News
Withybush attracts new recruits
HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD has successfully recruited new nursing and medical staff at Withybush Hospital as part of its
recruitment drive and support for the Haverfordwest hospital.
A recent recruitment day resulted in the appointment of 22 nurses across the Hywel Dda area, with four at Withybush Hospital. In addition, the UHB is attracting more interest from doctors in England, with one successful appointment to a consultant anaesthetist post at Withybush Hospital, due to start at the end of April.
Chief Executive Steve Moore said: “I am really pleased that we have been able to make a number of appointments at Withybush Hospital and, along with our ongoing work to develop new and attractive service models, hope this demonstrates to the people of Pembrokeshire our very real commitment to the hospital. I would also like to acknowledge and thank frontline staff who have worked so hard during this extremely busy period.”
Across Wales, demand for hospital services has been at an all-time high and Withybush Hospital has faced significant pressure since the start of the year, particularly for emergency unscheduled care.
The University Health Board has established a dedicated Programme Board to support the hospital and ensure its commitment to providing emergency and urgent care at the hospital 24 hours a day is fulfilled. This involves detailed discussions and actions by a wide range of staff from senior clinical leads, doctors and other healthcare professionals, managers, GP representatives and other partners.
Significant effort has been channelled into improving recruitment and retention of staff. As well as the nursing and anaesthetist appointments, the University Health Board is exploring new service models aimed at attracting new staff and retaining existing staff.
Agreement has been reached on creating two additional physician posts at Withybush Hospital, which will improve rota cover and hopefully attract more applicants. It has also been agreed to establish a Consultant Ortho-Geriatrician, to provide specific care tailored for older orthopaedic patients. The Programme Board is also exploring new models of care for emergency and inpatient services. One of these is around frail, older patients, to reduce the incidence of them having to wait in the Emergency Department
In addition, career pages have been developed on a number of social media sites to highlight vacancies to a wider pool of talent. Corporate web pages have been revamped to highlight key links to travel, housing and schooling, aimed at making transition easier for re-locating candidates.
Current posts being advertised for Withybush Hospital, and which can be found on NHS Jobs (www.jobs.nhs. uk), include:
Trust CT medicine – an opportunity to gain experience in a modern busy general medicine unit in a rural setting with responsibility for patients on wards, clinical investigations, diagnosis and treatment of all patients admitted, including the maintaining of clinical notes and completion of discharge summaries
CT LAS emergency medicine – an opportunity for Junior Doctors wishing to gain experience in Emergency medicine or for those looking for a career in Emergency Medicine in a modern busy general medicine unit in a rural setting
Speciality Doctor General Medicine – we are looking for dynamic and motivated doctors to join our general medicine specialities including Care of the Elderly, Respiratory, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology Cardiology and Oncology
Trust CT General Surgery – an opportunity to gain experience in general surgery with responsibility for patients on wards, clinical investigations, diagnosis and treatment of all patients admitted, including the maintaining of clinical notes and completion of discharge summaries
Staff Nurse Gynaecology – we are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our gynaecology outpatient department team. The gynaecology department is a busy unit providing a wide range of clinics and procedures, diagnostic and therapeutic. The Department has a friendly supportive environment, which is strongly focused on teamwork and patient care
Consultant Ortho-Geriatrician – the existing Elderly Medicine team contribute to the acute medical on call as well as the rehabilitation and assessment of patients. The post holder will develop within the Orthopaedic Department an acute service for the management of Hip Fractures, and a comprehensive rehabilitation service for all orthopaedic patients within the department
Staff nurse Outpatients – we have a vacancy within our busy Outpatient Departments based at Withybush Hospital and covering outpatient areas at both Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospitals
Chair Bernardine Rees said: “Withybush Hospital remains open 24-hours a day. We want to continue to work with our staff, public and stakeholders because all of us have the same desire – to protect provision of excellent NHS services here in Pembrokeshire and the rest of Hywel Dda.”
Crime
Teenager accused of burglary and assault after Monkton incident
A TEENAGER has appeared in court accused of a burglary and assault following an incident in Monkton, Pembroke.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 1.
