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.”
Crime
Man accused of ‘parasitic behaviour’ used woman for sex, money and drink
A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of exploiting a vulnerable woman for sex, accommodation, finances, and alcohol has been made the subject of an interim Stalking Protection Order.
Mark Ion, 53, is set to be released from custody next Thursday, December 19.
This week, Dyfed-Powys Police solicitor Simon Schwarz urged Haverfordwest magistrates to impose the order to protect the victim, whom he described as “vulnerable, with drug and alcohol addiction issues.”
“She has been preyed upon by the defendant since September 2023,” Mr Schwarz told the court on Tuesday (Dec 10). “He has demonstrated parasitic behaviour towards her, using her for accommodation, finances, drink, and sex.
As soon as he’s released, he’ll be back, exhibiting coercive and controlling behaviour. His criminal record shows extreme violence towards women.”
Ion is accused of a prolonged period of control and abuse over the victim, with incidents dating back to October 2023.
Mr Schwarz presented harrowing evidence of Ion’s behaviour, including instances of violence and coercion.
- October 6, 2023: A member of the public reported seeing Ion with the victim on a bench in Haverfordwest. The victim appeared intoxicated and barely conscious, slumped against Ion, who was seen with his hands inside her trousers. The victim was taken to the hospital but had no memory of the incident.
- October 30, 2023: A 999 call led officers to an address in Slade Park, Haverfordwest, where the victim was found with a swollen eye. She alleged that Ion had hit her. At the time, Ion was subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with another woman living on the same street as the victim.
- October 24, 2023: Ion and the victim were seen arguing on a bus from Haverfordwest to Pembroke Dock. Ion, drinking whisky, threatened to hit the victim with the bottle and struck another woman who intervened. This assault led to a custodial sentence.
- November 21, 2023: A neighbour called 999 after hearing someone kicking the victim’s door. Ion was heard shouting, “Open the door, you f****** bitch,” while the victim was described as cowering like “a timid animal.”
Further incidents occurred, including a violent attack on June 8, 2024, when Ion punched the victim after she refused to have sex with him.
According to Mr Schwarz, Ion continued to harass the victim while in custody, sending letters that terrified her, including claims they would marry and have children.
Ion, currently serving a custodial sentence for an unrelated matter, appeared via video link from HM Parc Prison in Bridgend. He became aggressive during the hearing, leading prison staff to mute his comments.
After reviewing the evidence, magistrates imposed an interim Stalking Protection Order, effective from Ion’s release until a full hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on December 31. The order aims to safeguard the victim and prevent further contact.
“This is a woman who needs protection. It’s now clear her life is at risk,” Mr Schwarz concluded.
Community
Festive Friends spread cheer again at Milford Haven School
THE FESTIVE FRIENDS of Milford Haven School are back, bringing their Christmas magic to the community for a second year running.
Following the success of last year’s initiative, the Festive Friends project has returned to combat loneliness and spread holiday cheer. This heartwarming effort is made possible through support from the Ascona Community Foundation, whose funding has helped the students kick off another season of joy.
The pupils marked the start of Advent by visiting Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre, where they hosted a festive afternoon for the Stroke Survivors Group. Attendees were treated to Christmas bingo, seasonal quizzes, and delicious treats, creating a joyful and inclusive atmosphere.
One Milford Haven student reflected on the experience, saying: “It was an honour to be part of this project and socialise with the older members of our community. Their stories are so interesting, and they’re so funny.” Another student added: “I’m so happy our school lets us work with the community. It’s inspired me to give back in the future.”
The project’s impact was felt deeply by attendees, with one guest commenting: “This was such a lovely way to start the countdown to Christmas. I don’t get out much, so it was wonderful to be among friends and chat with young people from our community.” Another remarked: “The students were so polite and kind. The school should be incredibly proud of them.”
With its second year proving just as successful as the first, the Festive Friends project has once again highlighted the power of community, kindness, and Christmas spirit.
Crime
Four dogs in poor condition found at Pembroke Dock property
A MAN has been sentenced after four dogs were discovered living in squalid conditions in a Pembroke Dock property, which was littered with rubbish and contaminated with faeces and urine.
The animals—a male chow, two bulldog-type dogs (one male and one female), and a male lurcher—were found in January 2024 in a state of neglect. Two of the dogs were confined to cages, with one described as being in an appalling condition.
The male chow, found with a matted coat contaminated with faeces, was in such poor health that he appeared unresponsive. The female bulldog-type dog, also in a cage, had no bedding or water, although dry dog food was present. The environment was described as filthy and unsuitable for any animals.
Court proceedings
Kane Robert Jake Watson (24), of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act. He appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Nov 27), where he was handed a 32-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. Watson was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, pay £750 in costs, and was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.
Failure to care for animals
Watson admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the male chow and the female bulldog by failing to investigate and address their poor condition and weight loss. He also failed to provide necessary veterinary care for the bulldog’s skin condition. Additionally, he was found guilty of failing to meet the basic needs of all four dogs, including providing a suitable environment, fresh drinking water, and adequate care and supervision.
Inspector’s statement
RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben attended the property on January 24, 2024, following a request from the local dog warden to conduct a welfare check.
“I entered the property, and the smell of dog faeces and urine made me cough,” said Inspector Hogben. “The environment was filthy, wet, and strewn with household rubbish. Dog faeces and urine were on the floor.”
He described finding the male chow in a cage without water and with a heavily matted coat. “The chow was in poor condition and smelled disgusting. The female bulldog in the adjacent cage was lean and had no water or bedding, although dry food was present.”
Two other dogs, a bulldog with a cherry eye and a lurcher, were found elsewhere in the property. While they appeared in better health, the environment was deemed unsuitable for them.
Outcome for the dogs
Following a veterinary assessment, the male chow and female bulldog were determined to be in a state of suffering. The chow’s health deteriorated further despite treatment, and he was humanely euthanized. The remaining dogs were taken into police care and rehomed.
This case highlights the serious consequences of neglecting animals and the importance of maintaining proper living conditions to meet their welfare needs.
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