News
Health services reviewed
The Health Board has announced that it is to review the care and support provided from South Pembrokeshire Hospital in the New Year. Along with Pembrokeshire County Council, it will consider whether any improvements or changes are required to meet patient and customer need. The review will consider services and activity that is jointly funded and talk to staff, patients, partners and stakeholders about their needs and ideas about future service provision.
It will include a comprehensive review of: day care and rehabilitation/ reablement for adults, including therapy input inpatient services which include 35 health and 5 social beds support services including administration, estates, hotel services, transport accommodation space for health and social care staff and provision within the area for visiting services Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive of the Health Board Joe Teape explained: “We know that South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health & Social Care Resource Centre is a much loved and valued service within the local community. It’s really important that we take a careful look at the service model in the facility to ensure it is best meeting need and is having a positive impact for patients, including their outcomes and their experience of care.
“We also can’t ignore the external environment we are working within in health and social care and the future demographics of our population. This makes it really important to ensure our services are sustainable and make the best use of our resources for maximum patient benefit.” The review will consider what current service models are like and how they are performing, consider if there is potential for change and look at alternative models of care, and agree how the University Health Board and Local Authority can continue to work together on areas of mutual benefit. The review will include discussion with staff, service users and wider patient representatives through the Community Health Council.
The review will also consider impact of changes in relation to policy, fair charging and the impact of the forthcoming Social Services and Well Being Wales Act. Mr Teape stressed: “At this stage we are not consulting on any service change, but rather taking a close and prudent look at our services to ensure they are working in the best interests of our patients and population and to consider any potential changes and improvements that could be made.
We want to do this with our patients, staff and partners using the principles of co-production and options to ensure that models are inclusive and the right solutions for this particular locality and Pembrokeshire.” A project group has been established , with representation from doctors, therapists, medicines management, health and social care management, finance, human resources, estates, third sector providers, wider staff representation and invited representation from Hywel Dda Community Health Council Pam Marsden, Director of Social Services and Leisure for Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “As a Local Authority we are working closely with the Health Board. We want to ensure services continue to improve, are value for money and meet need. Both agencies need to make the best use of resources. We are looking forward to hearing from all stakeholders about this important facility.”
The Health Board and Local Authority will be arranging a series of stakeholder meetings and regular meetings with staff and will produce regular briefings for all parties. Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Simon Thomas has appealed to hospital users to give their views during a review of the South Pembrokeshire Hospital in Pembroke Dock. Mid and West AM Simon Thomas said: “I’m urging people to make their views known during the review. The Pembroke Dock site is valued locally. “The Party of Wales welcomes the health board and Pembrokeshire Council working together – joint working is something we have promoted in the National Assembly.
“In a deal with the Welsh Government Plaid Cymru secured £8million for an Intermediate Care Fund for the region. It was designed to alleviate some of the problems within the emergency care system by providing alternatives to hospitalisation and support independent living. Ultimately we want health and social services to come together.” Speaking in Pembroke Dock, Marc Tierney said: “The review of South Pembrokeshire hospital is unexpected. “I have visited the hospital and know local people who have accessed care up on Fort Road. We have already experienced the loss of the Minor Injuries Unit which added to the local GP caseload and forced other to seek treatment at Withybush with patients needing to pay bridge tolls and additional fuel costs.”
Mr Tierney continued: “The local authority budget is under pressure and Pembrokeshire Council is looking at all angles to reduce costs. So a review on doing things better isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But the facts speak for themselves – our population is aging, patient needs are increasingly complex and Tory austerity is strangling public service spending. “I can see real benefits in bringing health and social care together and working more closely with the third sector to support people makes sense. The PIVOT scheme has already proven this in Pembrokeshire.” Mr Tierney urged residents to respond to the Health Board’s review: “Whilst I would encourage patients to feed in their views, without any proper consultation it is difficult to know what arguments to make to ensure services are maintained, beds aren’t lost and the patients who require the excellent care and support currently offered by South Pembs continue to receive what they need in a setting close to their home. “I will be meeting with the Health Board in the new year expressing my view that South Pembs is, and must remain, an important centre for delivering health care this side of the Cleddau Bridge.”
News
Campaigners urge Welsh Government to adopt proportional representation for Local Elections
CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Welsh Government to introduce the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system for local elections, following moves by two councils to shift away from the First Past the Post (FPTP) system being blocked on technical grounds.
Yesterday (Nov 14), Ceredigion Council voted narrowly, with an 18 to 17 majority, in favor of adopting STV. This follows Gwynedd Council’s decision last month, where 65% of councillors backed the move. However, both councils have been prevented from implementing STV due to a requirement for a two-thirds majority under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.