The defendant faces an allegation of burglary of a dwelling with attempted grievous bodily harm, contrary to the Theft Act 1968.
The charge states that on June 23, at Monkton, the defendant is alleged to have entered a dwelling as a trespasser and attempted to inflict grievous bodily harm on a person inside.
The teenager is also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, relating to the same date and area.
No pleas were recorded on the court list.
The case was adjourned to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for further case management on August 4. A trial has also been listed for August 10.
The defendant was remanded on conditional bail.
Bail conditions include a daily curfew between 8:00pm and 6:00am, a ban on entering specified areas of Monkton, and a condition not to contact two named people either directly or indirectly.
The youth must also comply with intensive supervision by the Youth Justice Team and attend at least two appointments a week as directed.
The defendant cannot be identified because Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 applies.
Community
Haverfordwest sailor leads crew on final Atlantic crossing of round-the-world yacht race
A PEMBROKESHIRE sailor is leading a team of non-professional crew members on the final ocean crossing of one of the world’s toughest yacht races.
Lou Boorman, from Haverfordwest, is skipper of Team Tongyeong in the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race.
Her team has now departed Washington, DC, and is heading across the North Atlantic to Oban in Scotland, marking the last major ocean crossing of the global race.
The Clipper Race is unusual because it takes people from all walks of life and trains them to become ocean racers. No previous sailing experience is required.

Each of the ten identical Clipper Race yachts is led by a professional skipper and first mate, with up to 22 non-professional crew members on board. The teams race around the clock for up to 30 days at a time, covering a global route of around 40,000 nautical miles.
Lou has been leading Team Tongyeong since the race began in Portsmouth last August. The team has been representing the South Korean city of Tongyeong throughout the competition.
Speaking ahead of the final Atlantic crossing, Lou said: “It doesn’t feel quite real that we’ve nearly sailed around the world and are one hop across the ocean to home waters!
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. A huge challenge. We’ve had three podiums so far and are hungry for more.”
At the time of the release, Team Tongyeong was leading the current stage of the race.
The route from Washington, DC, to Oban is just over 3,000 nautical miles and will see crews face changing weather systems, strong Atlantic currents and the unpredictable conditions that make ocean racing so demanding.

Lou said the challenge had not only been about sailing, but also about leadership.
She said: “In addition to the sailing and the conditions, the challenging part has been about people management and leadership. I’ve had to be a strong leader. That’s what my team expects and needs from me. So the development in this race is incredible.”
She added: “I think it’s going to leave a big hole in my life, leaving this team and leaving the boat. I’m going to have to fill that gap in my life fairly quickly. I’ll miss it too much!”
After ten months at sea, and with just over three weeks of racing remaining, the arrival in Oban will mark a major milestone as the fleet returns to UK waters.
Oban is due to welcome the Clipper Race fleet from Friday, July 10, with a programme of public events allowing visitors to see the yachts and meet the race crews and professional skippers.
From Oban, the teams will race for the final time in the 2025-26 edition, finishing in Portsmouth on Saturday, July 25, where the overall leaderboard positions will be confirmed.
Applications are already open for the 2027-28 edition of the race, which is due to begin next summer.
Charity
Milford Haven Round Table receives £6,000 boost for carnival and fireworks
Town council donation will support two of the town’s biggest community events, with further funding for Santa visit
MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has presented a £6,000 donation to Milford Haven Round Table to help support this year’s Milford Haven Carnival and Free Fireworks Extravaganza.
The cheque was presented by the Mayor of Milford Haven, Councillor Mark Woodward, at the Lord Nelson Hotel on Thursday, June 25.
The donation was agreed at a meeting of the full council on Monday, June 8, in recognition of the work carried out by Milford Haven Round Table in organising major community events for the town.
A further £500 will also be donated to the Round Table for its annual support with the Visit of Santa to Milford Haven.
Milford Haven Town Council said it was proud to support the Round Table and hoped the strong relationship between the two organisations would continue for many years to come.
The council added: “Thank you all so very much for giving up your time to put these fabulous events together for our beloved town.”
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