe.
  • Although there is an appetite across Europe to develop a coordinated approach to medical cannabis, with the recent agreement by the European Parliament to form a legal definition, cannabis policy continues to be determined by individual member states, lessening the effects of the UK leaving the union.
  • As the UK Government has strongly hinted at regulatory alignment post-Brexit, and with significant pressure to improve access to medical cannabis from Britain’s patient groups and political community, it is likely that any forthcoming European regulations will also be adopted, or at the very least closely reflected, in the UK.
  • The UK is the world’s largest exporter of legal cannabis, the majority of which is used for the pharmaceutical market, and offers major commercial opportunities regardless of the outcomes of the continued UK-EU negotiations.

The forecasted market growth will also come as welcome news to Germany, France and Italy, whose factories are suffering an industrial recession as eurozone manufacturing output sank at its fastest pace for almost six years.[1]

Even amid the economic slowdown, Germany is at the forefront of the European cannabis industry and its medical cannabis market alone is estimated to be worth €7.7 billion by 2028. The European Cannabis Report™ illustrates that it is now third only to the US and Canada in terms of market size. Following the legalisation of cannabis for medical use, patient numbers have grown from 1,000 to over 40,000. To cope with demand, Germany’s government is resorting to imports and the country’s medicines authority, BfArm, is reissuing domestic cultivation licences owing to the surge in demand for medical cannabis.

Prohibition Partners Managing Director Daragh Anglim said:

“Since the referendum vote, the uncertainty of the post-Brexit landscape has already had a notable impact on the UK economy, with Goldman Sachs warning this week that Brexit has cost the UK £600 million a week. This includes businesses moving their operations abroad; factories stockpiling to reduce the risk of supply chain challenges; and sterling under constant pressure. 

“With Europe facing ongoing uncertainty over when, how and even whether Brexit will happen, investors are undoubtedly nervous about the future. As one of only a few sectors likely to emerge unscathed from the Brexit drama, perhaps it’s time to take a closer look at the enormous potential offered by Europe’s legal cannabis market.”

“Of course, timelines for pan-continental regulatory change are difficult to establish. However, the growing demand for medical cannabis, the World Health Organisation’s review into the legal status of cannabis, and the European Parliament’s draft bill to establish a regulatory framework on cannabis for medical use could lead to a wave of legislative changes in 2019 across the continent.”

Download The European Cannabis Report™ 4th Edition here to learn more about legislation, regulation and the commercial opportunities available across the European cannabis industry.