In recent consultations, public support for STV has been overwhelming, with over 70% in Gwynedd and 67% in Ceredigion favoring the change. Only Powys Council rejected the proposal, despite 60.5% of its respondents supporting STV. Campaigners argue that the current system deprives voters of representation, citing that over 100,000 people were denied a vote in the 2022 elections due to uncontested seats.
The Electoral Reform Society Cymru (ERS Cymru) highlights the contrast with Scotland, where the introduction of STV for local elections in 2007 has significantly reduced uncontested seats. According to ERS Cymru, Scotland has had fewer uncontested seats in the last four elections combined than Gwynedd Council recorded alone in 2022.
Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said:
“Decisions made in council chambers affect everyone in those areas, so every vote should count. It’s absurd that councils choosing STV are blocked by a technicality, leaving them stuck with an outdated system that denies representation to thousands. The Welsh Government must act to avoid repeating the undemocratic outcomes of the last elections.”
Campaigners are now calling on the Welsh Government to introduce STV across all councils in Wales, ensuring representation that reflects the electorate’s wishes.
Business
Upgrades completed at Port of Milford Haven’s simulator suite
UPGRADES have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment within the Port of Milford Haven’s navigation simulator suite at Milford Waterfront enabling marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training. The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real world situations such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations and escort tug work.
The upgrades provided by Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.
Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-Pilot Andy Hillier, involving members of the Svitzer team as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes. As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The Pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhances participants’ skill sets.
Marine Pilot and Simulator Instructor, Captain Ewan McNicoll, said “This simulator suite has future proofed our training capabilities, both internally for Pilots and marine staff, but also externally for clients wishing to use the facility, be it for training purposes or research and development. We can create any type of scenario with any type of ship, ranging from practicing ship handling manoeuvres to emergency situations, it really is game changing! Working with our partners at MARIN has been a complete success and I am very proud of our new facility.”
For more information about training at the navigation simulation suite please contact the Port of Milford Haven at [email protected] or 01646 696100.
Business
Thousands of homes in rural Wales gain from faster 4G boost
RURAL Wales is seeing a major upgrade in mobile connectivity, with faster 4G now live in several areas. Seven locations across North, South West, and West Wales are benefitting from new 4G mast upgrades funded by the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN), aimed at closing the digital gap between rural and urban areas.
The upgrades, which went live on Thursday (Nov 14), bring improved 4G coverage to communities including Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Penmaenpool, Tabor, Snowdonia National Park, and Bontgoch. Local businesses, emergency services, and residents are expected to benefit from faster internet access, which supports daily communication, business opportunities, and economic growth.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Fast, reliable connectivity is essential for modern life and should be available from Cardiff to the remotest parts of Wales. Today’s upgrades bring us closer to making this a reality.”
SUPPORTING DIGITAL INCLUSION
As part of the rollout, Peter Kyle and Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant visited Ebbw Vale to discuss digital inclusion with charity and industry leaders. They met with representatives at BGfm, a digital inclusion hub in Blaenau Gwent, to learn about how connectivity impacts daily life in Welsh communities.
Telecoms Minister Bryant said: “We are working tirelessly to make sure rural communities aren’t left behind online.
“These upgrades mean businesses can now operate without connectivity limitations, 999 services are better equipped to respond, and residents and tourists can stay connected across the Welsh countryside.”
ADDRESSING CONNECTIVITY GAPS
An estimated 1.5 million homes across the UK remain without internet access, limiting people’s ability to access essential services such as banking and healthcare. In addition to the SRN upgrades, the Chancellor has allocated over £500 million in next year’s budget for digital infrastructure expansion, targeting these underserved areas.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the importance of this investment, particularly for rural Wales, where fast, reliable internet can be transformative.
“Connectivity is critical for day-to-day life in rural areas – from supporting local businesses to ensuring emergency services are just a call away,” Stevens said.
The upgraded masts, previously limited to EE customers and emergency 999 calls, now serve a wider user base, bringing essential internet access to more people without requiring new infrastructure.
Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, said: “With the activation of five new SRN sites, Wales is seeing the tangible benefits of the Shared Rural Network, bringing crucial connectivity to rural communities.”
GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN REMOTE WALES
The improvements come alongside a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties, helping future-proof digital access in even the most isolated locations.
The latest upgrades mark another step in the Government’s mission to improve mobile coverage and close the connectivity gap across Wales, creating opportunities and supporting economic growth across rural communities.
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