News

Withybush: Overseas doctors say they have received ‘a wonderful welcome’

Published

11 years ago

December 6, 2015

DOCTORS from overseas who are helping to maintain medical services at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, say they have received ‘a wonderful welcome’ from the NHS and patients alike.

Eight international doctors have now been employed directly by Hywel Dda University Health Board as clinical fellows to support the junior doctor rota and maintain emergency and medical services at the hospital for the Pembrokeshire population.

They have been provided with a two-year training scheme which mirrors many elements of the traditional core medical training (CMT) scheme for junior doctors in the UKs after Withybush Hospital was not allocated any CMTs in August of this year.

Twenty-seven-year-old Yan Lynn Htoo, from Burma, is based in the Emergency and Urgent Care Centre.

He said: “I applied for the job after seeing it advertised on the NHS jobs website and both the hospital and the local area have exceeded my expectations. I was quite anxious when I arrived having not worked in the UK before, but my shadowing and training has been invaluable and I have been supported by the whole multi-disciplinary team.

“In Myanmar (Burma) there is quite a hierarchy where doctors delegate responsibility for things like investigations and bloods to other members of staff. Here the doctor keeps responsibility and that is of benefit as you are personally responsible and there is less likelihood of unnecessary delay or information being missed in translation.

“Everything is computerised, so that has definitely been something of a challenge to overcome but colleagues have been really helpful and we work as one team. Patients have also been very nice and it has been a real insight to be based in the emergency department and see a full range of presentations from those with medical complaints, to those needing surgery, or young children with minor injuries.”

Dr Htoo undertook his medical training back in Myanmar (Burma) and worked previously in Mandalay General Hospital in the specialist areas of medicine, surgery, paediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology.

“Although some healthcare is provided free of charge in Myanmar (Burma), for specialist investigations like CT scans you usually have to pay,” he said. “Hopefully one day Myanmar (Burma) will have a system similar to the NHS where healthcare is free at the point of delivery.”

Dr Htoo’s initial intense induction is now complete and he is playing an active role on the junior doctor rota, whilst at the same time studying to achieve further qualifications over a two year period. This will be invaluable to my future career and I am very grateful,” he said.

Dr Htoo is also hoping to spend time travelling around Pembrokeshire and the local area. “I researched the area before applying for the position and part of the attraction was the beautiful beaches, which surpass those in England. I can see the hospital has its challenges being in a rural area, but hopefully this programme is part of the solution.”

The training programme offered by Hywel Dda University Health Board is the first of its kind in Wales and aims to recruit doctors to rural hospitals in an environment of a shortage of junior doctors across the UK. As part of the scheme, the university health board purchases an e-portfolio for each doctor to enable them to build their competencies and achieve qualifications just like other trainee doctors in the NHS.

Another clinical fellow who joined the scheme is 27-year-old Azhar Hussain, from Pakistan. Dr Hussain, who trained at Mayo Hospital in Lahore, is based primarily with the gastroenteritis team.

He said: “I am very grateful to Hywel Dda University Health Board for investing so robustly into this training scheme, which will give each of us invaluable portfolio experience over the two years. I don’t think any other hospital in the UK is doing this and I must say the whole experience – from the induction to the teaching and support with settling into the UK – has been excellent.

“The whole multi-disciplinary team at Withybush Hospital have been very patient and helpful with us. I would particularly like to mention the pharmacy department who have gone out of their way to assist us with protocols, my educational mentor Dr Faiz Ali who has taken such a personal interest in my wellbeing, Dr Chris James who has given much of his time to the clinical fellows on a daily basis, Erika Cowie and Tracy Sandell from Medical Education for setting up everything for our in-hospital simulation training sessions, and the entire medical, nursing, HR and Post Graduate support teams.”

Dr Hussain and his wife are settling well into the Haverfordwest area and have enjoyed seeing some of the local beauty spots and sites of interest.

“I must admit the weather hasn’t been the most co-operative,” said Dr Hussain. “I was working with the out-of-hours GPs the other evening when storm Barney hit and the winds shook the car as we passed over the Cleddau Bridge.”

Chief Executive Steve Moore recently met with Dr Htoo, Dr Hussain and others employed as part of the programme. He said: “Last summer we were faced with a great challenge and we put huge effort into finding a solution that would work for our area. It has been great to hear first-hand how this training is benefiting these doctors, whilst also contributing to our ability to sustain healthcare services for our population.

“We don’t underestimate the ongoing challenges with recruitment in medical and nursing staff, but this scheme is part of what we are doing proactively to adapt to the environment in which we operate.”

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service invites public to AGM and Board meeting

Published

15 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Annual report, finances and patient experiences will be discussed during online meetings on July 30

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE is inviting members of the public to attend its Annual General Meeting and bi-monthly Board meeting later this month.

The AGM will be held online via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, July 30, from 9.30am until 10.45am.

Members of the Board will provide updates on the Trust’s performance and financial position, as well as discussing its annual report and accounts for 2025/26.

There will also be an opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to submit questions.

Colin Dennis, Chair of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Our AGM is an important opportunity to reflect on the achievements and progress of the past year and the impact these have had on our services.

“This includes transforming the way we deliver services to provide patients with the right advice and care, in the right place, every time.

“It also gives us the chance to look ahead, share our vision for the future and explain the actions we are taking to achieve it.”

Questions can be submitted during the AGM using the Microsoft Teams Q&A function.

