Health

Air pollution monitoring scheme in Pembroke and Haverfordwest could end

Published

2 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PUBLIC consultation which could lead to the ending of an air quality management scheme in Pembroke and Haverfordwest, brought in after high levels of pollution were recorded back in 2012, is expected to be backed by senior councillors.

At the Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet meeting of January 12, members are recommended to support a six-week public consultation on the proposal to revoke the Haverfordwest and Pembroke Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).

A report for members ahead of the meeting says: “In 2012, Pembrokeshire County Council identified that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were exceeding the national annual mean objective within certain areas of Pembroke (specifically along Main Street) and within sections of Haverfordwest’s main commercial streets.

“The elevated concentrations were attributed primarily to road traffic emissions, particularly in narrow streets where vehicle emissions were less effectively dispersed. Although the number of exceedances was limited, the council had a statutory duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to take action to achieve and maintain compliance with national air quality objectives.

“Consequently, as a precautionary measure, Pembrokeshire County Council formally designated these areas as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).”

It added: “To support the AQMA designations, a comprehensive local monitoring network was established, comprising 48 diffusion tube monitoring stations across both Haverfordwest and Pembroke. Each diffusion tube is tested and replaced on a monthly basis, providing a continuous dataset on ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations to track progress and assess the effectiveness of implemented measures.

“Over several years, measured NO₂ levels have shown a consistent downward trend, reflecting the effectiveness of local emission reduction measures and broader improvements in vehicle technology and fleet composition.”

It says monitoring over the last three years has shown levels to be below national objective and precautionary threshold levels, adding: “On the basis of this sustained compliance and the clear evidence of air quality improvement, Pembrokeshire County Council proposes to revoke both the Haverfordwest and Pembroke AQMAs.”

It stressed: “Although the statutory Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) designations for Haverfordwest and Pembroke have been proposed for revocation; Pembrokeshire County Council will continue to undertake air quality monitoring to ensure that standards are consistently maintained and that public health remains protected.

“A revised monitoring network will be implemented, retaining a limited number of diffusion tubes strategically located at key points within both areas. These diffusion tubes will provide ongoing indicative data to confirm continued compliance with national air quality objectives and to help identify any emerging trends or localised increases in pollutant concentrations that may require further investigation or intervention.”

It says a reduction in the number of monitoring locations, from 48 to 10, is projected to generate an annual cost saving of approximately £1,900 in laboratory analysis fees, as well as freeing up officer capacity through decreased requirements for routine site visits, data processing, and statutory reporting.

Cabinet members are also asked to back that, following consideration of the consultation responses, the decision is delegated to the Head of Housing and Public Protection following discussion with the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services.

Health

Health board warns of severe pressure on A&E services at west Wales hospitals

Published

4 days ago

January 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WINTER demand leaves Glangwili and Withybush emergency departments particularly stretched

Hywel Dda University Health Board has warned that its Accident and Emergency departments are under significant pressure, with Glangwili and Withybush hospitals particularly affected as demand continues to rise across west Wales.

The warning was issued in a Facebook post on Sunday (January 4), in which the health board urged the public to help reduce pressure on emergency services by seeking the right care in the right place.

The board said Emergency Departments across all its hospital sites were experiencing high demand, adding that similar public warnings have been issued in recent days for both Glangwili and Withybush, suggesting sustained pressure rather than a short-term spike.

Members of the public who are unwell but unsure where to seek help were advised to contact NHS 111 Wales, which is staffed by trained healthcare professionals who can assess symptoms and direct patients to the most appropriate service. The health board reiterated that 999 should always be used in serious or life-threatening emergencies.

For urgent mental health support, people were advised to call NHS 111 and select option two, which provides 24-hour access to mental health services.

Patients with minor injuries or illnesses that require same-day treatment but are not life-threatening were encouraged to consider Minor Injury Units, while community pharmacies were highlighted as another alternative, with many offering walk-in advice and treatment for common conditions without an appointment.

