Weekly update – Wales

A short update on recent Covid-19 developments from Emma, Genetic Alliance UK’s Policy and Engagement Manager for Wales.

• First Covid-19 themed Genomics Cafe in partnership with Wales Gene Park this week attended by Prof Keir Lewis from Hywel Dda Uni Health Board, Dr Tom Connor from Public Health Wales and Prof Steve Conlan from Swansea University.
• Shielding guidance unchanged and in place until 16 August. Easy read guide on shielding produced by the Welsh Government now available.
• Non-essential shops due to open from Monday and childcare facilities set to reopen. The stay local message is still in place with people being advised not to travel more than 5 miles unless they have compassionate reasons to do so. This will be reviewed on 6th July when Welsh Government hope to lift restrictions on staying local.
• Welsh update released regarding the use of Dexamethasone in Covid-19. The Health Minister has stated that all Welsh health boards have been participating in the RECOVERY trial with 427 patients recruited to the study from hospitals in Wales. The all Wales hospital guidance for treatment of the virus has been updated to take account of the findings and an alert has been issued to every NHS organisation and clinician working in Wales setting out the positive benefits of dexamethasone and advising them to consider it as a treatment option for hospitalised Covid-19 patients requiring oxygen and ventilation.
• Education Minister, Kirsty Williams launched the school and community-based counselling toolkit for children and young people this week.

Emma is meeting with Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) and Chair of Rare Disease Implementation Group, Dr Graham Shortland again next week so please continue to raise issues in relation to shielding, accessing specialised services via email: emma@geneticalliance.org.uk