News

Board asks charities to dig deeper

Published

10 years ago

March 17, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Handed a poisoned chalice? Steve Moore

CANCER charities and volunteers were left perplexed by the presentation of the Local Health Board’s plans for the future of cancer services in Pembrokeshire.

The meeting, held on Monday (Feb 23) morning at Withybush Hospital’s Postgraduate Centre, was intended by the Health Board to be a discussion of fundraising plans for the often-promised new Cancer Day Unit and new inpatient cancer unit. However, it developed into a thorough and critical examination of the board’s occasionally difficult relationship between charitable fundraisers and the board.

The sailing was not all through difficult waters. There was genuine and touching warmth between many of the people present directed towards those who had treated them.

The goodwill in the room extended to new Chief Executive, Steve Moore, whose efforts to meet with the public and listen to them had evidently been appreciated.

Sue Lewis, the County Director for the board, acknowledged past problems. With regard to the general medical admissions being made to Ward 10, she said that the pressures upon hospital beds over the winter months had meant that those admissions were unavoidable; however, she said that a new Ward 10 would definitely be a cancer ward. Sue Lewis was at pains to say that the discussions on Monday were for the provision of cancer services in Pembrokeshire only.

The good news given by the board was that enough money had been raised to build the new day unit in the location of the current Ward 10. Charities were told that the former Ward 14, as previously revealed by The Herald, would house paediatric care beds. However, the good news was tempered by the Health Board confirming that it had not secured any funding for the ‘new’ Ward 10 to be sited in the location of the present Ward 9.

Plans had been drawn for the new inpatient unit. But money to build it was there none.

And so the board asked the charities to help them.

The challenge put to the charities was stark. In terms, the board said: “You have raised so much money over the last eleven years. Please raise the same again, but in a very short period of time.”

Responding for Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, Chris Evans-Thomas told the meeting: “After all the fundraising charities have done, we need something tangible in return.” She sympathised with new Chief Executive Steve Moore, who had, she said been ‘handed a poisoned chalice’. Directing her fire at the Welsh Government in Cardiff Bay, she made it plain that she expected it to pay up.

Margaret Bond, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal, highlighted the reliance of the charities themselves on the goodwill of the public, while trying to turn pennies and pounds into the type of sums that can fund equipment purchases for patient care.

Sophie Thomas gave an overview of the work of The Paul Sartori Foundation in end of life care, while the representative of Shalom House Palliative Care Centre drew attention to the struggles faced by small charities in continuing to provide services complementary to those provided by the NHS.

Responding, Sue Lewis stated that while the board would look to the Welsh Government to pitch in, and ask for generous help from larger national charities, there would, nevertheless, be a significant demand upon the goodwill of local charities.

Paul Hawkins, the Operations Manager for the Board, was at pains to spell out that in order to begin work on phase two of the plans – reconstructing an inpatient unit to replace that removed – he would need ‘a clear sight’ that the £1m target for the new unit was on track.

Quite what that meant if the target was not in ‘clear sight’ after the completion of the Cancer Day Unit was not spelled out.

The issue of trust was raised by more than one representative of a charity. Mr Hawkins was told point blank that at least one of the charities represented did not trust the board to deliver. The Herald understands that, in light of the trust issues, charities are very likely to place significant strings on any other money they hand over to the board.

The charities also expressed grave concerns about the displacement of money from their central charitable activities towards the building of a new Ward 10. Sophie Thomas, from The Paul Sartori Foundation, expressed particular concerns about the finite amount of money available for charitable giving in Pembrokeshire and the way in which third party resources, on which patients depend, might be adversely affected.

Lyn Neville of Pembrokeshire Cancer Support was not at the meeting but he has repeatedly raised questions about where the extra money will come from. He told The Herald that he was worried about the path the board had taken: “The original plans were always to build the Day Unit last. I am very concerned that we might have a new Day Unit but no dedicated cancer ward. I am also concerned that – even if the money is found for a new ward – there will be difficulties in sustainably staffing it.”

One charity campaigner, who did not want to be identified, told us that they were concerned that the board turned to charities to raise money for this specific capital project but not others, saying: “Refurbishment should be part of a rolling programme for all areas of the hospital, paid for out of core funding.”

