News

Walk-in service planned for Tenby

Published

8 years ago

August 16, 2016

PLANS will be developed to introduce a walk-in health service for residents and tourists at Tenby Cottage Resource Centre, Hywel Dda University Health Board has confirmed.

A full specification will need to be agreed, but the service is likely to be able to offer convenient access to a range of treatments for minor illnesses and injuries.

The service will be a joint collaboration between the Health Board and Tenby GP Practice. The Health Board piloted walk-in services led by nurses at Tenby Cottage Resource Centre during the Easter break, and Tenby GP Practice has also been providing a nurse practitioner -led service for patients.

Advanced nurse practitioners are highly skilled health care professionals with expert knowledge and who can offer advanced care and treatment directly to patients, or refer to other services if necessary.

At the Health Board meeting, Interim Director for Commissioning, Primary Care, Therapies and Health Sciences, Jill Paterson, explained: “Both the practice and the Health Board have experience of this type of model and can see the merits of accessible provision for the local community, which also lessens the dependence on GP-led services and Emergency Departments.”

During the 10-day Easter pilot, which was open 10am-6pm, a total of 180 patients were seen. Treatment and care was provided to 142 of those patients within the service itself, 31 were referred for follow-up with their own GP or practice nurse, three needed further investigations, two patients did not wait to be seen and two were referred to be seen in secondary care (hospital based services). Most of those attending were local residents, with a smaller number of visitors.

The most common presentations were for infections and inflammation or for pain management, all of which are well within the capability of nurse practitioners.

During the pilot, the ongoing community pharmacy Triage and Treat scheme, which offers a minor injury assessment and treatment service from participating pharmacies, was also running.

Ms Paterson said: “We have been working very closely with the local community and key stakeholders, via South East Pembrokeshire Community and Primary Care Service Development Group which includes members from South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network, Hywel Dda Community Health Council, social services, the third sector, GP Practice staff and the health board.

“Following the pilot, an option appraisal workshop was held with the group to consider six options for future development and investment in this area. It was unanimously agreed that the preferred option was development of a business case to support the establishment of a walk-in service at Tenby Cottage Resource Centre in collaboration with Tenby GP Practice.”

“We will now work hard to build that case, continuing our work with the community and GP practice, and looking at what the service needs in terms of provision, resourcing, staffing and other support.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

14 mins ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

8 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

8 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.