A Haverfordwest moving and handling conference - to share best practice and make sure patients are in safe hands - has been hailed a great success.

Organised by the Moving and Handling Forum, which is celebrating its second anniversary, the conference included a range of speakers from care and social services inspectors to nurses and moving and handling co-ordinators.

Topics covered included falls prevention, pressure area prevention, complex needs of adults and children, care of the heavier person and personalisation and moving and handling.

Hywel Dda Health Board's moving and handling co-ordinator at Withybush General Hospital, Lorraine Dawson, said: "We were extremely pleased with the wide range of professionals, from across the public and independent sector, in attendance and feedback was extremely good."

Moving and handling is extremely important for patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings as it is undertaken by staff to assist in patient care many times a day - from assisting patients in their day-to-day activities and treatment to providing total care using specialist equipment.

The forum has promoted collaborative working and allowed for the sharing of best practice and resources across the county.

For example, trainers from hospital and care home settings have updated their skills through the Moving and Handling Train the Trainer courses organised by the forum in conjunction with HME Training Ltd and Hywel Dda Health Board.

Terry Coe, a client of Elliots Hill Care from Haverfordwest, said: "The carers moving and handling is first class and the standard has definitely improved. This makes it safer for me and also for the carers themselves."

Elliots Hill Care moving and handling advisor and secretary of the forum, Jo Swift, added: "Being a member of the forum has brought many benefits for the organisation and also for the people that we support.

"It enables us to network with other professionals within the field of health and social care, to access advice and support, share information on best practice and work together towards the highest standard of moving and handling practice."

The forum has been active in setting up working groups and shared professional standards and training, as well as organising a public awareness day at Withybush General Hospital.

Sue Mason, manager of Pencoed Care Home, Wooden, said: "The forum is a major benefit to us in our work as moving and handling is something that all staff do many times a day, and it is crucial that it is done in the right way and with the right equipment.

"For example, transferring patients in and out of bed, chairs, baths, vehicles, and so on, is often problematic, but with the use of specialised equipment such as hoists and chairs it greatly reduces the risk of accidents.

"It also helps outside the care home, as the correct use of specialist equipment has allowed us to take residents on UK and foreign holidays, offering them special experiences."

Forum members meet on a bi-monthly basis at various locations around the county. New members with an interest in moving and handling are always welcome. Please contact Jo Swift, secretary, for more information by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or telephoning 01437 764720.