Two health centres in Gower will be redeveloped thanks to a £1.8m investment from the Welsh Government. Penclawdd and Murton health centres will benefit from funding to provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities.
 
In Penclawdd, the centre will see upgrades to provide a wide range of primary and community services provided from seven fully-modernised, multi-functional clinical rooms.
 
In Murton, the refurbishment work will involve significant external and internal work, including the refurbishment of four consulting and treatment rooms.
 
Gower Assembly Member Rebecca Evans said:
 
“This investment is very much welcomed and will result in more sustainable and efficient service provision for people living in Gower.
 
“The investment is part of a Welsh Government commitment to invest in a new generation of integrated health and care centres, and I am very pleased that patients using these two centres in my constituency will see the benefit.” 

Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Gower, has welcomed the announcement that the Welsh Government’s existing financial incentives for teacher training will be extended into the academic year 2019-20.
 
Rebecca Evans AM said: “This is an extremely positive announcement. The incentives have encouraged some our most gifted graduates to enter the field of teaching. The Welsh Government seeks to provide the highest quality of learning experience for every child in Wales, and to do this we need to encourage our brightest and best into teaching.”
 
The incentives of up to £20,000 per student aim to attract the best graduates into teaching priority subjects such as maths, chemistry, physics, computer science and modern foreign languages.
 
The Education Minster, Kirsty Williams AM said: “Giving school pupils the best possible education means attracting the best teachers into the profession, especially in priority subjects where the demand for new teachers is highest.”

Notes to Editors:
 
The incentives, of up to £20,000 per student, aim to attract the best graduates into teaching priority subjects such as maths, chemistry, physics, computer science and modern foreign languages.
 
Iaith Athrawon Yfory, the incentive scheme of up to £5,000 to train to teach secondary education in Welsh, will also continue in 2019-20. Iaith Athrawon Yfory can be applied for alongside the incentives for priority subjects, making the maximum incentive up to £25,000.
 
The highest value incentives are available to graduates undertaking Initial Teacher Education in the priority areas who hold a first class degree, Masters or PhD, with other incentives for graduates with 2:1 and 2:2 degrees.
 
The funding is for postgraduates starting Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses in the following subjects:
 
•             Up to £20,000 for mathematics, physics, chemistry, Welsh or computer sciences
•             Up to £15,000 for modern foreign languages
•             £3,000 for graduates with a first-class degree, a Masters or a PhD to teach all other main                         secondary subjects and primary
•             A £3,000 supplement for graduates with a first-class degree, a Masters or a PhD undertaking                  primary PGCE studies with subject specialism in English, Welsh, mathematics or science.
 
Further information on the incentives can be found at:
 
https://www.discoverteaching.wales/teacher-training-incentives/

With winter upon us, Gower Assembly Member Rebecca Evans AM is supporting a campaign reminding constituents to protect their pipes from the effects of freezing temperatures.

Costly burst pipes could leave homes without water or heating at coldest time of the year, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s ‘Wrap Up’ campaign reminds customers to make sure water pipes in their homes and businesses are protected to avoid the disruption and expense frozen pipes can cause.

Rebecca Evans AM said: “Frozen pipes which burst can cause unnecessary inconvenience and expense. However, this can be easily avoided by taking a few moments to check and protect the pipes.

“I’m pleased join Welsh Water in reminding people living in Gower to take note of the advice of the campaign and make sure they don’t get caught out by pipes freezing in their homes or businesses this winter.” 

Ian Christie, Welsh Water’s Managing Director of Water Services said: “Over the winter, our team will be working 24/7 to keep things flowing, but we also need a little help from our customers, by making sure their homes and businesses are ready for winter.  

“So, please take a minute to insulate any outdoor pipes or taps or taps in a cold place like a loft or garage, fix any dripping taps, make sure you know where your stop tap is, and keep the number of a qualified plumber handy in case the worst happens.”

Advice on insulating water pipes can be seen on the Welsh Water website: 
www.dwrcymru.com/coldweather

​Gower Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans AM, has met with Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) at Singleton Hospital to hear first-hand about the vital work that they do.
 
Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs), work closely with medical and nursing staff in the eye clinic, and the sensory team in social services. They provide people who have been recently diagnosed with an eye condition with the practical and emotional support they need to understand their diagnosis, deal with their sight loss and maintain their independence.
 
Rebecca Evans AM said: “To find that you eyesight is deteriorating, or to experience sight loss, can be extremely frightening - and it’s better not to face it alone. ECLOs are key in helping patients understand the impact of their diagnosis and providing them with emotional and practical support for the next steps at what can be a traumatic and uncertain time.”
 
ECLOs, also known as Sight Loss Advisers or Vision Support Officers, are one of the most effective ways of supporting patients in eye clinics, working alongside eye sight professionals, to provide a more holistic approach.