Health board relocates Withybush Hospital outpatient appointments

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2023

OUTPATIENT consultations at Withybush Hospital, reduced due to the discovery of faulty Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) planks, will restart in alternative locations throughout Pembrokeshire.

RAAC is a material that was commonly used in the construction of buildings between the 1960s and 1990s.

Hywel Dda University Health Board closed the Outpatients A building at the Haverfordwest Hospital to complete essential survey work, resulting in a 50% reduction in appointments.

While all efforts have been made to keep disruption to a minimum, many outpatient services were relocated throughout the health board area. At the same time, the hospital’s management team worked to find suitable accommodation within Pembrokeshire.

All Outpatient services affected by the RAAC work have found new, albeit temporary, homes until the building is ready to accept patients again, but this is not expected until Summer 2024.

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Director of Operations, Andrew Carruthers, said: “We’re pleased that outpatient services have been relocated so quickly while we work to repair the RAAC-affected outpatients’ clinical areas in Withybush.

“We know that the survey work and remedial action has caused considerable disruption and concern among members of our community, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“The health board would like to thank hospital staff, patients and visitors for their patience and understanding over the last months while we carried out this essential work.”

Although three wards are expected to re-open by Christmas, work will continue over this and the next financial years to address the critical and high-risk planks. All affected wards are expected to be re-opened by April 2024, while remedial work on the ground floor will continue into the next financial year (April 2025).

Mr Carruthers said that the health board would write to patients to confirm the date, time and location of appointments or ring patients whose appointments are imminent.

“We urge everybody to read the appointment letter carefully and note any change of venue, as appointments previously held at Withybush Hospital may now be held at a Community Healthcare site.
“Please leave plenty of time for your journey, as parking is limited at some locations.”

Patients should note a reduced phlebotomy capacity at Withybush Hospital and are asked not to attend the Phlebotomy Room without an appointment. Appointments can be requested by telephoning 01437 772433.

Unfortunately, due to the Phlebotomy Room being closed at certain times, patients may be unable to have their blood taken on the same day as their appointment. They may need to make a further appointment to attend on another day.

Patients are being urged to use their own transport or to take public transport to reach appointments when possible. If they cannot, patients can access transport support by calling 0300 1232 303.

If patients have any concerns or need further information, please contact the Waiting List Support Service by telephone on 0300 303 8322 and choose option 3 or e-mail [email protected].

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.