Health

Ombudsman finds Health Board failed vulnerable epilepsy patients

Published

1 month ago

October 9, 2025

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has ruled that Hywel Dda University Health Board failed to provide adequate care for epilepsy patients with learning disabilities.

The finding follows a complaint by seven families whose loved ones relied on a specialist epilepsy service that was abruptly discontinued in June 2021. The families said the Health Board failed to make proper alternative arrangements — and, four years on, still has no clear plan to meet the needs of these highly vulnerable patients.

In upholding the complaint, the Ombudsman expressed concern at the Health Board’s ongoing failings, which have affected “a very vulnerable group of patients.”

Marie James, one of the mothers involved in the complaint, said she felt “relieved” by the Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations. Marie cares for her adult son, Trystan, who has a genetic disorder causing daily seizures and weekly tonic-clonic episodes.

She said: “Since June 2021, the Health Board has failed to provide access to appropriate healthcare for our loved ones with epilepsy and learning disabilities. We were left without signposting or direction — a total failure of service. It made us feel that the responsibility was completely on our shoulders to ensure our children received the best epilepsy care we could provide.”

Marie said she and the other mothers tried to engage constructively with the Health Board but found the responses “disheartening.”
“The seven of us mums know that, to a degree, we can advocate for our children,” she added. “But any one of us could face new or emergency situations tomorrow, or see our sons or daughters move into supported living environments. That’s the real fear driving us — to ensure there’s a service that meets the needs of all vulnerable adults with epilepsy and a learning disability.”

The Ombudsman made several recommendations, all of which the Health Board has accepted. It must now:

Establish a clear Learning Disability Epilepsy Care Pathway accessible to all patients in its area.
Provide written apologies to each of the seven complainants within two months, acknowledging the lack of communication and care planning following the service’s closure.
Conduct a full review of its learning disability epilepsy patient lists within four months to ensure every individual has an up-to-date care plan, risk assessment, and emergency medication plan — including those who have been missed or are still awaiting neurology appointments.

Jane Hanna, Director of Policy and Influencing at SUDEP Action, said:
“Our role was to stand alongside the families in their fight. We’re pleased the Ombudsman issued such strong recommendations with clear timelines and that our request for an independent expert to review the Health Board’s future actions was included in the final report.”

Marie added: “We’re greatly indebted to SUDEP Action. Trystan’s life has been enhanced because of their support, and his risks have been reduced.”

The full Ombudsman’s report will be available from October 9 at www.ombudsman.wales

Health

Davies calls for urgent action on ‘staggering’ NHS waiting times

Published

21 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID AND WEST WALES MS Paul Davies has called on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to tackle what he described as “staggering” orthopaedic waiting times across south-west Wales.

Speaking in the Senedd yesterday (Tuesday, Nov 11), the Preseli Pembrokeshire Member said that 10% of people in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area are waiting 79 weeks or more to begin treatment following referral.

“Many of these patients are living in pain and discomfort,” Mr Davies told the chamber. “Delays in receiving treatment can cause more complex health issues and have a serious impact on people’s quality of life. We need a clear update on what action is being taken to bring these waiting times down.”

Mr Davies said the figures were “deeply worrying” and called for a detailed plan from ministers to reduce backlogs, warning that patients across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are suffering the consequences of long waits.

Welsh Government response

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We continue to invest in reducing the longest waits and are working with health boards to develop additional surgical capacity, including a regional orthopaedic model for south-west Wales.”

The regional model, jointly approved by Hywel Dda and Swansea Bay health boards in August 2024, is designed to increase surgical throughput by coordinating high-volume, low-complexity procedures at selected hospitals across the region. Audit Wales has reported early signs of increased capacity, though full implementation is still under way.

Orthopaedic waiting times remain among the highest in Wales, despite ongoing efforts to expand surgical capacity at Withybush, Glangwili and Prince Philip hospitals.

