News

Withybush takes part in emergency exercise

Published

10 years ago

August 19, 2016

Emergency exercise: Testing skills under pressure

MEDICS based at Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest have taken part in a multi-agency simulation aimed at testing their clinical skills under pressure.

Dr Antony Mathew, an Emergency Department (ED) consultant at Withybush, led a team of ED and anaesthesia doctors and nurses during the exercise, which saw them working alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust and the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS Cymru) critical care team.

The challenging scenario tested their skills in dealing with a ‘patient’ with a life-threatening head injury, who required life-saving resuscitation and time-critical transfer to University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, for neurosurgical care.

The aim of the exercise – which took place within the Withybush Clinical Skills Lab – was to reinforce EMRTS Cymru’s aim of developing an innovative healthcare culture, leading to more efficient teamwork, and improved clinical care for the most critically ill and injured patients across Wales.

Dr Mathew said: “It’s really important for us to be able to take part in exercises like these which help to improve the way we work within various hospital teams, and with retrieval services like EMRTS. It also helps us to understand the capabilities of EMRTS as well.”

With support from Medical Illustrator Steve Atherton, the training was recorded to allow medics to review real-time clinical handovers, resuscitation and retrieval processes using video playback. A debriefing session was subsequently led by Dr James Chinery, from EMRTS Cymru, in the emergency department.

Dr Chinery said: “As well as the emergency medical services we provide, EMRTS Cymru also aims to play an important role in supporting education and training in critical care across Wales.

“Working on a ‘live’ simulation with colleagues from Withybush and the Welsh Ambulance Service offered valuable realistic training which will enhance the skills and knowledge of everyone who took part. This will undoubtedly benefit the people of Wales and the quality of treatment that they receive.”

This is the third Insitu-Sim engagement event between EMRTS Cymru, WAST and NHS Wales. In the coming months, visits to Bronglais, Bangor, Rhyl and Bridgend are being actively planned.

Launched in April 2015, EMRTS Cymru provides pioneering emergency medical care across Wales. This includes pre-hospital critical care and time-critical transfers for all age groups. The Service is made up of consultants and CCPs (paramedics and nurses) who are able to deliver innovative emergency treatments previously not available outside of a hospital environment. The EMRTS medics travel on board the Wales Air Ambulance Charity helicopters and in a fleet of Rapid Response Vehicles which enable them to reach the scene of a medical emergency as fast as possible.

Dorian James, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Locality Manager for Pembrokeshire, said: “While the exercise might look and feel very dramatic, the reality is that our crews and fellow clinicians encounter scenarios like this every day, all over Wales.

“These exercises are designed to strengthen inter-agency working and enable colleagues to deliver the best possible care to those who are unfortunate enough to need it. It also gives each agency a snapshot of one other’s capabilities and more importantly gives us all the chance to work together in a real environment.”

Entertainment

Free screening to focus on climate and nature crisis

Published

1 minute ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUBLIC INVITED TO LETTERSTON EVENT HOSTED BY TRANSITION BRO GWAUN

A FREE public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing is to be held at Letterston Memorial Hall on Friday, May 29.

The event, hosted by Transition Bro Gwaun, starts at 7:00pm, with doors opening at 6:30pm.

The screening will be introduced by Dr Sarah Beynon, of The Bug Farm, St Davids, and will be followed by a structured discussion on climate and nature risks and what they may mean for local communities.

The 50-minute film has been adapted from the National Emergency Briefing, held at Westminster Central Hall in November 2025, where more than 1,200 MPs, peers, business leaders, cultural figures, faith representatives, sports figures and media leaders gathered to hear from experts on climate and nature risks.

The briefing, introduced by Chris Packham CBE, examines the potential impact of climate and nature breakdown on food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security.

Dr Beynon said: “We are in a biodiversity and climate emergency. We have destroyed over half of our wildlife. In my late father’s lifetime, we have destroyed 97% of our wildflower meadows.

“Over 80% of our habitats are in poor condition. Over 60% of our rivers are not in good health and one in five species is at risk of extinction.

“How do we want to leave this planet for future generations? Then ask yourself if you are prepared to act. If you are, the first step is to understand the issues facing us, and this film is a vital part of understanding the situation we are in so we can all step up and do something together.”

The People’s Emergency Briefing was launched nationwide in April and is now being screened in communities across the UK. Organisers say more than 300 showings have already taken place, with around 1,000 scheduled over the summer.

Further local screenings are also planned for Solva and Cardigan in June.

Transition Bro Gwaun said the Letterston event comes at a time when communities in Pembrokeshire are facing increasing pressure from severe weather, flooding, dry spells and wildfire risks.

November and December 2025 saw flooding affect many areas, with the Met Office confirming rainfall was more than 50% above average during that period.

The group said the event was not intended to be “doom and gloom”, but would also focus on practical and hopeful responses.

Henry Tufnell MP, Pembrokeshire county councillors and town and community councillors have been invited to attend.

Tom Latter, trustee at Transition Bro Gwaun, said: “TBG welcomes the opportunity to host one of many Emergency Briefing events around the UK, addressing the climate and nature crisis.

“Co-ordinated restorative action is urgently needed, and understanding of the urgency for honest commitment to resilience planning from all branches of society.”

Free tickets are available through Transition Bro Gwaun, and refreshments will be provided.

Climate

Free screening to focus on climate and nature crisis

Published

4 minutes ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair