News

Overdose awareness campaign following recent deaths

Published

9 years ago

May 27, 2016

needle

DYFED Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS), in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Dyfed Powys Police, National Probation Service and Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Local Authorities, have expressed serious concern about possible drug-related deaths in the Dyfed-Powys area, which may be the result of a batch of heroin and street synthetic opiates.

Partners are now working together on an overdose awareness campaign to be rolled out across Carmarthen, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire at the end of May to alert service users, their families and the general public.

The campaign will run from 31st May to the 4th June and anyone can drop in to the big black recovery bus which will be parked in various locations:

31st May – we will be in Aberystwyth
1st June – Castle Square, Haverforwest
2nd June – ASDA car park, Pembroke Dock
3rd June – Station Road in Llanelli
4th June – Guild Hall, Carmarthen.

Campaign co-ordinator for DDAS said: “If you spot the big black bus then please drop in. They will be dispensing Naloxone kits (a life saving overdose medication), raising awareness about mixing drugs with alcohol and giving away alcohol unit wheels for people to take home with them. DDAS’s needle and syringe service and Wedinos sampling will also be on offer and they will be working alongside Terrance Higgins Trust colleagues to raise awareness of blood borne viruses as well as community dental teams to raise awareness about oral health for drug and alcohol users.”

Rowan Williams, Regional Director, Drugaid, added: “Whilst nobody wants to see people risk their lives by taking drugs, we recognise that there are a lot of individuals who misuse drugs, including heroin. Over the years we have seen far too many lives destroyed by drugs – not just the users but also their families and friends, after all drug users are also somebody’s son or daughter, mother or father.

“We are encouraging service users to utilise the Wedinos Sampling Testing Service, who collect samples of unknown and unidentified substances for testing and then analyse these for their chemical profile. Often, people are taking a mixture of substances that is different to what they think they have purchased. Service users can contact DDAS on 03303 639 997 or drop in to one of our operational bases across Dyfed for harm reduction advice or support in submitting a Wedinos sample.”

Sian Roberts, Service Manager for DDAS wants to urge professionals from all sectors who come into contact with drug users to get in touch for a 20 minute training workshop on Naloxone.

She said: “Naloxone is a life saving drug that temporarily reverses the effects of an accidental overdose of drugs such as heroin, codeine/co-codamol and morphine. As a service, we want to raise awareness about this drug so that the message reaches as many people as possible. We have trained 37 professionals and trained and dispense 48 service users with Naloxone kits since January. In Carmarthenshire alone, we are aware that Naloxone has been administered on 5 occasions, saving 5 lives.”

DDAS has issued an invitation for any drug user or family or friends of users to get in touch to discuss any concerns or worries. The project can offer a variety of ways to help those wishing to stop using or cut down and is able to discuss confidentially any drug related concerns. Service users are encouraged to obtain Take Home Naloxone which DDAS can provide. The telephone number is 03303 639 997. Out of hours call DAN 24 / 7 on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN 81066.

Teresa Owen, Chair of the Dyfed Area Planning Board and Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board commented:

“Thankfully drug related deaths in Wales have been falling during the past two years. Incidents like this only serve to highlight the need to continue to inform and educate drug users about the risks they face.

“The most important thing is to prevent any further deaths and any further heartache to families. DDAS is working with similar agencies, the police and other emergency services to warn of the dangers and risks of heroin taking. There is no such thing as a “safe” illicit drug and that’s the message we need to get across.”

Superintendent Claire Parmenter, Local Policing Commander for Carmarthenshire said: “We are committed to preventing further tragedies and fully sypport this Overdose Awareness Campaign.

“Our role as police is enforcement activity and we work closely with the harm reduction agencies to encourage individuals to stop consuming drugs, particularly heroin.

“We are appealing to anyone with information about the supply of heroin or any drugs in the community to contact the police by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Rowan Williams added: “It is so sad that we are yet again seeing individuals die as a result of drug taking and I would urge drug users to get in touch with DDAS, or any other agency for advice and support or to get their own Naloxone kits to try and ensure we don’t have further tragic deaths.”

Education

Wales’ ‘best’ nursing college earmarked for closure in sweeping cuts

Published

1 hour ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cardiff University nursing school at risk

THE PRESTIGIOUS Nursing School at Cardiff University, ranked the best in Wales and fifth in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2023, faces potential closure as part of a major restructuring plan. The university has announced proposals to cut 400 jobs, discontinue several degree programmes, and possibly shut down academic schools, including nursing, modern languages, music, ancient history, translation, religion, and theology. These changes are subject to a 90-day consultation period.

The news has sent shockwaves through the academic and healthcare communities, with staff and students expressing outrage and concern.

Unions and government respond

University and College Union (UCU) representative Andy Williams described the scale of the proposed cuts as “devastating,” warning of their impact on the university, the city of Cardiff, and the wider region.

A Welsh Government spokesperson echoed these concerns, expressing disappointment that nursing courses could be discontinued. They stressed the importance of collaboration between Cardiff University, trade unions, staff, and students to address the challenges posed by these restructuring plans. The government is particularly concerned about sustaining the pipeline of trained nurses in Wales and is working with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to respond to the situation.

Impact on healthcare

Helen Whyley, Executive Director for Wales at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), criticised the proposed closure, highlighting the severe nursing shortages already affecting Wales. She noted that Cardiff University’s Nursing School plays a vital role in producing skilled nurses who serve communities across the region. “This decision could undermine efforts to address critical staffing challenges in the healthcare sector,” she said.

