News
Ward 10 petition
LYN NEVILLE from Pembrokeshire Cancer Support writes: As the Charity Coordinator for Pembrokeshire Cancer Support, I am passionate about Cancer Services in Pembrokeshire and that people get the best available service. I have personal knowledge as I have had Cancer myself and spent many hours, days and weeks in the Chemotherapy Day Unit and on Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest.
I have seen first-hand the skill and dedication of the Doctors and Nursing staff on Ward 10 and the CDU. I owe my life, literally, to Dr Mike Bartlett and Sister Tracey Thomas after having a Respiratory Arrest following a reaction to a Cancer Drug. Their skill and expertise saved me.
Now Cancer Patients are expected to go to A&E and quite possibly sit for hours waiting to see someone. This is far from ideal for a Cancer patient who may have immune system issues, and could potentially make them worse.
We need this Ward 10 to be a Dedicated Cancer Ward and if the New Chief Executive, Steve Moore, and his Management Team have any Compassion and Care they will reinstate it and show the Pembrokeshire people that they are listening.
The petition reads: There is no full time Permanent Consultant, no Oncology Consultant and no inpatient Hospice beds. There is a P/T two day a week Palliative Care Consultant. No dedicated Haematology, Oncology or Palliative Care Beds. Withybush Hospital had an excellent model for Cancer Care but it did not fit in with the rest of Hywel Dda Health Board.
The Hywel Dda Health Board have no idea at all what a devastating and frightening effect the removal of Ward 10 as a dedicated Ward have had on Cancer Patients and Carers.
One comment on the petition: “It is an outrage that you should not maintain a dedicated cancer care ward manned by permanent cancer care consultants and staff at Withybush Hospital as it used to be.”
Another read: “The expertise, dedication and care of the staff on Ward 10 is absolutely immeasurable and should not be lightly dismissed and fragmented. Theirs is a specialist knowledge dealing with the care of cancer patients. Otherwise we are left with a situation in Withybush where nursing staff, in particular, are ‘jacks of all trades but masters of none. Our hospital is failing to meet our needs. We are out on a limb here in the West.We have raised so much money in the past to keep things going. The staff have been brilliant. Don’t we matter anymore.”
Responding to the latest cancer waiting time statistics for the whole of Wales, Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams, said: “Despite promises by the First Minister, the Welsh Government has not once met its urgent target and they have actually fallen even further behind in these latest statistics. The First Minister must step in and take action to ensure this situation is turned around as a matter of urgency.”
News
Teenage girl dies after medical emergency at Welsh rugby club
A TEENGAGE girl has tragically died following a medical emergency at Amman United Rugby Football Club in Ammanford on Friday evening (Nov 15).
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they were called to the scene, where the teenager became unwell. She was taken to hospital but, despite advanced medical efforts, passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time.” The death is currently being treated as unexplained, and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner.
The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed their attendance, stating that emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 9:55pm.
A spokesperson said: “We sent an emergency ambulance, supported by a Community First Responder and Cymru High Acuity Response Unit paramedics. Advanced critical care was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, with support from the Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopter.”
As a mark of respect, Amman United Rugby Football Club postponed all games over the weekend. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the club said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the club will be closed, and all games are postponed, out of respect.”
News
Inquest hears social media bullying was factor in teen’s tragic death
MEGAN EVANS, 14, was found dead at her Milford Haven home on February 7, 2017, after what her family described as relentless online bullying. The inquest, held today, heard how Megan had attended a school meeting about a trip to France earlier that evening and appeared in good spirits.
Later that night, her parents left for Cardiff with her four youngest siblings while the four older siblings stayed at home. At 9:59pm, Megan’s brother called their parents, unable to find her in the house. His father told him to continue searching, and Megan was discovered in a locked upstairs bathroom. Despite the efforts of her family, paramedics, and hospital staff, Megan could not be saved.
A statement from her family described Megan as an intelligent, kind, and vibrant teenager. “She had a big heart and would do anything to help anyone,” the statement read. “She bought love and laughter into our home and was always full of energy. Her friends adored her, and she always stood up for what she believed in.”
The inquest was told Megan was a talented artist and hockey player who had been looking forward to attending a Justin Bieber concert. She was deeply loved by her family, who said she “poured so much love into everything and everyone around her.”
Megan’s mother, Nicola Harteveld, has previously spoken openly about the struggles her daughter faced in silence.
Nicola admitted she hadn’t recognised the signs of Megan’s distress at the time, including disrupted sleep and a secretive attachment to her phone.
In the years following Megan’s death, Nicola has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of mental health and the dangers of social media bullying. She founded the Megan’s Starr Foundation, which provides free professional counseling and peer support to vulnerable young people in Pembrokeshire.
Nicola reflected: “I see things now that I didn’t understand back then. I thought mental health struggles were always visible, but I was wrong. Megan was the life and soul of the house, and I never imagined the pain she was in.”
Through campaigns like “Step into January,” Nicola has turned her grief into action, creating a legacy for Megan that focuses on kindness and support for others.
The inquest continues.
News
Teen’s tragic death linked to online bullying
MEGAN EVANS, 14, a talented and kind-hearted teenager from Milford Haven, was found dead at home on February 7, 2017, following what her family believes were bullying messages on social media, an inquest has heard.
Described as intelligent, capable, and full of energy, Megan was a passionate artist, county hockey player, and beloved by her six siblings and parents.
On the night of her death, she had been in good spirits after attending a school meeting about a trip to France.
Later, she was tragically discovered in a locked bathroom at home.
Her family remembered Megan as brave, thoughtful, and endlessly loving, someone who brought joy and positivity to everyone she met. They vowed to honor her memory by promoting kindness and love.
The inquest continues.
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