News
Health Board will be ‘open and transparent’
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.”
Entertainment
Foreigner in My Body – Workshop and show

HOW we see ourselves isn’t always how others see us. Join movement artist Sara Hartel in a workshop that explores the tension between identity and perception here at the Torch Theatre this Wednesday followed by a work in progress show on Thursday with Foreigner in My Body.
The evening workshop will give you an opportunity to learn how to creatively use audio description in a safe, nurturing environment which gives you space to explore the role gender plays in how we move, and how others see the way we move, through the creation of a piece of movement.
The show itself, Foreigner in My Body, is a work in progress show exploring the transgender journey through the lens of crossing borders. It blends circus, physical theatre and storytelling with malicious audio description. A story of rebellion and trans joy. Think of the burlesque of airport security, the luggage carousel of emotional baggage and a plane crash on aerial silks.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday 12 February at 7pm and the show on Thursday 13 February at 7pm. Both the workshop and show are suitable for those 14+. Anyone who attends the workshop can go the performance for FREE too!
Tickets for Foreigner in My Body are priced at £5.00. Visit the website for further details on www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.
Crime
Woman ‘high on drugs’ crashes into parked cars in Milford Haven

DYFED-POWYS Police were called to Priory Road, Milford Haven, at around 10:15am on Friday (Feb 14) following reports of a collision involving three vehicles.
A 43-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
She has been bailed pending further inquiries.
Two vehicles parked on the side of the road, both belonging to nearby residents, were damaged in the crash.
A witness at the scene said: “I saw the woman. She was absolutely off her face, and lost control of her car. Its really lucky that no one was hurt.”
Community
Feed the Community Event Attended by Local MS

SENEDD Member Paul Davies has recently visited the Feed the Community initiative at the Haverhub in Haverfordwest. Feed the Community is supported by Haverfordwest Town Council and organised by Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner and Councillor Dani Thomas-Turner. The project, which supported by several local organisations, invites residents to the Hub where free hot meals are provided and there are free activities to get involved in.
Mr Davies said, “Feed the Community is a fantastic initiative and it’s great to see the local community working together to create these inclusive and welcoming events.”
He added, “It’s a great way for local businesses and charities to engage with residents and build bridges in the community. The event was so well attended, and I was delighted to talk to residents, business representatives and volunteers. The atmosphere at the Hub was very positive and I was delighted to see it all for myself.”

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