News
Rhod Gilbert’s HIMfertility campaign joins Fertility Network UK

Fertility Network UK, the nation’s leading patient-focused fertility charity, is proud to announce that Rhod Gilbert’s HIMfertility campaign will merge with the charity’s existing male fertility initiatives, including a male-only support group, to support more men in the UK.
“I started the HIMfertility campaign after my wife and I had issues trying to conceive,” explained Rhod Gilbert. “The experiences we had while exploring fertility issues showed me just how little support and understanding there is around male infertility. I want to encourage men to open up and talk about the issue and to get the right support.”
Although infertility affects around one in six couples in the UK, it is not common knowledge that an estimated 40-50% of these cases are caused by male factor fertility issues. In his recent BBC documentary Rhod Gilbert: Stand Up to Infertility, the comedian used his own experience of fertility problems to launch HIMfertility, a campaign designed to destigmatise and raise awareness of male infertility. Rhod’s documentary is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.
Gwenda Burns, Chief Executive said: “We are delighted Rhod’s HIMfertility campaign is joining forces with our charity. The campaign and documentary have been very successful in raising awareness of male fertility issues and we want to continue to build on that momentum. What we need to see now is a greater focus on men: support for men experiencing fertility problems, as well as research into male fertility. This new opportunity is a big step in the right direction against making infertility – male or female – a taboo subject.”
Rhod Gilbert to join male-only support meeting
The comedian and face of HIMfertility will join the next online meeting of Fertility Network UK’s Male Support Group on Wednesday 17th February 2021. Currently, the group meet online each month to offer support to each other and to learn from guest speakers. Members of the group are currently fundraising to take on #BaseCampforFertility, an expedition to Everest Base Camp planned for March 2022.
News
Pembrokeshire residents can quickly check symptoms for variety of conditions on NHS 111 Wales online

NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker can save Pembrokeshire patients time by helping them find the right NHS service for treatment. Symptoms can be quickly checked for a variety of conditions and advice given on the best way to treat them by visiting www.111.wales.nhs.uk which is hosted by the Welsh Ambulance Service.
The way we access NHS services has changed as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with more options now becoming increasingly utilised, including the NHS 111 Wales online service which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be used for both health information and advice and to access urgent primary care in Welsh and English.
In a recent YouGov survey, a third of Pembrokeshire residents had not even heard of the NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker and only 19% had used it during the past 12 months.
Andrew Carruthers, Director of Operations at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We are asking everyone to help us by reconsidering the way you access NHS services. The methods available have changed but we are still here for you. It is worth getting to know the different ways you can access the NHS so you can be seen and treated quicker with your first port of call being NHS 111 Wales.”
According to the YouGov survey, carried out for the Welsh Government’s Keep Wales Safe campaign, only 67% of Pembrokeshire residents had heard of the NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker. However, 86% said they felt it was important to have access to the service.
NHS 111 Wales online can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. The way it works is: You answer questions about your symptoms on the website and depending on the situation you will:
- Get self-care advice
- Be told how to get any medicine you need
- Find out what local service can help you
- Be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP
- Get a face-to-face appointment if you need one
- Be given an arrival time if you need to go to A&E – this might mean you spend less time in A&E
For those who don’t have confidence going online to seek advice, there is the NHS 111 Wales phone service. This is also a free service where patients can contact the NHS by dialling 111 to receive advice on the best way to manage their issue or gain further assistance if needed. The bilingual telephone service is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Eighty-four percent of Pembrokeshire residents had heard of the NHS 111 Wales phone service when asked for the recent YouGov survey but only 20% had used the telephone service during the last 12 months.
News
Trial date for son accused of killing mum

THE SON of Judith Rhead, 68, who was found dead in her home in Market Street, Pembroke Dock on Feb 20 will now appear in Crown Court again in October.
Dale Morgan, 43, said to be a scout master, appeared in court only to confirm his name, date of birth and address – which was listed as Honeyborough Green, Neyland.
A plea and trial preparation hearing date was set for March 26 with a provisional trial date set for October 4.
He was remanded in custody.
In court papers it stated that the alleged murder took place between December 10, 2020 and February 21, 2021.
The paperwork demonstrates that the police are unsure of the exact date that Ms Rhead died. The large date range, two months, points to the likelihood that this will be a challenging case for all those involved.
News
Launch of Haverfordwest Castle Conservation Management Plan

MEMBERS of the public are being asked to help shape the future of Haverfordwest Castle as a draft Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is launched.
One of Pembrokeshire’s most important historical assets, the Castle is owned by Pembrokeshire County Council, which has produced the CMP.
The plan:
▪ sets out the significance of the castle and describes how the building will be protected with any new use, alteration, repair or management;
▪ will help with the planning of maintenance, conservation and repair work and adaptation of the site to meet new or changing uses;
▪ will help promote understanding of the site and look at improving public access and activities for local people and visitors;
▪ will support proposals to conserve the castle and adaptations of the site in response to climate change;
▪ and underpin funding applications to support improvements
An engagement exercise has been launched alongside the Plan, giving members of the public with an interest in the historic and/or environmental significance of the castle an opportunity to comment on the document and share their views.
To take part in the engagement exercise, please click on the following link:
https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/regeneration-communities
The deadline for responses is Sunday, March 28, 2021.
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