News

Welsh Ambulance Service scoops double award

Published

9 years ago

September 30, 2016

Presented with awards: Staff from the Welsh Ambulance Service and Cardiff and Vale UHB

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE ha s won two NHS Wales Awards in partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

The first award, Working Seamlessly Across Organisations, came as a result of a successful collaboration with health, third sector and local authority agencies to reduce the demand on emergency services. The project also landed the Outstanding Contribution to Prudent Health Care Award, presented by Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton.

In an effort to improve prudent healthcare, the ongoing project focuses on frequent 999 callers and those who regularly attend unscheduled care services, including the Emergency Unit at University Hospital of Wales and the GP Out of Hours Service.

Data is then shared and collated on those who use the services involved more than five times in any given month, allowing the organisations to establish any unmet care that such patients may require. This could include increased care packages or community support via third sector and voluntary agencies.

Robin Petterson, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Frequent Caller Lead, said: “It has been the culmination of three years of hard work and collaboration with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and other important agencies involved with this project in seeking patient-centred solutions.

“It’s is a wonderful achievement that this work has also been acknowledged for its outstanding contribution to prudent healthcare.

“This work not only sought patient-centred solutions, but we can now see real evidence in the data that suggests that more ambulance time is being made available through this collaborative work for our other service users.”

Frequent Attendees Case Load Manager at Cardiff and Vale UHB, Anna Sussex, said: “We are incredibly proud that this project has won an NHS Wales Award.

“It is a tribute to the enthusiasm and dedication of partners across health, third sector, local authority and other agencies that we have been able to reduce demand on emergency services whilst supporting extremely vulnerable patients.”

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport, Vaughan Gething, who attended the ceremony in Cardiff, said: “The winners and nominees have made changes to improve the services they provide – but I know that across the NHS, other organisations will be taking notice of what they have achieved and seeing how they too can make improvements.

“These awards allow us to celebrate fantastic care and dedicated NHS staff and their partners, making a real difference for citizens across Wales every day. I want to congratulate everyone who was nominated for their commitment to improving quality in our NHS.”

Organised by NHS Wales’ national improvement service, 1,000 Lives Improvement, the NHS Wales Awards were first established in 2008 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NHS and, in doing so, promote good practice across Wales.

A total of 167 entries were received from various organisations, revealing the high standard of innovative and diverse work that is transforming patient care.

To read more about all of the winners, visit www.nhswalesawards. wales.nhs.uk.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

11 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.