RCN Wales has vowed to respond formally to the consultation process, advocating for the preservation of nursing education in Wales. The union has warned that closing the school would have far-reaching implications for the profession, healthcare infrastructure, and local communities.

Future of nursing at risk

The proposed cuts have sparked widespread concern, with stakeholders questioning the long-term impact on Wales’ healthcare system. As consultations continue, the future of Cardiff University’s Nursing School remains uncertain. The decision could significantly disrupt the nursing workforce, potentially leaving Wales ill-equipped to address the growing demands on its healthcare services.

This decision comes at a time of financial strain for higher education institutions, with Cardiff University citing budgetary pressures as the reason for the proposed changes. Critics argue that the closure of such a highly regarded institution would damage not only the university’s reputation but also the healthcare landscape across Wales.

Stakeholders await outcome

The potential closure has prompted calls for swift action to protect the future of nursing education in Wales. As consultations progress, unions, students, and healthcare leaders are urging Cardiff University to reconsider the plans.

The Herald will continue to monitor this developing story, providing updates on the implications of these cuts for Cardiff University, Wales’ nursing workforce, and the broader healthcare sector.

Health

Hywel Dda Health Board announces Community Vaccination Centres

Published

2 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL Dda University Health Board is organizing pop-up community vaccine centres to make it easier for eligible individuals to access their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

To check your eligibility for the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine:

Visit: phw.nhs.wales
Contact the health board: 0300 303 8322 (Option 1)
Email: [email protected]

If you are eligible, you can either drop in at one of the centres listed below or book an appointment using the details above.

New clinics are being arranged for February. Stay updated by visiting the health board’s webpage:
Seasonal Flu Vaccinations

Vaccination Centres and Schedules

Carmarthenshire

Carmarthen Athletic RFC
Athletic Park, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3QY

Monday, January 27: 9:30am–4:45pm
Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, January 29: 9:30am–4:45pm
Thursday, January 30: 9:30am–4:45pm

Llandeilo Fawr Civic Hall
17 Crescent Road, Llandeilo, SA19 6HW

Friday, January 31: 10:00am–4:45pm

Pontyberem Memorial Hall
Coalbrook Road, Pontyberem, Llanelli, SA15 5HU

Tuesday, February 4: 9:30am–4:30pm

Llandovery RFC
Church Bank Playing Fields, Llandovery, SA20 0BA

Thursday, February 6: 10:00am–4:30pm
Friday, February 7: 10:00am–4:30pm

Ceredigion

Tregaron Memorial Hall
The Square, Tregaron, SY25 6JL

Monday, January 27: 10:00am–4:30pm

New Quay Memorial Hall
Ffordd Towyn Road, New Quay, SA45 9QQ

Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, January 29: 9:30am–4:45pm

The Pwerdy-Powerhouse Community Arts Centre
Chapel Street, Pont Tyweli, Llandysul, SA44 4AH

Tuesday, February 4: 10:00am–4:45pm
Wednesday, February 5: 10:00am–4:45pm

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Archives
Prendergast, Haverfordwest, SA61 2PE

Tuesday, January 28: 9:30am–4:50pm

Regency Hall
King George V Playing Fields, Milford Street, Saundersfoot, SA69 9NG

Friday, January 31: 9:30am–4:45pm

Neyland MVC
Unit 1, Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE

Monday, February 3: 9:30am–4:45pm
Wednesday, February 5: 9:30am–4:45pm

Llwyngwair Manor
Newport, Pembrokeshire, SA42 0LX

Thursday, February 6: 10:00am–4:30pm

Bloomfield House
Redstone Road, Narberth, SA67 7ES

Friday, February 7: 10:00am–4:45pm

News

Brynderwen beach hut to remain operating as an Airbnb

Published

2 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A call to allow an airbnb beach hut once sited on a Dorset sandbank to continue to be used for holiday accommodation on the edge of a Pembrokeshire village has been approved.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council planners, Mr and Mrs Bazeley sought permission for a retrospective change of use of a timber hut to a glamping holiday accommodation with outdoor kitchen and services at Brynderwen, St Dogmaels.

Local community council St Dogmaels objected to the application on the grounds that the proposal is outside the boundary of the village.

A supporting statement through agent Llyr Evans Planning Ltd said: “Brynderwen has been in the ownership of the applicants’ family for 150 years, originally by the applicants great-great-great-grandfather, before being handed down through the generations.

“When the applicants father died in 2022 Mr and Mrs Bazeley moved back to Brynderwen to manage the holding and make it financially viable. This includes recently gaining planning permission for two bespoke holiday cottages to the northeast of this site.”

It adds: “The hut was sited on Mudeford Sandbank in Dorset from 1962 to 2007 where it was a holiday destination for the applicants’ family. In 2007 the hut was moved from Dorset to its current position at Brynderwen.”

It says the hut was originally used as a feed storage and then a family day hut/ leisure use for BBQs and campfires before being renovated in 2022, subsequently offered for short-term lets between Jun and September of last year.

The statement adds the tourism development would contribute to the small-scale agricultural operations of 13-acre Brynderwen and “would make a valuable contribution towards the provision of tourism accommodation in the area, to economic development and to the resilience of the rural economy”.

The beach hut, called Salad Days, is listed on Airbnb, where it has already attracted 50 reviews, with an overall 4.98 out of five.

An officer report recommending approval said the small scale of the accommodation “provided within such close proximity to the settlement is considered acceptable in regard to the impact on the area,” and “Due to the location of the building being some distance from any neighbouring properties the development does not have a significant impact on neighbouring amenity.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.