Alternatively, questions can be sent in advance by emailing [email protected] before Wednesday, July 29.

The Trust’s bi-monthly Board meeting will take place immediately after the AGM, beginning at 11am.

During the meeting, Board members will hear the findings of the Good Governance Institute’s recent external review of the Trust Board’s effectiveness.

They will also hear from Lucy Burrows, whose young son lives with a range of physical and neurodiverse conditions.

Ms Burrows will speak about her family’s experience of the patient-centred care provided by an attending Emergency Medical Service crew.

An agenda for the Board meeting is expected to be published on the Welsh Ambulance Service’s website shortly.

Questions for the Board can also be submitted in advance by emailing [email protected] by Wednesday, July 29.

The Microsoft Teams links for both meetings will become active around ten minutes before each meeting begins.

Entertainment

Imperial Hotel announces four-day Bank Holiday celebration in Tenby

Published

38 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Live DJs, terrace sessions and a new community event will form the hotel’s biggest August programme to date

THE IMPERIAL HOTEL in Tenby has announced plans for its biggest August Bank Holiday celebration yet, with four days of music, entertainment and community events overlooking South Beach.

The programme will run from Friday, August 28, until Monday, August 31, building on the hotel’s popular Tenby Rocks terrace sessions, which have taken place every Saturday throughout the summer.

Celebrations will begin on Friday evening with a ticketed event featuring DJ Mammoth, also known as Steve Dickson, who will perform a selection of Ibiza classics and house music.

Guests will also be served a specially prepared set menu in the hotel’s Essence restaurant before the evening continues with music and dancing overlooking the coastline.

Tickets for the Friday event cost £25 per person.

On Saturday, Tenby Rocks will return from midday until 7pm, with music and cocktails served on the terrace throughout the afternoon.

Presenters and DJs from Pembrokeshire radio station Pure West will take over from 5pm until 7pm.

A special community-focused event will then be held on Sunday from 5pm until 10pm.

The hotel has not yet released full details, but organisers say the evening will be designed to bring residents and visitors together in a celebration of Tenby and its community.

The weekend will conclude on Monday with live entertainment from midday until 6pm.

Inspired by the Tenby Rocks format, the final afternoon will feature laid-back reggae music aimed at families and groups of friends enjoying the last day of the Bank Holiday.

Amelia Parkes, Group Marketing Executive at Crest Hotels, said: “Our Tenby Rocks afternoons have become a real highlight of the summer, attracting both local residents and visitors who love the relaxed atmosphere, great music, cocktails and unbeatable views from the Imperial Hotel.

“For the August Bank Holiday, we wanted to create something even bigger by extending the celebrations across the entire weekend.

“Whether you are joining us for our ticketed Friday evening, enjoying DJ sets with Pure West on Saturday, discovering our Sunday community event or relaxing with music on Monday, there is something for everyone.

“Tenby is one of the UK’s favourite seaside destinations, and we are looking forward to welcoming guests from across Pembrokeshire for what promises to be an unforgettable Bank Holiday weekend.”

The celebrations are expected to add to the atmosphere in Tenby during what is traditionally one of the town’s busiest weekends of the summer.

Tickets for Friday evening are available through the Imperial Hotel Tenby website, with further details about Sunday’s community event due to be announced in the coming weeks.

Local Government

New Hook homes help local families remain in their communities

Published

42 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Harcourt Close development provides social and intermediate-rent properties for households facing rural housing pressures

A NEW housing development in Hook is helping local families remain in rural Pembrokeshire amid growing concerns over the availability and affordability of homes.

Harcourt Close includes a mixture of two to five-bedroom properties, designed for households ranging from first-time tenants and smaller families to larger, multi-generational families.

The homes have been built to modern standards and include energy-efficiency measures aimed at reducing running costs and supporting more sustainable living.

The development includes both social housing and intermediate-rent properties, providing affordable options for people with differing levels of housing need.

Social housing is intended for households in the greatest need, while intermediate rent provides an alternative for working households that may not qualify for social housing but are struggling to meet the cost of renting privately.

A Local Lettings Policy has also been introduced, giving priority to applicants with strong connections to Hook and the surrounding area.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the policy had helped residents remain close to relatives, schools, employment and existing support networks.

One resident said the policy had enabled her family to remain in the community where she had grown up.

She said: “I have lived in Llangwm all my life, and the Local Connections Lettings Policy meant that I was able to secure a family home in the same area where I grew up.

“This has allowed me to remain close to family and friends and means that my daughter can attend the same primary school that I did.”

Housing availability has become an increasing concern across rural Pembrokeshire, where rising property prices, private rents and the number of second homes have made it more difficult for some local people to remain in their communities.

Councillor Michelle Bateman, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said Harcourt Close was providing much-needed affordable homes.

She said: “Harcourt Close is providing much-needed affordable homes for local people while helping to keep families connected to their communities.

“The mixed-tenure approach ensures a range of housing options for residents, supporting those in greatest need as well as working households looking for an affordable home.

“This development demonstrates the positive impact that well-planned affordable housing can have, not only by providing quality homes but also by helping communities to thrive and remain sustainable for future generations.”

The council said the scheme formed part of its wider effort to meet local housing demand and support sustainable rural communities.

Anyone wishing to apply for one of the properties must have an up-to-date housing application.

Further information is available by emailing [email protected], calling 01437 764551 or visiting the Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Services Facebook page.