Health

Compulsory housing for birds as Wales faces high avian flu risk

Published

2 days ago

November 11, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POULTRY and bird keepers across Wales will be legally required to house their birds from Thursday (Nov 13) as the Welsh Government introduces strict new measures to contain the growing threat of avian influenza.

The decision follows a sharp rise in cases among both wild and kept birds across Great Britain, prompting warnings about the impact on animal welfare, food production and public health.

Legal requirement from Thursday

From Thursday, all keepers of fifty or more birds of any species must keep them housed.
The same rule will also apply to smaller flocks if eggs or poultry products are sold or given away, because of the increased risk of disease spread through trading or sharing.

The move forms part of the existing Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), which was first introduced in January. Additional biosecurity requirements are also being brought in for the gamebird sector, following outbreaks last season.

Government: “Difficult but necessary”

Deputy First Minister and Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies said the decision was not taken lightly but was vital to protect flocks and livelihoods.

He said: “The risk of disease has recently increased further, and Wales is now facing a very high level of avian influenza risk. The decision has not been taken lightly, but it is necessary to protect both our bird populations and the livelihoods of poultry keepers across Wales.”

“I urge all bird keepers to comply with these requirements and maintain the highest standards of biosecurity. By acting now, we can help prevent the spread of this disease and protect our flocks.”

CVO: “Housing is not a substitute for biosecurity”

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales Dr Richard Irvine warned that while housing birds is a key control measure, strict hygiene and biosecurity remain essential.

“We are seeing a sharp increase in the number of avian influenza cases in kept and wild birds. In the face of very high risk levels, mandatory bird housing measures will now apply across the whole of Wales,” he said.

“Housing measures can help protect birds, but they are not a substitute for stringent hygiene and biosecurity. I urge all keepers to act now, familiarise themselves with the biosecurity checklist online, and report any suspected cases immediately.”

Measures to remain under review

The housing order and AIPZ will remain in place until further notice and will be reviewed regularly by the Welsh Government, working alongside the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the other UK administrations.

Health

Nine GPs for 22,500 patients — “Residents deserve better,” says Kurtz

Published

3 days ago

November 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE MS Samuel Kurtz has warned that patients in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock are being left behind amid what he calls a “growing GP crisis” in the area.

During Health Questions in the Senedd, Mr Kurtz raised concerns about Argyle Medical Group in Pembroke Dock, now the second-largest GP practice in Wales, caring for more than 22,500 patients with just nine GPs — an average of around 2,500 patients per doctor.

By comparison, Sketty and Killay Medical Centre in Swansea has 18 GPs for just under 22,000 patients — almost double the workforce for the same population.

Mr Kurtz said patients were facing long waits for appointments and staff were under “unsustainable pressure”. He accused the Welsh Government of failing to plan properly for the healthcare needs of rural and coastal communities, calling for urgent action to boost GP recruitment and retention, fair funding for rural practices, and timely access to care.

***Samuel Kurtz MS addressed the Health Minister about Argyle Medical Group in Pembroke Dock during Health Questions in the Senedd last week.***

Speaking after the exchange, he said: “Patients in Pembrokeshire deserve the same access to GP care as those in other parts of Wales, yet they’re being left behind.

“Doctors and staff at Argyle Medical Group are doing their very best under immense strain, but they simply don’t have the numbers to meet demand. This is a workforce crisis that needs immediate attention.

“The Welsh Government must recognise the unique challenges faced by rural healthcare providers and act now to ensure communities in west Wales aren’t forgotten.”

Mr Kurtz added that he had requested an urgent meeting with the Health Minister, Argyle Medical Group and Hywel Dda University Health Board to address what he described as “the number one issue of concern” raised by his constituents.

Earlier this year, The Herald reported that GP shortages in Wales had left patients per doctor at nearly double the European average, with Argyle Medical Group specifically cited as one of the most overstretched practices in the country.
At that time, the practice was treating around 25,000 patients with nine GPs, highlighting long-standing recruitment difficulties in the county.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has previously said that it continues to work closely with local practices to improve capacity and maintain patient access to services, including through cluster working and recruitment incentives for hard-to-staff rural areas.