News
Crabb attacks cancer drugs policy

Out of excuses: Welsh Secretary attacks Welsh Labour Government
PEMBROKESHIRE MP, and Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb, has criticised the Welsh Labour Government for not introducing a Cancer Drugs Fund in Wales, after the UK Labour Party committed to introduce similar funding in England should they win the General Election in May. The UK Government introduced the existing Cancer Drugs Fund in England in 2010. Commenting, Mr Crabb said: “The Welsh Labour Government are all out of excuses for not implementing a Cancer Drugs Fund in Wales.
The CDF has had a truly positive impact on the lives of 66,000 cancer sufferers in England. “That’s why the UK Labour Party have signed up to it and it’s why 97,000 people signed a petition calling for one in Wales, including many people from Pembrokeshire. It is now time for Welsh Labour representatives in our County to call on their colleagues in the Assembly to bring this policy to Wales.
“The Welsh Government received an additional £123m in the Autumn Statement last week. This is enough to pay for a Welsh Cancer Drugs Fund several times over and so there is no excuse for denying people in Pembrokeshire and across Wales these life-saving drugs that are available across the border in England.”
The Herald contacted the Welsh Labour Assembly and received this exclusive response, as a spokesperson said: “We have no plans to introduce a cancer drugs fund in Wales. Even England is now reconsidering if some drugs currently available through its cancer drugs fund should be removed from the list due to rising costs. “A cancer drugs fund undermines the established system for the assessment of medicines for use in the NHS in Wales.
The fund’s own chairman has admitted that it has provided funding for cancer drugs which have ‘no impact on survival’ and ‘uncertainty as to whether quality of life is improved or not’. The spokesperson claimed that the Welsh Labour Assembly spends more per head on cancer than in England and a report in the highly-respected British Journal of Cancer shows Wales has a faster uptake of the drugs most recently launched and recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and that satisfaction rates with cancer services in Wales are extremely high and survival rates are rising faster than in other parts of the UK.
The spokesperson added: “We believe patients should receive costeffective and evidence-based treatment and care to meet their clinical needs. To do that, the NHS is guided by recommendations from NICE and the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group, which make decisions based on evidence, input from clinicians, health professionals and patients.”
Community
Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker
Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance
FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.
Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.






On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.
Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)









Community
Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation
SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.
Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.
In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.
Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.
Community
Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven
ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.
The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.
Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.
The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.

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Tomos
December 30, 2014 at 10:49 pm
It’s really scary, the Senedd is full of imbeciles , the Welsh NHS full of over paid senior managers who employ loads of spin doctors to protect their gravy train and to trample on whistle blowers – They think they can fool us with free parking and free prescriptions – I guess the logic is that there are more ppl wanting free parking @ hospitals than there are ppl dying because the budget (which is bigger than Englands budget per patient) is being spent on fripperies rather than the important stuff
ieuan
December 31, 2014 at 6:31 pm
If we were funded fairly from Westminster we could do it, I agree we have idiots in charge everywhere, however it has recently been admitted we have been short changed by Westminster for a long long time, time for Mr Crabb to do something about the funding, actual action not just giving it jaw!