The Health Board was due to provide a press release following the meeting. At the time of going to press, the board has confirmed that a press release is now scheduled for next week.

News

Community projects celebrate their UK Government funding successes

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CELEBRATION event brought together 25 community projects that have benefited from more than £1.3million in UK Shared Prosperity Funding in Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire County Council facilitated the development programme for third sector organisations and social enterprises which covered three intervention areas across the County – capital projects, green infrastructure and social action.

The diverse range of projects including community facilities, youth projects, growing sites, environmental awareness action, pet therapy, museums and more.

Project leads came together at HaverHub, Haverfordwest on January 22^nd to celebrate and discuss the outcomes of their work, with the majority having exceeded targets with some breath-taking achievements highlighted.

Some key successes already evidenced include the improvement or creation of around 25,764m² of publicly accessible spaces, 934 community events or activities supported and 2228 volunteering opportunities created/ supported, with final reports still to be submitted.

SPF Communities Coordinator Heidi Holland said: “This network of organisations has strengthened and benefited from opportunities to come together, visit other projects, share good practice and willingness to develop collaborative approaches as a legacy moving forward to impact on future generations.”

Among those at the event were Cilrath Acre, Sandy Bear, Cleddau Project, Milford Haven Maritime and Heritage Museum, West Wales Rivers Trust, Point – Fishguard and Goodwick Youth Project and Menter Iaith Sir Benfro.

Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member (SPF Lead), said: “It was great to see such a wide range of projects, from right across Pembrokeshire, who have benefited from the SPF Communities Funding. SPF funding will re-launch in April 2025 and we look forward to being able to support more organisations across the county delivering meaningful improvements in their communities.”

News

Grandmother jailed for killing baby girl in Withybush Hospital crash

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A GRANDMOTHER has been sentenced to four years in prison for causing the death of eight-month-old Mabli Cariad Hall in a tragic crash outside Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest.

Bridget Carole Curtis, 71, of Begelly, appeared at Swansea Crown Court, where she admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. She was also banned from driving for eight years and must pass an extended test to regain her licence.

***Tragic: Baby Mabli Cariad Hall died in 2023 after being hit by a car driven by Bridget Curtis (Image: DPP/WNS)***

The devastating incident occurred on June 21, 2023, when Curtis’s white BMW struck Mabli’s pram at the hospital entrance. The baby, described as “bright” and “beautiful,” suffered severe traumatic brain injuries. Despite being airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and later transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Mabli passed away four days later, on June 25.

The court heard that Curtis had been searching for her handbag on the rear seat while the engine was running. Dash cam footage showed her car mounting a kerb and traveling 28 metres at a top speed of 29mph, hitting a tree after striking the pram. Data revealed the throttle was fully open for four-and-a-half seconds, with no brakes applied.

A family shattered

***Flowers at the scene of the accident (Image: BBC)***

Mabli’s father, Rob Hall, sustained injuries in the crash, which occurred as the family visited the hospital to say their goodbyes to Mr Hall’s mother, who was receiving palliative care. The court heard a heart-wrenching victim impact statement from Mabli’s mother, Gwen Hall, who said: “I don’t know who I am anymore… my heart breaks constantly.” She described watching helplessly as her baby died in her arms.

Mr Hall said Curtis’s actions had “ripped my baby out of my hands,” adding he has replayed the horrific moment “over and over again.”

‘Grossly reckless’ actions

***Swansea Crown court where the case was heard (Image: BBC)***

Judge Geraint Walters described Curtis’s driving as “grossly reckless,” emphasizing the devastating and irreversible consequences. “Mabli died senselessly and needlessly, and her death has changed lives forever,” he said.

Prosecutor Craig Jones told the court there was no evidence Curtis had suffered a medical episode, but rather what was described as a panic attack. The court heard she was previously of good character, with a clean driving record.

Curtis, who voluntarily surrendered her licence after the crash, expressed deep remorse in a letter read to the court. “I am so deeply sorry,” she wrote. “The sadness and grief will be with me ’til my dying day.”

Her defence barrister, John Dye, said Curtis now suffers from PTSD and depression, with frequent flashbacks of the incident.

In sentencing, Judge Walters acknowledged that Curtis had not intended harm but underscored the gravity of her actions. “You are responsible for the life-changing devastation,” he concluded.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.