News

Shortage of GPs set to get worse

Published

10 years ago

March 17, 2015

THE NUMBER of GP vacancies in Pembrokeshire is a genuine threat to frontline services, the Pembrokeshire Herald has been told.

This newspaper recently reported that Dr Chris Van Kempen of the Goodwick practice was to retire this year and that the practice would subsequently be run as a managed practice by the Local Health Board.

Since that report, The Herald has learned that Dr Kevin Hill of the Barlow House practice in Milford Haven is to leave, while the situation at Tenby GP practice continues to cause grave concern, as a staff member is currently on sick leave.

In a statement dated February 16, Dr Phil Kloer, Executive Director of Primary, Community and Mental Health Services for Hywel Dda UHB, said: “Tenby GP Surgery is currently experiencing high levels of staff sickness. On behalf of the practice I’d like to reassure patients that the surgery is open and patients with appointments for week beginning Monday 16 February will still be seen as planned. Out of hours services are also unaffected.

“We recognise the importance of being able to access local general medical care and we are working closely with the practice at this time to minimise the impact on patient care. We will keep patients informed and provide an update at the earliest opportunity.”

In 2011’s consultation on the future of health services in Pembrokeshire, the Board justified the closure of Minor Injury Units at Tenby Cottage Hospital and South Pembs by claiming GP practices would fulfil those units’ roles. Not only has that has not happened, but the announcement was made without consulting with any of the GP practices in the areas affected by the units’ closure. The Herald understands that Pembrokeshire is chronically short of GP’s and that there are as many as ten unfilled vacancies for GP’s within Pembrokeshire.

The migration of services from Haverfordwest to Glangwili has placed significant extra strain on the out of hours GP service, with the service no longer offered at South Pembs Hospital at the weekends. The current Out of Hours service was revealed to be in difficulty in a document prepared by Withybush Hospital Director of Clinical Care Dr Iain Robertson-Steel and leaked to the media. Notwithstanding those difficulties, the Board claimed that GP’s were able to fill in the gaps at Withybush A&E under what was described at the time as ‘a new way of working’.

The Herald understands that there has been no substantial progress in discussions between the Board and GP’s.

One GP told our reporter that not only were the claims made by the Board “undeliverable” but that the Board should have concentrated on shoring up the creaking Out of Hours service and resolving GP recruitment issues before making such an announcement in the first place.

The situation in Pembrokeshire is not unique. The take up of GP training places has fallen to 62% in parts of England. A coalition pledge to train and extra 3,250 GP’s by this year has already been shunted back to 2016 and there is little sign of even that rigged target being hit.

Director of Primary Care, Community and Mental Health Dr Philip Kloer told The Herald: “The University Health Board is working extremely hard with a number of surgeries in Pembrokeshire to address what are UK-wide challenges in GP recruitment. At present, we are actively recruiting for a salaried GP to support Goodwick Practice and a GP for the out-of-hours service at Withybush Hospital. This is part of a significant Health Board-wide recruitment drive, which is having some success in attracting applicants to our organisation. We are also working closely with Tenby Surgery to support them in finding some locum GP cover, whilst they are experiencing some staff shortages. In addition, we are working with partners, such as the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, to provide other skilled healthcare professional posts for unscheduled (unplanned) care at Tenby Surgery. Our longer term plans include working with primary care GPs and emergency departments to develop new integrated models of care, and potentially introducing more care through salaried GPs and advanced practitioners (i.e. employed directly by the University Health Board) to sustain services and provide opportunities to network and target support where it is needed most.”

News

Pembrokeshire County Councillor Andrew Edwards resigns suddenly

Published

46 mins ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of PembroTHE CHIEF executive of Pembrokeshire County Council, Will Bramble, has released a statement announcing that Cllr Andrew Edwards has resigned for personal reasons. A notice of a casual vacancy will be published today (Dec 30).

The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted Cllr Edwards, who issued the following statement:

“Family matters have made my position as a county councillor untenable.

“I have therefore decided to resign from the council, as I feel unable to carry out my duties to the standard I would wish at this time.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the staff and fellow councillors who have supported me during my tenure.

“I wish the very best to my successor, who I am confident will serve the community with dedication.

“This has not been an easy decision, but I believe it is in the best interests of those I represent.”

Edwards, a barber, has served on the council since May 2022.

