Health

RAAC problems to persist at Withybush General Hospital

Published

8 months ago

October 29, 2024

WITHYBUSH Hospital in Haverfordwest is facing ongoing challenges due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), with management acknowledging the issue “will not go away, ever.” Malcolm Arnold, estates manager, stated that the hospital must continually monitor and manage RAAC throughout the building’s lifespan.

The problem first emerged last year, prompting the closure of six wards in the 12-ward facility. Though these wards reopened in April, Hywel Dda Health Board announced that further closures will be necessary for re-surveying by year-end. Despite these temporary shutdowns, Chief Operating Officer Andrew Carruthers reassured that this round of work will be “nothing like the scale” seen previously.

***Shoring props have been used as a temporary measure (Pic: Herald)***

Responding to the hospital manager’s statement, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Sam Rowlands MS expressed concern, calling for more comprehensive support for Welsh hospitals. He stated: “Hospitals in Wales need regular surveying, otherwise we will continue to see further capacity lost and patient lives put at risk. With our hospitals crumbling and leaking across Wales, the Labour Welsh Government needs to get real and put serious capital investment on the table to repair the NHS’ infrastructure.”

***Steel polls are also in use in treatments rooms and in sterile areas (Image: Herald)***

Raac, a cost-effective but less durable alternative to standard concrete, was commonly used in construction between the 1950s and 1990s. It poses structural concerns due to its limited lifespan, impacting numerous buildings in Wales, including schools, markets, and hospitals like Withybush. The Welsh Government allocated £12.8 million to address affected areas in the hospital.

***Crowd barriers, usually used outdoors, have been used to create ‘safe areas’ for staff and patients (Image: Herald)***

Following the major incident last year, departments such as outpatient clinics and kitchens have resumed operations, with physiotherapy and pharmacy expected to reopen soon. Nurse Sarah Davies, now working on a reopened ward, remarked on the positive atmosphere, saying: “It feels so good to be back… It’s just nice to have noise here.” However, she acknowledged the frustration that further closures would mean “one step forward, two back.”

The health board plans additional ground floor surveys in 2025 and 2026, with the expectation that Raac management will be an ongoing process. Carruthers commented, “The hospital is over the worst of it… [the re-surveying] will be for a very short period of time in small areas of the facility.” However, for Withybush, Raac is now a “business as usual” concern.

In addition to Withybush, Raac has been found in non-patient areas of Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, suggesting the material’s widespread reach across healthcare facilities in Wales.

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Chief Operating Officer Andrew Carruthers said: “We are really pleased that most of the Outpatients services which were relocated while we worked to repair the RAAC-affected outpatients’ clinical areas have now returned to Withybush.”

Because of the return of outpatient consultations to Withybush, patients are being asked to check their appointment correspondence to ensure that they attend the correct venue for their appointments.

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 please read the appointment letter carefully and note any change of venue, as appointments previously held at a community-healthcare sites may now have returned to Withybush,” said Mr Carruthers.

RAAC is a material that was commonly used in the construction of buildings between the 1960s and 1990s. Its presence was confirmed at Withybush Hospital in January 2022.

Although all wards affected by RAAC planks were re-opened in April this year, work will continue until April 2025 on remedial work to the hospital’s ground floors and affected wards will need to be temporarily closed while re-surveying work takes place at the end of this year and in to 2025.

Re-inspection surveys will begin on the ground floor areas affected by RAAC across 2025 and into 2026.

However, the kitchen has now re-opened and the Therapies area – including Physiotherapy – is on schedule to re-open in mid-November.

Work began on the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) area in August with the work expected to be finished by the end of the month and operational for mid-November. Work on the Pharmacy area is expected to begin in November and completed within the month.

“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,” said Mr Carruthers.

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

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

Further information on the RAAC issue at Withybush Hospital can be seen on our dedicated page on our website – RAAC – Hywel Dda University Health Board (nhs.wales).

Health

Have your say on NHS changes in Pembrokeshire

Published

22 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Drop-in events planned across the county as Hywel Dda consults on future of key services

A SERIES of public events is being held in Pembrokeshire this month and next as part of a major consultation by Hywel Dda University Health Board on the future of local NHS services.

The consultation, which covers nine different areas of care, could lead to significant changes in how services are delivered at hospitals and community facilities across west Wales – including Haverfordwest, Tenby and Pembroke Dock.

The Health Board says the aim is to tackle long-standing issues, reduce waiting times, and improve standards of care.

The services under review include:

Critical care
Dermatology
Emergency general surgery
Endoscopy
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedics
Radiology
Stroke
Urology

Proposals include reorganising how and where these services are delivered – something which may affect Withybush Hospital and community clinics across the county.

