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Tenby: Eye test leads to the discovery of woman’s brain tumour

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eye testA MOTHER of two from Tenby has thanked her local opticians after a check-up helped to detect a potentially sight-threatening brain tumour.
 
Peta Spiller, 37, visited her local doctor after experiencing a sudden loss of vision and was advised to contact Specsavers to help identify the root cause of her change in vision.
 
Specsavers in Pembroke Dock is accredited to deliver Wales Eye Care Services (WECS), meaning it is eligible to deliver primary eyecare services on behalf of the NHS in the form of targeted clinical tests. 
 
Prior to her loss of vision, Mrs Spiller had worn glasses for a number of years and had experienced sinus problems which she thought may have been responsible for the sudden deterioration in her sight.
 
Following a two-hour test at Specsavers, Gary Owen, store director and the optician who tested Mrs Spiller, contacted a hospital-based ophthalmologist and arranged an emergency appointment for her that day. At her local hospital, Mrs Spiller had a CT scan and it was discovered that she had a lump on her brain.  
 
She was transferred to the neurological ward in Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales for an MRI scan, which confirmed that Mrs Spiller was suffering from a pituitary tumour.
 
The pituitary gland sits at the base of the brain and tumours that develop in this area are normally benign but swelling can put pressure on the optic nerve, causing sudden and substantial loss of vision.
 
Mrs Spiller underwent three hours of surgery to remove the tumour. Her eyesight returned to normal within 48 hours of her operation, but she remained in a high-dependency ward for four days and was then transferred to the neurology ward for a further four days.
 
Mrs Spiller now takes medication, and will do for the foreseeable future, to replace the hormones that were previously created by the pituitary gland, but her sight has been fully restored.
 
Mrs Spiller said: ‘It was extremely frightening to suddenly lose my vision and my first instinct was to go to my doctor.
 
‘Looking back, I feel very fortunate that Specsavers could see me so quickly and carry out such an in-depth test, I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t had the test that day. They made sure I was seen by a specialist straight away, which gave me the best chance of having my sight fully restored.’
 
Gary Owen, director at Specsavers in Pembroke Dock, said: ‘Peta’s experience is an important example of why we must respond quickly to any changes in our sight and visit an optician, who has specialist and advanced knowledge of eye care.
 
‘On this occasion, Peta’s tumour was of such a size that it affected her vision, which obviously triggered her to visit us but not all eye-related conditions will have such obvious warning signs until they are at advanced stages.
 
‘Thankfully, most of the customers we see at Specsavers in Pembroke Dock are healthy and well, but at times we do see people with more serious conditions, which only highlights the importance of looking after your eye health. If you notice a change in your vision, our advice is to get in touch with your local optician straight away.’
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Fire fighters respond to dangerous structure incident in Johnston

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AT 8:28am on Friday (Jan 24), a crew from Haverfordwest Fire Station responded to a dangerous structure incident on Vine Road, Johnston.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to address roof ridge tiles hanging precariously from a two-storey domestic property over a public pavement.

A full road closure was implemented while firefighters used a turntable ladder to safely remove the tiles and secure the area.

The pavement and road have since reopened. The crew left the scene at 9:28am.

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County councillor warns of dangerous and illegal E-scooter use in Haverfordwest

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A COUNTY councillor in Haverfordwest has raised concerns about the dangerous actions of individuals using e-scooters in the town centre. Cllr David Bryan says that complaints from residents about the misuse of these devices have become a daily occurrence, highlighting the risks posed to pedestrians and road users alike.

According to Cllr Bryan, riders—both youngsters and adults—have been observed engaging in reckless behaviour, such as riding against the flow of traffic on one-way streets like High Street and Quay Street, as well as using pedestrian areas and pavements on Bridge Street and Riverside. Such actions put vulnerable residents, particularly older people and those who are hard of hearing, at significant risk.

“E-scooters ridden in pedestrian areas, on pavements, and against the flow of road traffic are not only dangerous but are also illegal,” the councillor said. “The only lawful way to use an e-scooter is on private land with the landowner’s permission.”

The councillor also criticised retailers for failing to adequately inform customers about the legal restrictions surrounding e-scooters at the point of purchase. “The lack of responsibility by sellers is extremely poor,” they added.

Police crackdown on E-Scooter misuse

Dyfed-Powys Police are conducting an operation to tackle the issue. Efforts include educating riders through school visits and other outreach initiatives, as well as seizing and impounding e-scooters that are being ridden illegally in public spaces.

Residents are urged to report instances of illegal e-scooter use by calling 101, providing details such as location and time to assist police investigations. CCTV footage may then be used to identify offenders.

Cllr Bryan concluded: “By working together, we can address this anti-social behaviour and make our town centre safer for everyone.”

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Consultation launched on changes to Library Service

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has launched a consultation about proposed changes to the Library Service.

The public is asked for feedback on proposed changes to Milford Haven, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Libraries.

Following a Library Needs Assessment last summer which asked the public about their library needs and about ways to reduce running costs as part of Council-wide savings requirements, it became clear that respondents did not support closing libraries, replacing staff with 24/7 access technology or reducing the book fund.

More support was given to reducing costs by co-locating or downsizing libraries, working with volunteers or reducing opening hours.

Working on the basis of a potential 20% savings requirement for the Library Service, the following changes are proposed:

  • Milford Haven Library:  either to relocate the library to a smaller/cheaper premises or establish a Community Managed Partnership at the current library.

A Public Meeting will be held on Monday 3rd February 2025, starting at 6.30pm at Milford Haven Library to outline how the option to establish a Community Managed partnership would work. All are welcome to attend.

  • Pembroke Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by eight hours per week.
  • Pembroke Dock Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by seven hours per week. We are also looking at options to share the library space with a third-party to reduce premises costs.

To take part in the consultations, please follow the links below.

Customers often use more than one library, so please feel free to take part in any / all of the surveys.

Paper copies of the consultations are available at each of the three libraries.

The paper surveys will remain in place until 5pm, on 17th February 2025, when the consultations will close.

The online survey will also close at the same time.

Should the Library Service savings requirement go up or down from 20% following the Council budget meeting on February 20th, a fresh consultation in relation to any additional or different proposals for change will be made.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “The Library Needs Assessment last year has helped shape the current proposals in a way that avoids library closures and some of the other negative impacts that the respondents told us they were against.

“Given the difficult financial situation impacting the Council we have tried to create proposals that strike a balance that continues to providing a much loved library service while also providing savings.

“Please take the time to fill in the surveys and provide feedback on the proposals ahead of decisions being taken.

“For those who use Milford Haven Library please also take up the opportunity to attend the public meeting on Monday 3rd February 2025, at 6.30pm.”

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