A DYFED-POWYS POLICE officer has today been found not guilty of sexual assault by penetration following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

DC Sam Garside, based in the Ceredigion division, has been suspended from duties since July 2023 when it was reported that he had committed an offence while off duty in December 2021.

He denied the offence, and a trial has been held this week. A jury has today returned a not guilty verdict.

DCC Ifan Charles said: “This was a serious allegation made against an individual whose job was to safeguard the people of Dyfed-Powys, and as such swift action was taken when the report was made.

“DC Garside was immediately suspended from duties while a full and thorough investigation was carried out, and today’s verdict brings the criminal justice process to a close.

“It should be noted that the force will now consider whether any formal action needs to be taken from a police officer misconduct perspective in accordance with the statutory framework.

“While the outcome of the criminal proceedings will clearly be of direct relevance to this assessment, it is important to point out this is an entirely separate consideration.

“DC Garside will remain suspended from duty whilst this assessment is undertaken and any potential return to work will be dependent on the outcome of that assessment”

A LONG-PLANNED new hospital for west Wales faces significant delays due to funding challenges, Hywel Dda University Health Board’s chief executive, Phil Kloer, has revealed. Originally slated for completion by 2029, the project may now take at least a decade—or longer—to materialise.

The proposed hospital, intended to serve as part of a wider transformation of healthcare in the region, had two potential locations identified after extensive public consultation: St Clears and Whitland in Carmarthenshire. However, the rising cost of construction, driven by inflation, has forced the health board to revisit its strategy.

Rising costs and strategic reassessment

A report presented by the health board highlights that the estimated costs of the original strategy—outlined in a request for £1.3 billion from the Welsh Government—have surged significantly. The strategy aimed to overhaul healthcare services by developing community hubs, refreshing Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Hospital in Aberystwyth, repurposing Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest and Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen, and constructing the new hospital.

Acknowledging the impact of inflation and other factors, Mr. Kloer told a health board meeting: “It would be wrong to plough on with the same thinking.” He cited the effects of Covid-19, demographic shifts, and climate change as additional reasons to “refresh” the health board’s approach.

Phased implementation to manage costs

Executive Director of Strategy and Planning Lee Davies presented a paper indicating that while a phased implementation might increase the overall costs of the programme, it could make the project “more affordable for the Welsh Government” over time. The health board also acknowledged that reviewing the hospital’s location could be necessary, despite previous public consultations narrowing options to two shortlisted sites.

Financial struggles and politics compound challenges

The health board’s financial difficulties add another layer of complexity to the hospital’s future. At the same meeting, it was confirmed that the board is grappling with a £64 million deficit, despite delivering £32.4 million in savings.

The delay raises questions about the future configuration of health services in west Wales and underscores the financial and logistical hurdles facing ambitious infrastructure projects in the region.

The delays have reignited political tensions in June this year, with Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan (as she was then) laying blame on Conservative politicians for obstructing progress. During a Welsh Parliament session she accused the Conservatives of leading a campaign against a new hospital years ago, which she claimed delayed its construction.

Speaking in response to a question from Pembrokeshire’s Sam Kurtz MS about the ongoing delays, Baroness Morgan said: “If you [the Conservatives] hadn’t led a campaign against the West Wales hospital, it would’ve been up and running by now. The Conservatives must take their share of responsibility for the fact there is not already a West Wales hospital.”

Morgan’s remarks were met with sharp criticism from veteran campaigners and opposition politicians. Dr Chris Overton, a prominent campaigner for Withybush Hospital, called the comments “rubbish,” pointing out that the campaign to save services at Withybush Hospital drew support from across the political spectrum, including members of the Labour Party and non-affiliated community members.

“The reality,” Dr Overton said, “is that Labour has been in power in Wales for 25 years. They’ve had plenty of time to build this hospital. Instead, they’ve salami-sliced services at Withybush to the point where trust in their promises is completely eroded.”

At that time Plaid Cymru candidate Cris Tomos and Liberal Democrat candidate Alistair Cameron both called for greater clarity and transparency from the Welsh Government. Tomos emphasized the need for genuine consultation with communities, while Cameron pointed out that residents face uncertainty about accessing services during the decade-long delay.

Covid an issue

Executive Director of Strategy and Planning Lee Davies said: “The pandemic and subsequent programme delays have meant the timescale for delivery of the programme, in particular the new hospital network, is substantially longer than originally anticipated. It is now highly likely that the new hospital would not be operational for at least a decade.

“In accepting that a new hospital will not be operational in the near future, it follows that the key service changes unlocked through a new hospital will now need to be considered ahead of a new facility and within existing hospitals.”

“Work to support fragile services in the interim of a new hospital has already begun through a programme of work called the Clinical Services Plan.”

“Staff, including clinicians, working with stakeholders and patient representatives have reviewed issues and challenges faced, agreed minimum standards, and developed draft options for nine fragile services.

“The nine services are Critical Care, Emergency General Surgery, Stroke, Endoscopy, Radiology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics and Urology. They are services which need change and support to continue safely providing care in the medium term.”

Board agreed that the programme prepares for a public consultation to involve further staff and communities in this work. The scope and matters for a future consultation, including the options, will be prepared for the next Health Board meeting at the end of January 2025.

Lee Davies added: “In the absence of a new hospital in the south of our area to address challenges, we need to consider other options to bring together some of our services. We anticipate the emerging model, informed by work on the Clinical Services Plan, will seek to build on the strengths of each of the hospital sites in a way that builds complementary areas of expertise.”

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is inviting applications for a citizen to serve as a Lay Member on its Governance and Audit Committee. This vital role contributes to the oversight and accountability of the council’s operations.

Committee responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and scrutinising the council’s financial affairs.
• Assessing and improving risk management, internal control, performance assessment, and corporate governance.
• Making reports and recommendations to the council or relevant committees on the effectiveness of these systems.
• Additional statutory functions.

Candidate requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a strong understanding of the audit process and a commitment to values such as accountability, probity, openness, independence, fairness, and sound financial management within the public sector.

Ineligibility criteria:
Individuals cannot apply if they:

• Are currently a member or officer of any local authority.
• Have served as a member or officer of any local authority within the last 12 months.
• Are a spouse or civil partner of a member or officer of any local authority.

Appointment process
The successful candidate will be selected by a panel comprising an Independent Chair, three council members, and one community council member. An allowance will be provided for attendance at committee meetings.

Application details
Applications from all sections of the community are welcome. The closing date is 10 January 2025.

For a full role description and an application pack, contact Lydia Cheshire on 01437 775356 or via email at [email protected].