Public Health Protection
Public health is centred around promoting and safeguarding the health and well-being of our communities while actively working to prevent illness and disease. While there are many steps individuals can take to maintain their own health—such as adopting healthy lifestyles and making informed choices—the role of the Council, along with other public and private organisations, is equally crucial. These include monitoring environmental factors, regulating food safety, ensuring clean water, and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Additionally, public health protection addresses the broader social determinants of health, such as housing, education, and access to healthcare, all of which can impact the health of individuals and communities.
Our dedicated Social Care and Health Protection Team plays a key role in supporting public health in Carmarthenshire. The team includes:
- Community Health Protection Coordinator
- Integrated Senior Community Infection Prevention Nurse (A joint role between Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board)
- Health Protection, Support and Advice Officers
Together, this team works closely with local communities and care providers to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, protect vulnerable populations, and create healthier environments for everyone.
The team works in partnership with care homes across the county—including those run by the Local Authority and privately operated facilities supporting older adults, people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, and children’s homes.
This includes:
- Supporting care homes in managing outbreaks of acute respiratory illnesses and other communicable diseases in collaboration with Hywel Dda University Health Board and Public Health Wales
- Delivering training to improve infection prevention practices
- Carrying out environmental reviews to help care homes improve their standards continuously
If you own, manage, or work in a care home and need advice or support around infection prevention and control, please contact us at:
📧 IPCCAREHOME@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
The Social Care and Health Protection Team regularly attends public events, forums, and community groups to share practical health messages and advice. These include participating in events such as Ageing Well and Living Well, where the team promotes key topics like good hand hygiene, cough etiquette, the importance of vaccinations for those eligible, and staying hydrated to help prevent infections such as urinary tract infections. Each October, the team also leads a series of community outreach activities during Infection Prevention Week, raising awareness about the importance of preventing the spread of infection across homes, care settings, and the wider community.
