DECISIONS on the future of nine frontline hospital services across west Wales will be made later this month when Hywel Dda University Health Board holds a special two-day Board meeting.

The Extraordinary Board will meet on Wednesday (Feb 18) and Thursday (Feb 19) to determine the next steps for critical care, dermatology, emergency general surgery, endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, stroke, radiology and urology services.

Health chiefs say the proposed changes are aimed at tackling staffing shortages, improving clinical standards and cutting waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.

More than 4,000 people responded to a public consultation on the plans. Feedback was gathered through questionnaires, public meetings, staff sessions and discussions with stakeholder groups.

An independent consultation report compiled by Opinion Research Services will form part of the evidence considered by Board members. It will sit alongside updated data on workforce pressures, estate condition, clinical standards and how services link together across hospitals.

All documents to be considered by the Board have now been published online ahead of the meeting.

Alternative ideas assessed

During the consultation, communities also submitted 190 alternative proposals.

Each idea was tested against “hurdle criteria” to check whether it was safe, practical and capable of delivery before being taken forward.

Of those, 22 met the criteria and have been developed into full options. These will be considered alongside the Health Board’s original proposals.

Board members will assess whether each option is clinically sustainable, deliverable, accessible to patients, aligned with the Health Board’s long-term strategy and financially viable. They will also decide whether further engagement or evidence is needed before any final changes are introduced.

Some changes, if approved, could be phased in over time.

Dr Neil Wooding, Chair of the Health Board, said: “At our meeting next week, the Board will carefully consider the consultation feedback alongside the latest clinical evidence, workforce insights, updated impact assessments and the alternative options that were put forward during the consultation.

“Our responsibility is to consider the full range of evidence and ensure we make decisions that ensure that our services are sustainable for the future. No decisions have been made ahead of the Board. We are committed to a thorough and transparent process, ensuring each option and alternative options are considered in the round, and focused on improving services for the people who rely on them.”

FAMILIES across Pembrokeshire are being invited to enjoy an afternoon of music, stories and traditional festivities when a colourful half-term celebration of Welsh culture comes to Narberth next week.

The community-focused event, taking place on Wednesday (Feb 18), promises a relaxed and welcoming day out, with hands-on workshops, live entertainment and plenty of opportunities for people to drop in and take part at their own pace.

Organisers say the aim is to create a warm, inclusive atmosphere where all ages can explore Welsh heritage through creativity, craft and food.

At the heart of the programme is the Dewi Sant Promenade Parade, a lively procession through the town featuring traditional music and some of Wales’ best-loved folklore characters, including a dragon and the Mari Lwyd. The parade will be accompanied by music from Reel Rebels, encouraging families to join the celebration as it winds through the streets.

Elsewhere, adults can try their hand at a calming weaving workshop with artist Daisy Buckle at SPAN Arts, while younger visitors can enjoy storytelling and craft activities led by Hedydd Hughes and Luci Saunders at the Narberth Scout Hut.

The day will finish with a traditional family Twmpath, complete with live music, dancing, cawl and Welsh cakes, offering a sociable close to the festivities and a taste of classic Welsh hospitality.

Organisers say the event has been designed to be accessible and affordable, welcoming both local residents and visitors looking for a low-cost half-term activity.

Event highlights include:

• Adults’ weaving workshop with Daisy Buckle at SPAN Arts
• Children’s storytelling and craft session at Narberth Scout Hut
• Dewi Sant promenade parade with music, dragon and Mari Lwyd
• Family Twmpath with cawl and Welsh cakes

Event details:

Date: Wednesday (Feb 18)
Locations: Narberth Scout Hut and SPAN Arts, Narberth
Time: 1:30pm to 5:00pm
Pricing: Pay what you can, from £3
Booking: span-arts.org.uk
Accessibility enquiries: [email protected]

Unanimous jury hears harrowing medical evidence during trial at Swansea Crown Court

A WEST WALES man has been found guilty of killing his five-month-old son after subjecting him to what medical experts described as violent shaking that caused catastrophic brain and eye injuries.

Thomas Morgan was convicted unanimously by a jury following a trial into the death of baby Jensen-Lee, who suffered fatal injuries at the family home on Saturday (Mar 30, 2024).

The court heard that after the injuries were inflicted, Morgan did not immediately call emergency services. Instead, he contacted his partner, despite later telling the court that his phone was not working properly.

Jurors were told this delay was significant when considering his actions in the crucial minutes after the baby became unresponsive.

Giving evidence on Thursday (Feb 6), Morgan told the court: “He was limp, I thought it was normal.”

Describing the moments after picking up his son, he said: “I scooped sick out of his mouth. I remember graphic bits, the same way I have nightmares, but I don’t remember what I did.”

Asked directly how hard he had shaken the child, Morgan replied: “I can’t remember how much force I used. I was in a total state of panic. I couldn’t describe it. I never intended to harm him.”

Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC challenged his account, suggesting the force used must have been extreme given the scale of the injuries later uncovered.

Medical specialists gave evidence that the baby’s injuries could not have been caused accidentally or by normal handling.

Dr Stavros, Head of Paediatric Neurology, told the jury there was no sign of an impact injury to the head but confirmed extensive internal damage consistent with violent shaking.

He said Jensen-Lee had acute subdural haemorrhages across multiple areas of the brain as well as bleeding along the spine.

The consultant described the findings as highly abnormal and severe.

In one stark moment, he told jurors that if someone were seen shaking a child with that level of force in public, “we would run over to stop it.”

A children’s eye specialist, Mr Abduls from a Birmingham teaching hospital, described what he called catastrophic eye trauma.

The retinal bleeding and tearing was so extensive that he said he could not tell which images belonged to the left or right eye, with photographs labelled simply “Eye A” and “Eye B”.

Jurors heard that such injuries are strongly associated with violent acceleration and deceleration forces.

Morgan was arrested ten days after the incident. When detained, he told officers: “I don’t know what injuries — he was my boy, I tried to help him.”

During closing speeches, the defence urged jurors to remain objective.

Counsel said: “We all have Jensen-Lee at the forefront of our minds. It’s difficult to think of a more emotive case than this. Consider this case with your heads, not your hearts.”

After deliberating, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

There were audible cries from the public gallery as the decision was delivered, where members of Jensen-Lee’s family had attended throughout the trial.

Morgan is due to be sentenced on Wednesday (Feb 25).