News
Kelly Thomas will finally get operation after 17 month wait – but not in Wales
A TENBY mum has finally been referred to England for a bowel operation after being trapped in the Welsh NHS for 17 months.
Kelly Thomas from St Florence urgently needs the operation but local hospitals said they couldn’t perform it.
Swansea’s health board could provide the care, but their waiting list was too long and could not give her a date for the operation. But the Welsh NHS refused to refer her for treatment in England – where there is just a nine week wait – because the operation was technically “available” in Wales.
Her predicament was raised by her then MP Simon Hart in Prime Minister’s Questions and the Health Minister Jeremy Hunt wrote to his Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford urging him to intervene.
Now Kelly has finally been referred by the Welsh NHS to St Mark’s Hospital in Middlesex for the operation.
“It’s been a 17-month battle with the Welsh NHS to get Kelly this referral,” said Conservative candidate Simon Hart.
“She has spent every day in pain and unable to work, stuck in limbo thanks to the Welsh NHS. I am so relieved that she is a step closer to getting this much-needed operation but I am angry that it has taken a year and a half of shouting, campaigning and negotiating to get this far. She has been badly let down by the Labour-led Welsh Government and the way they run the Welsh NHS”
Charity
Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities
ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.
The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.
This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.
For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.
Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.
Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.
Charity
£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital
THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.
Their 37th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.
They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.
The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.
Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.
“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.
Community
Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success
NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.
Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.
The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.
The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.
A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.
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Bernard Thomas
April 26, 2015 at 5:43 pm
I would like to know what exactly Mr Hart has done? Good photo opportunity…always in the paper …election coming.
tomos
April 26, 2015 at 7:05 pm
Mr Hart has done his best, the truth is the Torys cut the total budget to Wales, then Carwyn cuts the budget to the NHS as there’s much more important stuff than keeping ppl alive in Senedd world so we can blame the tories even more 🙁
Paris
April 27, 2015 at 5:26 pm
I would also like to know that Bernard?
Paris
April 27, 2015 at 5:35 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30881327
Some people are happy.