In April 2023, the Conservative councillor referred himself to the Public Services Ombudsman following the emergence of a recording in which he appeared to make offensive remarks suggesting all white men should have a black slave. However, it was later suggested that the recording may have been artificially generated using AI to discredit him.

Health

Hospital visiting precautions in place ‘to protect patients’

Published

54 mins ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to hospitals across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire are being asked to only attend if they are free of any potential flu-like symptoms, or any sickness or diarrhoea. Additionally, they may be requested to wear face masks before entry to certain wards or departments.

Seasonal flu and winter vomiting viruses are affecting patients on several wards with infection prevention and control actions being taken, as necessary.

Visitors are asked to only come to see their loved ones if they are free of any infections, to wash hands before leaving home and clean hands on arrival at the hospital/ward using the hand sanitiser. Visitors may also be asked to wear face masks/coverings on the ward/department they are visiting. Masks will be available at the hospital entrance or can be provided on affected wards.

There are additional restrictions in place that limit visitors to:

Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli. Please discuss individual patient visiting arrangements at AMAU with the nurse in charge.
This arrangement will be reviewed daily, and restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible. The health board’s website will be updated daily with details of wards with enhanced restrictions on visiting.

Janice Cole Williams, Assistant Director of Nursing at Hywel Dda University Health Board
said: “Within affected wards, all staff are wearing masks and visiting is limited at Prince Philip Hospital’s AMAU to help stop spread of infection.

“Our local community can help us avoid outbreaks of infection by not visiting family and friends in hospital if they are feeling unwell themselves.

“Annual flu vaccination is also undoubtedly the best way to protect against catching or spreading flu. Not only can it prevent you from becoming very unwell, it can also help reduce your risk of secondary infections such as pneumonia, which can be dangerous if you are clinically vulnerable.”

Vaccination centres are open, with no appointment needed today (Monday), until 5.30pm and tomorrow, Tuesday, December 31 for all people eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. This includes children aged two years (on 31 August 2024) to those in year 11 who can access the nasal flu vaccine at the centres.

Drop in any time between 9.15am and 5.30pm to your nearest vaccination centre:

Aberaeron (Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre, Vicarage Hill, Aberaeron, SA46 0DY)
Llanelli (Unit 2a, Dafen Industrial Estate, Heol Cropin, SA14 8QW)
Neyland (Unit 1 Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE)
The following groups are eligible for vaccination:

Flu vaccination

Children aged two and three years on 31 August 2024 
Children in primary school from reception class to year 6 (inclusive)  
Children in secondary school from year 7 to year 11 (inclusive)   
People aged six months to 64 years in clinical risk groups   
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2024)   
Pregnant women  
Carers aged 16 and over 
People aged six months to 65 years who live with someone who has a weakened immune system   
People with a learning disability  
Frontline health and social care workers  
All staff working in care homes with regular client contact
Poultry workers at high risk
COVID-19 vaccination

People aged six months to 64 years with a long-term health condition (which includes pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system)
Residents in a care home for older adults
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2025)
Unpaid carers
Frontline health and social care workers
Staff working in care homes for older adults
If you have any questions about accessing the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, please phone the health board on 0300 303 8322 option 1 or email: [email protected]

Business

Welsh firms expect brighter profits in 2025

Published

12 hours ago

December 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MORE than three-quarters (79%) of Welsh businesses expect greater profitability in 2025, a significant increase from 69% recorded in December 2023, according to Lloyds’ Business Barometer.

The survey also revealed that 73% of firms anticipate a rise in turnover next year. Of those, nearly a third (32%) predict revenue growth of between six and 10%, while over a quarter (26%) expect even higher gains.

Profitability remains the top priority for 55% of businesses, followed closely by staff upskilling (43%) and productivity improvements (33%). Additionally, 17% of firms aim to enhance their technology, including automation and AI, while 18% are focused on improving environmental sustainability.

To achieve these goals, more than a third (35%) of Welsh businesses plan to invest in staff training, with 29% allocating resources towards research and development (R&D) of new products or services.

The Lloyds Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and has been running since 2002, provides valuable insights into regional and national economic trends.

Sam Noble, Regional Director for Wales at Lloyds, said: “Welsh businesses are looking ahead to the new year with ambitious plans. While uncertainties remain, these strategies will help them achieve growth and strengthen their resilience against potential challenges. As they move forward, we’ll continue to stand by them with our support.”