News
Former Hywel Dda boss Trevor Purt suspended
THE HERALD can reveal that the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has suspended former Hywel Dda Chief Executive Trevor Purt.
Mr Purt, who left Hywel Dda’s employment in 2014, is the first major casualty of the growing scandal about the treatment patients at Glan Clwyd Hospital’s Tawel Fan Unit. A report found evidence of institutional abuse at the ward.
Having slashed services at Withybush Hospital, Trevor Purt jumped ship to Betsi Cadwaladr before the effects of the cuts he forced through in Pembrokeshire could be assessed.
On Monday (June 8), following concerns about the leadership, governance and progress in the Health Board, the Welsh Government’s Minister of Health met with representatives of the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales to review and consider the health board’s current status. As a result Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board was immediately placed into special measures.
While Betsi Cadwaladr Chair Peter Higson has described Trevor Purt’s suspension as ‘a neutral act’. The head of the Community Health Council, Geoff Ryall-Harvey said: “He was brought in to resolve problems. He hasn’t made the progress that he was employed to make.”
Mr Purt’s tenure at Betsi Cadwaladr has been dogged by controversy. Plans to shut down a maternity unit were met with massive demonstrations, the Board has been dogged by purported recruitment problems and issues persist with providing the GP out-of-hours service.
Those issues will be familiar to experienced Purt-watchers in the Hywel Dda Health Board area and even more familiar to those who recall his term as a health executive in the North West England. It is almost as though, wherever Trevor Purt goes, recruitment problems, protests, closures, and controversy are not far behind.
Labour’s poor election results in Wales have been blamed on the continuing inability of the Welsh Government to get to grips with Wales’ NHS infrastructure. With National Assembly elections under twelve months away, Welsh Labour must be concerned that the running sore of grievances about its reorganisation of the NHS. To that extent, the intervention in Betsi Cadwaladr Heath Board and subsequent suspension of its controversial Chief Executive may be seen as a belated effort to draw the issue’s sting.
Crime
North Court drug dealer who offered NHS and OAP discounts jailed
A DRUG dealer who styled himself as a “professional businessman” and offered so-called discounts to NHS workers and the elderly has been sentenced to a total of three years and four months in prison.
Nathan Murdoch, previously of North Court, Haverfordwest was given his custodial sentence at Swansea Crown Court after police dismantled his drug distribution network, which involved cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA.
Police uncover drugs and cash in raid
On June 16 last year, officers visited Murdoch’s property, where he initially admitted to possessing “a small amount” of cannabis. However, a detailed search revealed over £3,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine, £2,800 in cash, and digital weighing scales, according to prosecutor Sian Cutter.
Analysis of Murdoch’s mobile phone exposed text messages detailing his drug dealing, which had been ongoing since at least October 2021. The messages suggested he had also enlisted someone else to distribute drugs, with records of threats and demands for payment.
Targeting NHS workers with deals
The court heard that 35-year-old Murdoch referred to himself as a “businessman” and ran his operation with a veneer of professionalism. He promoted discounts for NHS workers, pensioners, and individuals facing financial hardship.
Defence barrister Dan Griffiths argued that Murdoch had turned to drug dealing after experiencing personal difficulties, describing the venture as “financially motivated.” Griffiths added: “He acknowledges the seriousness of his actions and views his arrest as a turning point.”
Judge: ‘Your choices have consequences’
Judge Paul Thomas KC told Murdoch: “You made a calculated decision to profit from illegal drug sales. You saw it as easy money, but the reality is clear: you gambled, and you lost. Now, you must face the consequences.”
Murdoch, now residing in Swansea, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, as well as being involved in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. The court heard he had five prior convictions for six offences.
Community
Thousands still without power as storm recovery continues
THOUSANDS of homes across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire remain without power as recovery efforts following Storm Darragh face significant challenges. Tree-cutting specialists are working around the clock in some of the toughest conditions seen in decades to clear fallen trees from power lines.
