News

Pembrokeshire patients return to Withybush following boundaries change

Published

8 years ago

August 23, 2016

withybush (2) THE NUMBER of medical beds at Withybush Hospital will return to usual in September as hospital county boundaries are reinstated by Hywel Dda University Board (UHB).

From Thursday, September 1, the county boundary for Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, will return to that in place prior to August 2015 when temporary changes began.

This will mean that patients from Tenby, Saundersfoot, Kilgetty and Narberth, requiring emergency or urgent medical care, will be admitted to Withybush Hospital through GP referrals or ambulance admissions, rather than Glanwgili Hospital, Carmarthen.

The temporary change had been necessary to align the medical capacity at the hospital with the number of medical staff available after the Wales Deanery were unable to recruit core medical trainees to the Haverfordwest hospital as usual in August 2015.

Chief Executive Steve Moore explained: “We are pleased to be able to reinstate the boundaries as we have managed to stabilise medical staffing, with recruitment of a number of locums. We are grateful to both our staff and our patients for their support during this period, although I recognise and regret that it did take us longer than expected to get to this more stable position.”

Withybush Hospital will now return to having 95 medical beds, 17 adult clinical decision beds for general medicine and a total of 76 surgical beds. There will be capacity to open a maximum of nine additional ‘surge’ beds. As was the case prior to August 2015, there may be the requirement to divert Pembrokeshire patients to other hospitals during periods of high demand.

Chair of Hywel Dda Community Health Council John Philips said: “We’re pleased to hear that the boundaries will revert to their normal status. Our initial concerns were that the patient experience would be poorer through these changes and so we visited both Withybush and Glangwili hospitals a number of times to talk to patients and see for ourselves what the impact was. Thankfully people remained positive about their hospital experiences, which was reassuring but we urged the health board to do all it could to return normal service to provide care as close to home as possible. Whilst it has taken longer than we wanted, today’s news is positive. Looking ahead however, it is crucial that the health board ensures that staffing; the foundation of good health care, is sustainable.”

Clinical Director for Withybush Hospital Dr Iain Robertson-Steel said: “We are putting worldwide efforts into recruiting medical and nursing staff for Withybush Hospital and indeed across the health board, so that we can maintain safe care across our services. It remains a challenge for us, and indeed the NHS across the UK.”

The UHB is liaising with GP colleagues and those in the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust so that everyone involved in the patient pathway is clear on the referrals and reinstatement of the county boundaries.”

Options to further increase bed capacity at Withybush Hospital are currently being considered and the situation is being kept under close review.

Patients on the Carmarthenshire/Pembrokeshire boundary are being reminded that they do not need to take any different action to accessing care than what they have been doing. Throughout this period, patients have still been able to walk into any Emergency Department as they usually do, with only GP referrals and ambulance admissions affected.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

16 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

17 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.

A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.