News

No return for baby unit

Published

10 years ago

February 24, 2016

Mark Drakeford, AM: ‘Best advice’ says no way back for SCBU

WHILE Deputy Minister Vaughan Gething visited Withybush Hospital on Monday (Feb 1), his boss, Welsh Health Minister Professor Mark Drakeford was in Llanelli being interviewed by Herald reporter Alan Evans.

Attacking Conservative election pledges, Professor Drakeford told The Herald: “The Tories say they want to spend more on the health service. People need to look at their record, rather than what they say. The Welsh Government has 10% less money to spend every single year and 30% less on capital funding to make sure we have the buildings and equipment we need for the future.

“Right across England where the Tories are in charge trusts are being instructed to sack nurses because their budget is so badly overspent.”

Professor Drakeford concluded: “The Tories are in public life to cut and cut again.”

We asked about the 8,500 signature petition to reverse the centralisation of services in Glangwili Hospital and whether it would sway the decision to remove maternity and SCBU services from Withybush Hospital.

The Minister’s response was unequivocal and un-encouraging: “That decision came to me as a recommendation from the Board. The decision was independently reviewed last year. It will not be reversed, because the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health – in other words, the clinical specialists who we have to rely on for advice – tell us that the way things are done now is the best way for mothers and babies.

“I will not make a decision that is not good for patients. All the best advice tells us that mothers and babies in that part of Wales have a better service now as a result of the change.”

Praising the front line staff, Mark Drakeford told us: “We have a fantastic group of midwives working out of Withybush who can do more in the future. You can’t go backwards to a position where people in that part of Wales will get a service that nobody else in Wales would be prepared to put up with.

“We are looking at making sure that we have a strong midwife service who in the future will take 40% of all births that happen in that area. Where a mother needs a specialist service above and beyond what a midwife unit can provide that mother needs to know that she will be looked after somewhere where all the expertise she needs is available every single day right around the clock. You can’t do that if you spread your resources thinly everywhere.”

The Minister concluded by telling our reporter: “You do have to concentrate in a place to guarantee that the service that is provided is the service that is needed and it will be at Glangwili and we will invest more money again in the next financial year to improve the physical fabric of that service. Mothers in this part of Wales will be better off as a result.”

News

Local rugby talent Osian Williams selected for Wales Under-20 clash with England

Published

9 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Herald Sport

A FORMER Haverfordwest Blues junior has earned international honours after being selected to represent Wales Under-20 rugby union team in their fixture against England.

Osian Williams, who began his rugby journey at Haverfordwest Rugby Football Club, will pull on the red jersey this evening in what marks a proud milestone for both the player and the Pembrokeshire club that helped develop his talent.

Club members said the call-up reflects years of hard work, commitment and steady progress through the ranks, with Williams recognised locally for his determination and performances on the pitch from a young age.

A spokesperson for Haverfordwest RFC said the whole club is “incredibly proud” to see one of their own step onto the international stage.

They added that it is always special to watch former junior players progress to represent their country, describing Williams’ selection as “fully deserved” and an inspiration to the next generation coming through the Blues’ youth setup.

The match against England provides a stern test for the young Welsh side, but for Williams and his family it is also a moment to savour after years of dedication to the sport.

Friends, coaches and former teammates are expected to be cheering him on from Pembrokeshire as he makes his mark in Welsh colours.

Photo caption:

Osian Williams has been selected to play for Wales Under-20s against England (Pic: Supplied).

Crime

Man arrested for murder following death of pensioner in Pembroke Dock

Published

9 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Officers called to Hawkstone Road property as investigation continues and residents urged to come forward

DYFED-POWYS POLICE officers have launched a murder investigation following the sudden death of an eighty-five-year-old man at a property in Hawkstone Road, Pembroke Dock.

Emergency services were called at approximately 1:30pm today (Friday, Feb 6).

Officers attended the scene and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the death.

A man in his forties has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information that could assist officers is urged to come forward.

Information can be provided online, by 101.

Quote reference: 212 of February 6.

Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via their website.

Education

Second west Wales school placed in lockdown within days

Published

9 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Precautionary measures activated at Ysgol Brynteg after morning disturbance outside gates

CARMARTHENSHIRE pupils were kept inside classrooms after a precautionary lockdown was triggered at Ysgol Brynteg on Friday morning (Feb 6), marking the second west Wales secondary school to enter lockdown in the same week.

Police were called shortly after 9:00am following reports of a verbal altercation outside the school grounds.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended and the Llanelli school activated its safeguarding procedures while the situation was assessed.

No weapons were reported, no injuries have been confirmed and there have been no arrests at this stage. The incident is understood to have involved a dispute outside the site rather than inside the school itself.

Pupils remained indoors under staff supervision while officers made checks. Once police were satisfied there was no ongoing risk, the lockdown was lifted and lessons continued as normal.

A spokesperson said the measure was purely precautionary.

The incident comes just days after armed officers were deployed to Milford Haven School following a serious assault on a teacher, prompting a temporary closure and widespread concern among parents.

While the circumstances in Llanelli were far less severe, the two events occurring so close together have heightened anxiety among families across west Wales.

Schools routinely use lockdown procedures when there is any uncertainty or potential threat nearby, even if the risk later proves minimal. The approach is designed to err on the side of caution and protect pupils while emergency services investigate.

Parents were informed that Brynteg was safe and operating normally once the situation had been resolved.

There is currently no indication that pupils inside the school were directly involved in the disturbance.

The Herald understands enquiries are ongoing.

Both incidents underline how quickly everyday school days can be disrupted, and how safeguarding responses are increasingly becoming part of standard practice across Welsh schools.

Anyone with information about the Llanelli incident is asked to contact police.