Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

20/10/2026

An 83-year-old patient who had been trapped under fallen bedroom furniture at home for two days was found after a Pharmacy Technician followed up to check how he was managing his medication.

Pharmacy Technician Kirstie Mayley had built a trusting relationship with an 83-year-old patient while supporting him to manage changes to his medication at home.

So, when she couldn’t get hold of him, she knew something wasn’t right.

After following up with his pharmacy and visiting his home with a colleague, Kirstie raised the alarm. Police gained entry and found the patient trapped beneath fallen bedroom furniture, where he had been for two days.

Thankfully, he was taken to hospital and is now stable.

“Because I’d got to know him through my visits, I knew it wasn’t like him not to respond. I just felt that I needed to follow it up.”

A wonderful example of compassionate care, going the extra mile and taking the time to get to know the person behind the medication.

20/10/2026

We're continuing to experience exceptional pressure across our NHS services, with high demand remaining overnight and into today.

Thank you to everyone who has followed our advice and used alternative services where appropriate. Your support is helping us care for those who need urgent and emergency treatment most.

We're asking people to continue to:
• Only attend our Emergency Department if you have a life-threatening illness or serious injury.
• Use your local pharmacy, GP or NHS 111 Wales for less urgent health concerns.
• Choose the right service for your needs whenever possible, calling NHS 111 Wales for advice, help or to access out-of-hours appointments.

Please be kind to our NHS staff, who are working extremely hard to deliver safe care while helping to ease the pressure on our services.

Please continue to share this message with friends and family across Gwent. Thank you.

We are currently experiencing exceptional demand across our hospitals due to a combination of increased emergency attendances of very sick patients and a high number of patients who are awaiting discharge across our hospitals.

As seen across other areas of Wales, we ask for your support by only attending our Emergency Department if it is life threatening, or you have a very serious injury.

Please be aware that anyone who attends with a less serious illness or injury will face a very long wait to be seen as we need to prioritise the sickest patients.

If you need medical help, please think carefully about the services you choose. Choosing the right place to receive advice and care will help us ensure that our hospitals are not overwhelmed and enable us to provide timely treatment for patients most in need.

Please consider visiting your local pharmacy, your GP, visit https://orlo.uk/74qgt or call NHS 111 for advice. You can also ring 111 if you need to access urgent appointments when your own GP surgery is closed.

You can also find the details of alternative services by visiting our online Gwent Health Guide: https://orlo.uk/ijBS5

20/10/2026

Meet Ellis, an Accredited Pharmacy Technician at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

“I didn’t know pharmacy was even an option when I left school. It was always doctors, nurses, ambulances, I never imagined myself working in hospital pharmacy. But seven years later, here I am, and I absolutely love it.”

Starting out as an Assistant Technical Officer, Ellis quickly found her passion on the wards. Inspired by the pharmacy technicians she worked alongside, she took the leap and began her training.

Now a qualified and accredited pharmacy technician, she plays a vital role in patient care every day. From prioritising new admissions to supporting long-stay patients and managing discharges, her work is hands-on, compassionate, and deeply rewarding.

“I love the counselling side of the role, helping patients understand their medications, side effects, and how to take them safely. That personal touch makes a real difference, especially when someone’s nervous about going home.”

She’s also part of the HIV and sexual health pharmacy team, where she continues to make a meaningful impact. Looking ahead, she’s keen to get involved in education and training, supporting the next generation of pharmacy professionals.

When asked to sum up why she loves her job in one sentence, Ellis says, “It’s the patient satisfaction. Seeing someone through their journey and knowing you’ve helped — that’s everything.”



Mae hi hefyd yn rhan o dîm fferyllol HIV ac iechyd rhywiol, ble mae ei gwaith yn cael effaith gadarnhaol. Gan edrych tua’r dyfodol, mae hi'n awyddus i ymwneud ag addysg a hyfforddiant, gan gefnogi'r genhedlaeth nesaf o weithwyr fferyllol proffesiynol.

Pan ofynnwyd iddi grynhoi pam ei bod hi wrth ei bodd â'i swydd mewn un frawddeg, meddai Ellis, “Bodlonrwydd y claf yw popeth. Gweld rhywun ar eu taith a gwybod eich bod wedi helpu - dyna bopeth.”

19/10/2026

Could you please post this feedback to your page? I’d like the staff to see how much of a difference they made to my experience 🩷

I would like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the care I received throughout my pregnancy, birth and recovery.

A special thank you to Emma and Cris from the Antenatal Clinic, who supported me throughout my pregnancy. They were incredibly reassuring, encouraging and genuinely listened to me. I always felt supported to ask questions, understand my options and, importantly, advocate for my own choices and decisions. Their encouragement gave me confidence throughout what was sometimes an uncertain journey, and I am so grateful for that.

