News

No return for baby unit

Published

10 years ago

February 24, 2016

Mark Drakeford, AM: ‘Best advice’ says no way back for SCBU

WHILE Deputy Minister Vaughan Gething visited Withybush Hospital on Monday (Feb 1), his boss, Welsh Health Minister Professor Mark Drakeford was in Llanelli being interviewed by Herald reporter Alan Evans.

Attacking Conservative election pledges, Professor Drakeford told The Herald: “The Tories say they want to spend more on the health service. People need to look at their record, rather than what they say. The Welsh Government has 10% less money to spend every single year and 30% less on capital funding to make sure we have the buildings and equipment we need for the future.

“Right across England where the Tories are in charge trusts are being instructed to sack nurses because their budget is so badly overspent.”

Professor Drakeford concluded: “The Tories are in public life to cut and cut again.”

We asked about the 8,500 signature petition to reverse the centralisation of services in Glangwili Hospital and whether it would sway the decision to remove maternity and SCBU services from Withybush Hospital.

The Minister’s response was unequivocal and un-encouraging: “That decision came to me as a recommendation from the Board. The decision was independently reviewed last year. It will not be reversed, because the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health – in other words, the clinical specialists who we have to rely on for advice – tell us that the way things are done now is the best way for mothers and babies.

“I will not make a decision that is not good for patients. All the best advice tells us that mothers and babies in that part of Wales have a better service now as a result of the change.”

Praising the front line staff, Mark Drakeford told us: “We have a fantastic group of midwives working out of Withybush who can do more in the future. You can’t go backwards to a position where people in that part of Wales will get a service that nobody else in Wales would be prepared to put up with.

“We are looking at making sure that we have a strong midwife service who in the future will take 40% of all births that happen in that area. Where a mother needs a specialist service above and beyond what a midwife unit can provide that mother needs to know that she will be looked after somewhere where all the expertise she needs is available every single day right around the clock. You can’t do that if you spread your resources thinly everywhere.”

The Minister concluded by telling our reporter: “You do have to concentrate in a place to guarantee that the service that is provided is the service that is needed and it will be at Glangwili and we will invest more money again in the next financial year to improve the physical fabric of that service. Mothers in this part of Wales will be better off as a result.”

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.