News

Withybush: Midwife unit nears completion

Published

11 years ago

December 3, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Meet the team: Withybush Hospital’s Midwife Led Unit • Mark Griffiths

WITHYBUSH HOSPITAL’S Midwife Led Unit opened on Monday (Nov 10). Following the controversial introduction of midwifery led care in August, building works have ongoing within the maternity ward to provide a modern and purpose designed facility to mums who want to deliver in a homely and relaxed atmosphere. Catherine Cotter, Head of Midwifery and Women’s Health said: “It will be wonderful for our midwives and mums alike to start using this modern facility on Monday. It has been designed with comfort and relaxation in mind whilst providing an environment that caters for the needs of mums, partners and families. I’d like to pass on my personal thanks to everyone who has contributed over the past few months; many members of staff from numerous different teams have come together.

I would like to recognise all who have played their part, in particular our estates and hotel services teams for their dedication and hard work, all staff working within the Midwife Led Unit and BAM Construction.” From Monday (Nov 10), mumsto- be booked in to give birth at Withybush’s Midwife Led Unit will have access to three birthing suites with a dedicated birthing pool room, each complete with mood lighting and en-suite facilities. Despite a campaign by the board to put the changes in a positive light, the end of consultant-led obstetric care at Withybush has caused – and continues to cause – disquiet among expectant mums. While the record of births provided by the local authority records two births delivered in transit since August (one in an ambulance, the other in a private car), considerable concerns still exist about the present transport provision (one ambulance, not fitted with specialist equipment) between Withybush and West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen.

However, in a first in Wales, close team-working has been facilitated at Withybush by the location of the specialist ambulance team within the midwife-led unit and unit staff are keen to point out that the unit aims to provide a home away from home for expectant mums. In a letter to one Pembrokeshire resident, Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford claimed he would commission: “An independent evaluation of the impact of the revised neonatal services on newborn outcomes and patient experiences in twelve months’ time.” The Health Minister’s promise has been greeted with scepticism as to whether, as with other consultations and processes led by the Welsh Government, the terms of reference for such an evaluation will be skewed to deliver the results the Welsh Government wants. With two thirds of Pembrokeshire’s mums expected to deliver their children in Carmarthen, current expectant mothers will be relieved to find out that there is yet to be an emergency transfer between Haverfordwest and West Wales General Hospital. Apart from providing services at the point of delivery, the unit will also provide breast-feeding support, classes on active birth and pre and post natal support to Pembrokeshire mothers.

Crime

Repeat drug-driver banned for three years after Pembroke stop

Published

5 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Motorist was over legal limits for both cannabis and cocaine metabolite, court hears

A 35-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire motorist has been disqualified from driving after being caught behind the wheel while over the legal drug-drive limit.

Police received information on November 11 that David Webb had been driving a Kia Sorento along Buttermilk Lane, Pembroke, after taking drugs.

When stopped by officers, Webb admitted he had smoked cannabis the previous night. A roadside drug swipe tested positive, and subsequent blood analysis at the police station revealed 101 micrograms of benzoylecgonine — a cocaine metabolite — per litre of blood, along with 2.3 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The legal limits are 50 and 2 micrograms respectively.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this was Webb’s second drug-driving conviction, following a previous offence in October 2023.

Webb, of Strongbow Walk, Pembroke, was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order requiring him to complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Driver banned after refusing breath test despite admitting drinking

Published

5 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Motorist also damaged police cell blanket after arrest, court hears

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has been banned from the roads after repeatedly refusing to provide a breath sample despite admitting he had been drinking alcohol.

Police were called to Glenview Avenue, Pembroke Dock, on the evening of January 3 following a report from a member of the public who was concerned about a man sitting in a car who appeared to be under the influence.

Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that officers found the man, later identified as Sean Cook, appearing intoxicated while sitting in the vehicle.

“He appeared to be intoxicated and said he was listening to the radio,” she said.

Cook told officers he was not fit to drive because he had consumed alcohol. He was asked on three separate occasions to provide a breath test but refused each time.

The court heard he was obstructive throughout the encounter and refused to answer questions about his alcohol consumption.

Following his arrest, Cook was taken to Haverfordwest Police Station where he damaged a custody cell blanket by pulling out its stitching.

Cook, aged 58, of Glenview House, Glenview Avenue, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis and causing criminal damage.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, which includes 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and a 120-day Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation for the damaged blanket, a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Telecom vandal admits causing £33,000 damage to Pembroke Dock network

Published

5 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Fibre cables cut in early-morning incident that triggered major service disruption

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has admitted causing more than £33,000 worth of damage to a telecommunications network after cutting through fibre optic cables in the early hours of the morning.

Mickey Probert, aged 37, was seen lifting a drain cover in Wavell Crescent at around 3.50am on January 23, 2024, before entering an underground chamber and cutting through fibre infrastructure belonging to OGI.

Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that Probert had accessed a telecom footway chamber and cut through micro ducting and fibre cables.

Suspicions were raised when a nearby resident was woken by loud clanging noises and saw a man acting suspiciously near green utility boxes.

“The witness saw a male bend down in front of the boxes, lift the covers and shine a headtorch towards the ground,” she said.

Following a description provided by the witness, police arrested Probert. A search of his property uncovered wire cutters, a headtorch and a woolly hat.

The total cost of the damage to the OGI network was calculated at £33,767.98.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said his client was unable to explain his actions but was extremely remorseful.

“He has a lot of things going on that haven’t properly been explored,” he told the court.

Probert, currently of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Given the seriousness of the offence, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction, meaning sentencing must take place at a higher court.

Probert will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on March 10. The court requested an all-options probation report ahead of the hearing.