News

Board asks charities to dig deeper

Published

9 years ago

March 17, 2015

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

Too many children in Wales living in poverty – Lib Dems want action

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THIS week in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats renewed their demands for the implementation of child poverty targets.

According to a report from the Bevan foundation, 29% of children living in Wales are currently experiencing poverty (an estimated 190,000 children).

The same report highlighted that the largest percentage of children living in poverty are from working households or in couple households.

The Welsh Lib Dems are now renewing calls for the Welsh Government to create a set of targets for reducing child poverty, which the party argues will allow for more accountability.

The party has previously called for the implementation of targets, citing recommendations from the Calling Time on Child Poverty Report published in November last year.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said: “The latest statistics on childhood poverty in Wales paints a very distressing image of families across the country struggling to make ends meet.

Over the course of the last six years, the proportion of children in poverty has skyrocketed. Fuelled by worsening economic conditions and a complete lack of action from both governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay.

We cannot act complacent about these figures nor accept the clear lack of progress in fighting child poverty, behind each statistic is a child that the state has failed.

It remains painfully clear that the Welsh Government is failing to make any meaningful progress in this fight, which is why they must follow through with the implementation of clear set targets that will allow for further accountability.

We as a party have continuously called for the creation of these targets and we will not be silenced. For the sake of future generations we urge the Welsh Government to listen.”

Crime

Welsh constabulary areas record another increase in shoplifting

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RETAIL trade union Usdaw is deeply concerned by today’s police recorded crime statistics showing that in 2023 there were significant increases in shoplifting across all constabulary areas in Wales. In the whole of England and Wales there has been a persistent upward trend since the pandemic, which continued with a 37% increase and has now risen to the highest level in 20 years.

The Office for National Statistics released figures showing a 39% increase in shoplifting incidents across Wales and by constabulary area as follows:

Dyfed-Powys +11%
Gwent +47%
North Wales +23%
South Wales +51%

Usdaw’s 2023 annual survey of over 5,500 shopworkers found that 60% had suffered incidents of violence, threats and abuse that were triggered by shoplifting and armed robbery.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary says: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers. Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers. This 39% increase in shoplifting across Wales is further evidence that we are facing an epidemic of retail crime, which is hugely concerning.

“Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in the stores and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on. Our latest survey results show that 7 in 10 retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. 60% of respondents said theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for these incidents.

“The scale of assaults, abuse and threats towards shopworkers and extent of the retail crime epidemic has been a disgrace for many years. This has been made worse by police cuts and a failure to legislate to protect retail staff. Usdaw has long called for action that includes a standalone offence for assaulting a shopworker and that has been vehemently opposed by this Government and their Conservative MPs on many occasions.

“Recently the Government performed a long overdue U-turn after many years of sustained campaigning by Usdaw and others. Our members have had to wait too long for their voices to be heard and common sense to prevail. We will have to see the detail of what Ministers are proposing and we are clear that it must be at least what we won in Scotland three years ago. It also cannot fall short of Labour’s commitments to 13,000 more uniformed officers, patrols on high streets, banning repeat offenders and ending the perverse £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters.

“The dither and delay by this Government on this issue over many years, has led to thousands of shopworkers needlessly suffering physical and mental injury. Today’s stats should ensure that their promise to legislate is done speedily. We hope that whatever the Government is proposing will be substantial and effective in giving shopworkers, key workers in every community, the respect that they have long deserved and regrettably too often do not receive.”

Business

Paramount’s key role in transformation of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FAST-growing Welsh company Paramount is relishing the challenge of creating an “irresistible dining destination” after winning the contract to play a key role in the multi-million transformation of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend.

The Cardiff-based design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist will spearhead the re-development project of the shopping centre after being handed responsibility for revamping its popular food court over the summer.

In the coming months, the development will see the Food Court transformed into three modern, and bright restaurants, welcoming new food and beverage brands to the centre and creating more than 100 new job opportunities for the local community.

Paramount’s Construction Director, Paul Thomas, said: “The team behind the scenes at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend have fantastic plans for the future and we’re delighted to have been entrusted with the mission to help turn their exciting vision into a reality.

“Paramount prides itself on creating places where people want to be, and my team are relishing the opportunity to help create what will be an irresistible dining destination. It’s certain to be a complex project, but we have the expertise and local knowledge to deliver outstanding results in close collaboration with our project partners.”

The owners of the shopping centre, which has been attracting local people and visitors for more than 25 years, have promised a “substantial investment to redevelop the Food Court area and replace it with new and exciting restaurants”.

Now the Paramount team is ready to lay the groundwork by removing some existing structures around the Food Court and will then introduce a series of new features as part of the overall facelift. These include new glazed entrance doors within glazed curtain walling shopfront, render and a new entrance lobby with new stairs and lifts.

The work to completely develop the Food Court in the shopping centre starts this week, and is expected to be completed in late autumn. As a result, customer favourites including Nando’s, McDonald’s and Chopsticks will be closed while work is under way.

Patrick Finney, Head of European Construction, McArthurGlen Group, said: “After celebrating our 25th anniversary last year, we’re extremely pleased to welcome Paramount on board in this important step of revitalising the Food Court area.

“These are exciting times for everyone at one of South Wales’ best-loved retail complexes and we know Paramount will work closely with us to create a truly special place for diners and shoppers of all ages.”

Paramount, whose turnover reached £45 million in 2023, employs 60 people who own a majority shareholding of the business – 51 per cent – following completion of an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) scheme in 2021, a deal which marked a major milestone for Paramount after a period of sustained growth.

The company is well known across Wales and England where it has created high-quality inspirational space for a number of leading companies. These include the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Hodge House and Fusion Point One in central Cardiff, and the fit out of Par 59 bars in South Wales and South West.

Over the next few months, Paramount’s construction team will also be completing on a multi-million-pound social housing development in Porthcawl, Mid-Glamorgan with Valleys to Coast.