News

Health Board will be ‘open and transparent’

Published

10 years ago

January 29, 2015

SUE LEWIS, the County Director for the Local Health Board, told a meeting of the Community Health Council, held on January 8 at Milford Haven Town Hall: “What we don’t want to do is provide services that are not going to be sustainable, so services that move to the area will be services that are required.” Facing questions about Tenby Cottage Hospital, Ms Lewis said: “We have talked about opportunities to use the Tenby facility differently. We’ve looked at proposals and have come up with revised plans.

“We’re still considering whether Tenby will provide an Ophthalmology hub but at this moment in time that is not linked to the development of our Chemotherapy Day Unit. “In terms of the services currently provided at Tenby – there is a view that we are not providing an extensive range of services – but there are a number of clinics being provided there.

“It isn’t being under-utilised and there is sufficient evidence to suggest that we will continue to run services from there. “We will be using the space, it’s not that we’ve mothballed it and closed it all down”. Among the information given at the meeting was the disclosure that the state of the art Renal Unit finished at Withybush last year at an estimated cost of £7.5m is operating at a significant under-capacity.

Regarding the absence of patients from the Renal Unit, Ms Lewis disclosed: “There are actually only four patients who will transfer to the service from Carmarthenshire. Those four patients, for whatever reason, haven’t transferred yet but they will and part of that is down to the fact that those patients have developed a relationship with the services in Carmarthenshire and there may be some reluctance to want to transfer over.

I am reliably informed they will be transferred in the next couple of weeks. “The other units aren’t open because the patient numbers aren’t there. The availability is there.” While there was a shortage of registered nurses at Withybush equivalent to over 36 full-time posts, Ms Lewis stressed that the Board had tried to find appropriate staff.

She confirmed that candidates had been interviewed for posts, but been unsuccessful, and that the Board is considering a bigger recruitment drive. Asked by outgoing Health Council Chief Ashley Warlow whether there were specific challenges facing Pembrokeshire with regard to recruitment, Ms Lewis responded: “The difficulties within Withybush are particularly around where we are. Carmarthenshire can draw from Swansea, they can draw from Pembrokeshire.

“Pembrokeshire, geographically, is not that easy to commute to from either Swansea or Carmarthen.” She concluded by saying: “It’s not just nursing staff. We are working very hard to promote a positive image and we need to have people on board with us and to do that we need to be open and transparent about service changes.”

News

Police appeal after fatal collision on A48 near Cross Hands

Published

42 mins ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision on the A48 eastbound between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:05pm on Friday (Nov 15).

A grey Isuzu D-Max was involved in the crash, which tragically resulted in the death of a 55-year-old man at the scene. His family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.

Emergency services closed both the eastbound and westbound carriageways while attending the scene.

The westbound carriageway and one lane of the eastbound carriageway reopened at midnight, with the eastbound carriageway fully reopening at 12:30pm on Saturday (Nov 16).

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist their investigation to get in touch. You can contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the following:
🖥️ | Submit information online
📧 | Email: [email protected]
💬 | Direct message on social media
📞 | Call: 101

Please quote reference: 24*970191.

Education

Haverfordwest High VC School raise £12,775 for Children in Need

Published

58 mins ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THIS week students at Haverfordwest High VC School have raised a record breaking £12,775 for Children in Need. The week has been led by an incredible group of Senior Prefects and their Year 12 and 13 Children in Need Army. The Sixth Form events have consisted of:

150 students taking a Big Dip at Broadhaven Beach.
Bushtucker Trial – where students went up against HHVCS staff to eat some gruelly delights.
Buffee and Barnes’ Wednesday Night Takeaway – a quiz night held at Haverfordwest RFC.
A carwash – where staff, pupils and brave members of the public had their cars washed.
Our Head Boy Harry shaved and dyed his hair. Closely followed by Year 12 Oscar and Kayden shaving their heads in front of the entire Sixth Form Block
Senior Prefects Katie and Ffion conducted a half marathon around Haverfordwest and were joined by Head Boy Harry and Deputy Head Boy Finn.
Year 12 Libby and Year 13 Molly held a sponsored silence – it was a lovely day!
Netball and football matches
A bake sale
Sweet shop led by Year 12 Leah, Queenie and Chloe.
Cyclathon – where students cycled all day outside the Sixth Form Block on spin bikes.
Leg waxing – Brave Year 12 and 13 boys had their legs waxed in front of the whole school.
Fun Run – which involved pupils from across the whole school.
Teddy and Pudsey ears sale.
The younger year groups also played a huge part in the fundraising efforts with Achievement Leaders planning a range of events including:
Year 7 danceathon – where students danced all day to some disco classics. Led by Senior Prefect Lucy and her sidekicks Brianna and Carys.
Year 8 Awesome Auction – hosted by Year 8
Year 9 Quiz
Year 10 and 11 football and bingo

The week was topped off with a whole school fancy dress. We couldn’t be more proud of what our pupils and staff have achieved. This amount of money will make a huge difference to children in need.

News

Three men charged with cannabis production after major bust in Llandysul

Published

1 hour ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men have been charged with producing cannabis following a police raid on the former school on Heol Llyn y Fran, Llandysul, on Friday (Nov 15).

During the operation, officers uncovered a substantial cannabis grow consisting of 737 plants, which were seized as evidence.

Armeld Troski, 29, Njazi Gjana, 27, and Ervin Gjana, 24, have been charged with producing a controlled class B drug. All three have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court today (Nov 18).

Officers remain at the scene as they continue to remove items and conduct further enquiries. Local police have assured the public that they will maintain a presence in the area while the building is secured.

A spokesperson said: “We are committed to making our force area hostile to those who produce and deal drugs. The local community can help us by continuing to report any signs of criminal activity. Any bit of information, no matter how small it may seem, could make a big difference.”

Residents who are concerned about drug-related crime or suspect someone is being exploited are encouraged to report their concerns. Reports can be made online via the police website, by emailing, or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Local officers have thanked the community for their ongoing support and cooperation.

(Cover image: BBC)