Local residents are being urged to attend one of several drop-in events, where Health Board staff will be available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Public events in Pembrokeshire include:

Friday 27 June – HaverHub, Haverfordwest, SA61 1BG, 2:00pm–7:00pm
Friday 4 July – Tenby Leisure Centre, SA70 8DU, 2:00pm–7:00pm
Thursday 10 July – Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DD, 3:00pm–6:00pm

A further event will be held in neighbouring Ceredigion at The Guildhall in Cardigan on Tuesday 8 July, from 2:00pm to 7:00pm.

There will also be a series of online consultation events, each focusing on specific service areas. People can register via the Hywel Dda website.

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at Hywel Dda, said: “No decisions have yet been made and no options have been preferred at this stage. This consultation is your chance to shape how services are delivered in the future. We are keen to hear from residents about what matters to them and how services can be improved.”

The Herald understands the proposed changes are part of the Health Board’s long-term strategy to build a more sustainable NHS in Mid and West Wales, but local campaigners have previously voiced concerns about potential downgrading of Withybush Hospital.

Pembrokeshire residents can share their views by attending an event or by completing an online questionnaire.

Full information about the proposals – including the consultation documents and registration links – is available at:
👉 hduhb.nhs.wales/clinical-services-consultation

Health

Welsh residents urged to wear sunglasses year-round, not just when it’s Sunny

Published

2 days ago

June 11, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WELSH residents could be putting their vision at risk by only wearing sunglasses when the sun is shining – with only 20% of people in Wales admitting to putting on their sunnies year-round.

Alarmingly, 50% of Welsh adults only reach for their sunglasses when it’s sunny, while just 36% wear them when the skies are overcast. This is despite the fact that UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and reflect off surfaces like water, sand and snow.

The research, commissioned by Specsavers, which polled 2,000 UK adults, also revealed that nearly 13% in Wales mistakenly believe that darker lenses offer better protection from UV rays. As a result, 23% have purchased sunglasses under this misconception, unaware that UV defence has nothing to do with the tint of the lens.

Ayad Shafiq, Cataract Clinical Lead at Newmedica, said: “Protecting your eyes from UV rays is essential to reduce the long-term risk of serious conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and even skin cancer around the eyelids. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats can significantly lower this risk. However, it’s important to note that individuals with existing cataracts or macular degeneration often require enhanced lighting to see clearly, so their need for light must be balanced carefully with UV protection. Consulting an eye care professional can help tailor the right approach for each individual.”

The research also uncovered a range of myths and misunderstandings around eye health. Almost a quarter of Welsh respondents (23%) wrongly believe sunglasses block all types of light damage, while 20% assume sunglasses never expire – both of which are false. Furthermore, 12% of people admit they rarely wear sunglasses even when it is sunny. Among this group, 32% say it’s simply not a habit they’ve picked up, and 26% find them inconvenient due to wearing prescription glasses.

When it comes to choosing new shades, most people in Wales spend just over 30 minutes researching the right pair, with 13% admitting they don’t wear sunglasses often enough to justify putting much effort into the decision. Of those, 46% want a pair that suits their face shape and feel more confident when they like how they look in sunglasses, and 29% say it’s essential their shades match their personal style.

Despite the confusion, many people are aware of the potential long-term damage UV rays can cause – with retinal damage (41%), photokeratitis (35%) and cataracts (26%) rated most highly. However, more than a third (35%) don’t associate cataracts with UV exposure, believing the condition is purely age-related. In fact, 27% say they’ve never seen any public health messaging linking the two.

According to the research, 41% admit they don’t know much about cataracts, even though 55% are worried about developing the condition.

To book an eye test, or to find the right pair of UV protection sunglasses for you, visit Specsavers.co.uk.

Health

New equipment will help locate NHS patients’ veins

Published

4 days ago

June 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Thanks to generous public donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities – the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board – has funded two handheld vein viewing systems for the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit and the Outpatients Department at Withybush Hospital.

At times, due to medical conditions or patient anxiety, it can be difficult for staff to take blood samples or insert a cannula. The new vein-finding equipment, worth over £9,000, will help reduce the number of unsuccessful attempts and improve the experience for both patients and staff.

Helen Johns, Hospital Service Manager, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the generous donations that have allowed us to purchase these two vein finders for Withybush Hospital.

“Both departments regularly take blood samples, and SDEC often needs to cannulate patients before starting treatment. As SDEC focuses on early interventions to avoid hospital admissions, any delay in treatment can impact that goal.

“This equipment will make a real difference – especially for anxious patients who may already be worried about their condition. If we can reduce failed attempts, we improve care and reduce delays.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, added: “The support from our local communities helps us to fund enhancements above and beyond what the NHS can provide in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Every donation makes a real impact, and we are truly thankful.”