I also want to thank the whole team at The Grange University Hospital who cared for me during my induction and labour. When things changed unexpectedly and I needed an emergency caesarean section, the theatre team were absolutely incredible. Despite what was a very stressful situation, I felt safe, cared for and reassured by everyone around me.

A particularly special thank you goes to the High Dependency Labour Ward team, who looked after me so well following my surgery. Their care, kindness and reassurance during those first hours and days meant so much to me.

And finally, a huge thank you to the midwives who I remember by name — Ella, Michelle, Izzy and Brogan — as well as all the other midwives and staff whose names I unfortunately can’t remember. Every single one of you played a part in bringing my little boy safely into the world and looking after both of us afterwards.

On 12th August, we welcomed our beautiful little boy, and although his arrival didn’t quite go according to plan, I will always look back on my experience with so much gratitude for the incredible people who cared for us.

Thank you to every member of staff who supported us along the way. Your compassion, professionalism and dedication made such a difference to our experience, and I will never forget it. Lots of love Kelly, Rob & Albie ❤️

19/10/2026

We are currently experiencing exceptional demand across our hospitals due to a combination of increased emergency attendances of very sick patients and a high number of patients who are awaiting discharge across our hospitals.

As seen across other areas of Wales, we ask for your support by only attending our Emergency Department if it is life threatening, or you have a very serious injury.

Please be aware that anyone who attends with a less serious illness or injury will face a very long wait to be seen as we need to prioritise the sickest patients.

If you need medical help, please think carefully about the services you choose. Choosing the right place to receive advice and care will help us ensure that our hospitals are not overwhelmed and enable us to provide timely treatment for patients most in need.

Please consider visiting your local pharmacy, your GP, visit https://orlo.uk/74qgt or call NHS 111 for advice. You can also ring 111 if you need to access urgent appointments when your own GP surgery is closed.

You can also find the details of alternative services by visiting our online Gwent Health Guide: https://orlo.uk/ijBS5

18/10/2026

Meet Sian, a nurse at Glan yr Afon Surgery and as one of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s Menopause Champions, she helps people understand and manage the menopause.

Sian has worked at the surgery for 21 years. She completed her degree and Specialist Practitioner Qualification (SPQ) in 2013. Over the years, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

When asked why she wanted to help with menopause care, she said:

“I’ve seen many women who didn’t get the help they needed. Sometimes their symptoms were ignored. I wanted to make sure they had someone to talk to who understands and can give good advice.”

“The course I did taught me a lot. I now feel more confident talking to patients and helping them find the right treatment.”

She hopes this programme will help more people get the care they need for menopause, just like they do for other health problems.

18/10/2026

Menopause symptoms can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone 💛

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help manage symptoms, and there are several ways to take it, including tablets, patches, gels, sprays or local vaginal oestrogen. The right option depends on you — your health, whether you still have periods, and whether you’ve had a hysterectomy.

To help you feel confident and informed, we’ve got easy-to-read leaflets on our website that explain the different HRT options. They’re designed to help you prepare for a conversation with your GP or local menopause champion and ask the questions that matter to you.

Information is power — and the right conversation can make all the difference.

17/10/2026

"I'm proud to work at The Grange University Hospital."

Emergency Department nurse Rogelio Suansing sees first-hand the dedication, skill and compassion of colleagues every day.

He says: "Our teams work tirelessly to care for patients, often making difficult decisions to prioritise those who need urgent treatment most. I see incredible things happening every day, with staff saving lives and supporting patients and families through some of their most challenging moments."

Rogelio says he is proud to be part of a team that is committed to providing excellent care and helping people when they need it most.

17/10/2026

Want to save hundreds this October? 💷 Quitting smoking isn’t just good for your health - it’s great for your wallet too!

We recently asked you about your smoking and va**ng habits, and our initial results show that an average of £20 a week is spent on ni****ne products 🫨🤯

That’s:
🍽️ Family meals out
✈️ A holiday abroad
🎁 Extra treats at Christmas 🎄

This , challenge yourself to quit. In just 28 days, you could save around £300 - and that’s only the beginning.

👉 Join the thousands already taking part and start your smoke-free (and cash-smart) journey today: https://orlo.uk/lqwib

16/10/2026

How women are supported during miscarriage can have a lasting impact on their experience of care.

We're highlighting important research led by Rebekah De Silva, Research Midwife at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, exploring how women can be better supported when making decisions about miscarriage treatment options.

Read more: https://orlo.uk/67zjv