Long-running 3 Amigos and Dollies group marks 25 years of support

THANKS to outstanding fundraising by the Pembrokeshire-based 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group, Hywel Dda Health Charities has funded a major improvement of the outdoor play area at Cilgerran children’s ward in Glangwili Hospital — a project costing more than £15,000.

The 3 Amigos and Dollies have supported Hywel Dda University Health Board’s children’s services for twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas toy runs becoming landmark dates in the local calendar, drawing hundreds of bikers and supporters from across west Wales.

The latest funding has delivered a full transformation of the ward’s outdoor space, including a re-sprayed graffiti wall, new toys and play equipment, a summer house, improved storage, and a moveable ramp to make the area more accessible for young patients. Members of the group even volunteered to help paint and refresh the space themselves.

Paula Goode, Service Director for Planned and Specialist Care, said: **“We are so grateful to the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group for their amazing support. Not only have they raised an incredible amount for the ward, but they have given their time to help make the outdoor space as special as possible.

“Outdoor play greatly reduces stress and anxiety for children, and it provides a vital opportunity to meet other young people going through similar experiences. It benefits both their physical and mental wellbeing, so we couldn’t be happier with the transformation.”

Tobi Evans, a volunteer with the fundraising group, said: “Because of the generosity of everyone who donates, we are able to give thousands each year. We are always humbled by how much people give, and it’s thanks to them that we’ve reached our 25th year.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer for Hywel Dda Health Charities, added: “We can’t thank the 3 Amigos and Dollies enough for their support for Cilgerran ward. You have put a smile on so many faces. Diolch yn fawr!”

Hywel Dda Health Charities funds items, equipment and activities that go beyond core NHS funding, making a meaningful difference to children and families across mid and west Wales.

PATIENTS are being treated in store cupboards, break rooms and toilets as so-called corridor care becomes the norm in Welsh hospitals, the Senedd has heard.

Senedd Members warned treating patients in inappropriate areas has become a “daily reality” rather than an exception as they debated calls for the practice to be eradicated.

The debate was prompted by a petition – submitted by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and British Medical Association (BMA) – which gathered more than 10,000 signatures.

Petitioners demanded that keeping patients on trolleys or chairs for a long time be formally classified as a “never event” – a serious, preventable safety incident that should not happen.

But the Welsh Government rejected the calls, arguing the strict definition of a “never event” applies only to preventable medical mistakes – not systemic capacity pressures.

The petition urged ministers to start reporting on corridor care, pause reductions in hospital beds, invest in community care, and prioritise prevention and early intervention.

Sharing her own experience, Reform UK’s Laura Anne Jones argued corridor care is one of the clearest signs of a health service that has been allowed to fall into crisis.

“I was placed on a broken bed in a corridor for two nights before a room became available,” she said. “I was in too much pain to care at the time but those caring for me said how completely inappropriate it was and kept apologising for it.”

Ms Jones added: “I could hear private conversations between consultants, doctors and nurses about other patients. And I was right against a curtainless window… there was no dignity, no privacy, and that’s just not OK.”

The Conservatives’ Joel James told the Senedd thousands of patients are now being treated on trolleys in corridors, in ambulances, store cupboards and other places not meant for care. “This is putting life at risk,” he said. “They are being treated without proper facilities.”

Mr James warned: “NHS Wales doesn’t even collect data on who is being treated in a corridor. That frankly should surprise no-one, as Welsh Labour’s philosophy has always been, if you don’t measure it, then there is no evidence to pin you down on it.”

His Tory colleague Janet Finch-Saunders said: “I even know of situations where a paramedic will leave a patient in an ambulance with a new paramedic coming on. When that paramedic comes back on the next shift, the same patient is still in that ambulance

“How can that be morally right? It’s inhumane, it’s cruel and it’s certainly unacceptable.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary, warned the “demeaning and dangerous” practice has become an “almost inescapable” part of hospital care.

“What should be the exception has now been normalised,” he said.

Rhys ab Owen, who sits as an independent, highlighted reports of patients being cared for in “car parks, break rooms and even toilets”.

Labour’s Carolyn Thomas, who chairs the Senedd’s petitions committee, warned that RCN and BMA members view corridor care as a “systemic national crisis”.

Responding to the debate on Wednesday December 10, Jeremy Miles acknowledged that corridor care “compromises patient dignity and staff wellbeing”.

But Wales’ health secretary insisted that designating corridor care as a “never event” was not the solution. “The delivery of care in undesignated or non-clinical environments doesn’t meet the criteria due to the complexity of underlying causes,” he said.

Mr Miles told the Senedd: “We do not endorse routine care in non-clinical environments. Our goal is to eliminate this practice through system-wide reform.

“Eradicating care in undesignated or non-clinical environments will not be a simple quick fix. It requires co-ordinated action across health and social care.”

Health board urges public to help protect vulnerable patients

From today (Thursday, December 11, 2025), Hywel Dda University Health Board has reintroduced mandatory face masks for all visitors and staff in clinical and patient-facing areas as cases of flu and other respiratory viruses continue to rise across west Wales.

The health board says the number of patients needing care for respiratory illnesses has been “increasing at a steady rate”, prompting the return of precautionary measures. All staff — regardless of role — must now wear a surgical mask when in clinical environments or interacting with patients, unless otherwise advised through PPE guidance. Visitors must also wear masks when entering clinical areas, including when attending appointments at hospitals and community sites.

Sharon Daniel, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience, said the precaution was necessary to prevent further spread within local hospitals.

“We are seeing a growing number of people with flu and other respiratory viruses needing our care and need to take this proactive step to limit the spread within our services and sites,” she said. “This change is effective immediately and our Infection Prevention colleagues will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis.”

Ms Daniel reminded visitors not to attend hospitals if unwell.
“You should only come to our sites if you are feeling well, and to wait 48 hours after you are free of flu and cold-like symptoms, or sickness and diarrhoea. This helps protect our most vulnerable patients and keeps staff well so they can look after those in greatest need.”

While visiting remains open, Hywel Dda warned this could change at short notice if virus levels continue to increase.

Masks will be available at all hospital and community site entry points.

Health board urges public support

Ms Daniel added: “There are several ways people can support our NHS during this time. Please follow the mask-wearing guidance and ensure that you wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water.

“A simple way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe this winter is to have a flu vaccination. Information on where you can get your vaccine — including RSV and COVID-19 boosters if eligible — is available on our website.”

More information about vaccination clinics can be found at hduhb.nhs.wales/fluvaccine.
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