News
Thousands sign online petition for return 24 hour paediatric care at Withybush
AN ONLINE petition to bring back 24 hour paediatric services to Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest has gained over 2000 signatures in only a few hours.
The change.org appeal, started by hospital campaigner Myles Banford-Lewis was launched on social media today and has received a ground-swell of support.
Myles said: “I am petitioning the Hywel Dda Health Board and Mark Drakeford, the Health Minister to return 24 hour Paediatrics to Withybush General Hospital. Back in August 2014 the Hywel Dda Health board and the Labour Welsh Assembly pushed through a policy of centralisation to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen. This now means that there is no Special Care Baby Unit, 24 hour Children’s Ward (currently running on a limited 12 hour service) and no 24 hour antenatal care at Withybush Hospital.
He added: “This in itself has had a completely negative impact on health care in south west Wales with many families being forced to travel for over an hour to reach the healthcare they need at Glangwili. Moreover this has also caused a great deal of hardship on these families, myself included as we have been forced to drive in some cases over 100 mile round trip to reach these service.
“Sometimes even further as Glangwili is often full up with children from both counties. Lives have been put at risk by the removal of services in the Pembrokeshire locality and this is wholly unacceptable in this day and age. Severely ill children that would otherwise be seen locally and stabilised locally are now having to wait for a transport team based in Bristol to come down to Haverfordwest to drive a child to a hospital nearly an hour away for treatment.
“This ambulance (and there is only one to cover everywhere from Ceredigion to Oxfordshire) can take several hours to arrive. It took eight hours to transport my own daughter from Withybush to Glangwili before Christmas. The problems that the current centralisation policy has caused are horrendous to families and need addressing immediately. We need our services back starting with the children’s ward which can be returned to 24 hour status in the quickest possible time.”
TO SIGN THE PETITION CLICK HERE
Business
Networking Success Celebrated at Pembrokeshire Four Seasons Business Lunch
WEST Wales businesses recently came together for the Spring Pembrokeshire Four Seasons Business Lunch to connect with others in the region and hear a talk from the Director of the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, Dr Lucy Sutherland.
Hosted by JCP Solicitors, Ashmole & Co, Thomas Carroll, and Development Bank of Wales, the busy networking event took place at Tenby Golf Club and provided an opportunity to meet with local businesspeople and leaders in the area.
The talk from Dr Sutherland gave insight into the strategy behind the Botanic Garden of Wales’s success, outlining how the attraction adapts and evolves to bring together sciences, arts, and design in a way to connect and inspire communities.
Georgina Walters, Director and Head of Commercial Property (West Wales) at JCP Solicitors, said: “We were delighted to welcome over 50 attendees to the Spring Pembrokeshire Four Seasons Business Lunch, as it provided an excellent opportunity to meet with others and strengthen connections in Pembrokeshire.
“These events are so valuable for making local connections and taking inspiration from how other businesses or organisations are rising to emerging challenges. It was thought-provoking to hear how the National Botanic Garden of Wales is adapting to ever-changing visitor expectations and policy developments, and we hope attendees found these insights helpful for their own future planning.
“Our lunch events are always popular with local organisations, and so we encourage those interested to sign up as soon as possible. Our next event will be our Summer Lunch and we look forward to meeting more people there.”
To be added to the mailing list, please email [email protected]
Community
Port of Milford Haven renews partnership with Milford Youth Matters
THE Port of Milford Haven has strengthened its commitment to supporting the development of young people via a renewed partnership agreement with Milford Youth Matters. The two organisations have been working in collaboration for over five years to improve skills, aspirations, confidence levels and positive experiences for young people in Milford Haven. The new three-year agreement will enable Milford Youth Matters to deliver Friday night youth provision at a new venue based in Haven’s Head Business Park.
The partnership between the Port and Milford Youth Matters has resulted in hugely successful youth projects including the award-winning Under the Bridge project, WAVE – a water-safety initiative – and Winter Warmers, which provided young people with free meals and a warm space to socialise in a safe environment. All projects are supporting young people to achieve their full potential with many learning new skills, gaining qualifications and taking up volunteering activities. They have also led to a decreased anti-social behaviour in the area.
The new premises at Haven’s Head will allow Milford Youth Matters to expand their current offering and focus more on their academy work, which includes upskilling young people.
Dayle Gibby, Co-Ordinator at Milford Youth Matters said: “Its fantastic that the Port of Milford Haven shares our vision in providing ongoing opportunities for young people in our community. By working together we are able to align our resources to ensure that young people are provided with experiences that will enhance their future potential, whether that be employability, volunteering or to become active members of our town. Our ongoing and enhanced partnership looks to ensure the maximum impact is achieved with long lasting benefits for our future generations.”
Lauren Williams, PR & Communications Officer added: “We’re lucky to have organisations like Milford Youth Matters on our doorstep, offering young people creative outlets and skills opportunities. Our partnership over the past 5 years has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted to be able to increase our support over the coming years.”
Charity
New Quay RNLI stalwart volunteer receives award from High Sheriff of Dyfed
RECENTLY, a long-standing member of New Quay RNLI, Tim Richards received an award from the High Sheriff of Dyfed, Professor Medwin Hughes for valuable services to the community.
The High Sheriff Awards are a mark of distinction and recognition given to volunteers, groups and public servants based in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire who are making a significant contribution to society through enhancing safety and cohesion in our communities.
Stalwart volunteer of New Quay RNLI from shore crew to fundraising, Tim has been part of the crew for over 16 years and has held many positions from shore crew to Chair of New Quay RNLI Fundraising Group including working overseas but always returning to New Quay RNLI.
Tim, aged 74, said, “I was truly honoured to receive my services to the community award from The High Sheriff of Dyfed, Professor Hughes. I’ve been part of New Quay RNLI for over 16 years and encourage anyone to take part. It’s a great institution to be involved with. I’ve always had strong connections to the sea being a keen kayaker and boatman and I’ll continue to support New Quay RNLI as being a volunteer and saving lives at sea is deeply rooted in me.”
Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager added, “We would also like to congratulate Tim for his well-deserved award and thank him for all his hard work over the years with the New Quay RNLI crew and with the New Quay RNLI fundraising group. It’s volunteers like Tim who are an integral part of the organisation and ensure the RNLI can continue to save lives at sea.”
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