Speaking exclusively to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Jeff Birch, director of Birch Utility Services, detailed the scale of the task his team faces.
“This is one of the most challenging periods we’ve seen in years,” he said. “I can understand people’s frustration as we rely so heavily on electricity, but the devastation is immense. I’ve been in this job for 40 years, and the last time I experienced anything like this was during the hurricane of October 1987.”
Birch Utility Services, established 16 years ago in Pembrokeshire, has grown to become the UK’s largest utilitarian tree-cutting company, with over 300 employees. Their work supports National Grid by clearing trees from power lines, a task made harder by widespread road blockages.
“A lot of the equipment is on the ground, and many power lines are at the end of long private lanes,” explained Birch. “In some cases, we spend an entire day clearing debris before we can even start on the trees. It’s not just about reconnecting wires — the work requires isolation, shutting off power, earthing, and permits. This all takes time, and we’re dealing with thousands of incidents across a vast area.”
Non-stop recovery efforts
Birch’s team has been working 24/7 since the storm hit on Friday night, bringing in additional teams from the Midlands to assist.
“Our staff are rotating shifts to maintain round-the-clock operations,” Birch added. “Their dedication is remarkable. They’re motivated by the knowledge that people out there have no power, no heating, and may be feeling scared. We’re doing everything we can to restore power as quickly as possible.”
National Grid response
National Grid confirmed that 26,959 customers across South Wales are still without power, with teams working tirelessly to restore supplies.
“Our engineers, control rooms, contact centre, and support teams have been working around the clock to maintain power,” said Emma Philpin, National Grid’s director of Customer Excellence.
“We’ve seen extremely high call volumes, and it’s taking longer for customers to get through. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Rest assured, we are doing everything possible to restore power across the region as quickly as we can.”
Storm Darragh’s aftermath has left communities grappling with widespread disruption, but recovery teams remain committed to restoring essential services under challenging circumstances.
News
Carmarthenshire issues Storm Darragh update
THE AFTERMATH of Storm Darragh continues to disrupt life across Carmarthenshire, with many residents still without power and essential services despite the storm having passed.
Since Friday evening, Carmarthenshire County Council staff, alongside local communities, have been working tirelessly to address the extensive damage caused. Efforts to clear approximately 300 fallen trees have seen significant progress, with most A and B roads now reopened. However, work on minor and unclassified roads is expected to take several more days.
Support centres open late
To assist those affected, Carmarthenshire’s leisure centres in Amman Valley, Carmarthen, Llandovery, Llanelli, Newcastle Emlyn, and St Clears are open as drop-in centres until 10:30pm tonight.
Services available include:
- Warm spaces and hot drinks
- Charging points for electronic devices
- Hot water for filling flasks
- Shower facilities
Community effort praised
Council home care staff have been commended for going beyond their usual duties to support vulnerable residents. However, the Council has reported an unprecedented number of property-related issues following the storm. Residents are encouraged to report non-urgent repairs online and to contact the emergency line at 01267 234567 for urgent concerns.
Cllr Darren Price, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, praised the dedication of staff and residents:
“I am humbled by the efforts of our staff who have gone above and beyond to deliver essential services during this challenging weekend of Red, Amber, and Yellow Weather Warnings. On behalf of the County Council, I want to thank them for their incredible work. You are a credit to Carmarthenshire, and we are deeply proud and grateful. Diolch o waelod calon.”
Stay updated
Residents are urged to follow the Council’s website and social media channels for the latest updates on recovery efforts and available support.
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tomos
June 10, 2015 at 3:24 pm
what’s the worst thing that’ll happen? loads of money and a big pension to go quietly? 🙁
Flashbang
June 11, 2015 at 5:20 am
My guess is he was brought in to smash the system to pieces so the private sector can walk in and pick up big money for providing even worse services. Never mind about the trail of dead bodies of people affected by his decisions. Money is the bottom line.