The health board also appealed for families to support loved ones who are medically fit to leave hospital but are awaiting community care packages, saying that where relatives are able to help, this may speed up discharges and free up beds for patients requiring urgent treatment.

Why services are under pressure

Health leaders have previously warned that winter places intense strain on hospital services due to a combination of seasonal illnesses, including flu and respiratory infections, increased emergency attendances, staffing pressures, and delays in discharging patients because of shortages in community and social care provision.

Cold weather, reduced access to routine services at weekends, and limited hospital bed capacity continue to place additional pressure on emergency departments, particularly in rural health board areas such as Hywel Dda.

The health board has stressed that A&E services must be prioritised for those who need them most, and that using alternative services where appropriate helps protect patient safety and reduce waiting times.

Further updates are expected if pressures continue in the days ahead.

Education

Councillor’s call for EpiPens in Pembrokeshire schools

Published

6 days ago

January 2, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for potentially life-saving EpiPens to become a part of school equipment in Pembrokeshire will be considered by senior councillors in 2026.

In a notice of motion heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy asked the council adopt a policy for Epi-pens to become part of school first aid equipment.

Emergency adrenaline auto-injectors, commonly known as EpiPens, are commonly used in the emergency treatment of Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

Cllr Murphy, in his notice of motion, asked that “Pembrokeshire County Council work with all schools to develop a policy where all schools hold epi-pens as part of their first aid equipment”.

It added: “PCC can negotiate on behalf of our schools with the suppliers of such equipment to achieve best value through bulk purchasing. The immediate availability of epi-pens in an emergency involving a pupil on school premises has the potential reduce the risk of a tragic outcome.

“As some background in relation to this NoM is that the April 2025 meeting of the Schools O&S Committee debated the subject of epi-pens.

“The current policy from Welsh Government states that it’s a matter for individual School Governing bodies to decide whether to stock epi-pens for use in an emergency should a pupil suffer anaphylactic shock, and should they wish to purchase epi-pens then each school does this on an individual basis.

“The Schools O&S Committee in April 2025 resolved to write to Welsh Government (WG) to highlight the epi-pens issue, which the Chair of the Schools O&S did. Since April 2025 the Schools O&S Committee have received no update from WG and a period of nearly eight months has elapsed.

“The safety and well-being of pupils is a matter of priority and in view of the lack of response (I would argue lamentably so) from WG I feel PCC should proceed to develop our own policy to ensure that every LA school in Pembrokeshire hold epi-pens for use in an emergency, hence this NoM.”

Members agreed Cllr Murphy’s notice be sent to the council’s Cabinet, whose next meeting takes place in 2026, for further consideration.

Health

Changes to urgent care and walk-in services over Christmas in west Wales

Published

2 weeks ago

December 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are being advised to check opening hours carefully as changes come into force for urgent care and walk-in health services over the Christmas and New Year period.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has confirmed that the Same Day Urgent Care (SDUC) service at Cardigan Integrated Care Centre and the nurse-led walk-in service at Tenby Hospital will be closed on key bank holidays.

Cardigan urgent care changes
The SDUC service at Cardigan Integrated Care Centre will be closed on Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec 25), Boxing Day (Friday, Dec 26) and New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan 1).

To support patients during the festive period, the service will instead open on Saturday (Dec 27) and Sunday (Dec 28) from 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Outside of the holiday period, the SDUC service normally operates Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm.

Patients are reminded that they must phone ahead to speak to the SDUC triage nurse before attending by calling 01239 807019.

Tenby walk-in service closures
The nurse-led walk-in service at Tenby Hospital will also be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

The service usually operates Monday to Friday between 10.00am and 5.00pm.

Hospitals remain open
Health officials have confirmed that minor injury units at Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals will remain open every day throughout the festive period.

Patients are encouraged to check opening times and directions for their nearest unit via the Hywel Dda University Health Board website.

Advice for patients
Members of the public who need medical help and are unsure where to go are advised to visit 111.wales.nhs.uk or call NHS 111 for guidance.

The health board thanked residents for their understanding and wished everyone a safe and happy Christmas.