News

Caring for unwell children over Christmas

Published

8 years ago

December 15, 2016

withybush HYWEL Dda University Health Board is re-issuing advice to Pembrokeshire parents on how they can care, or access healthcare services, for unwell children in the lead up to the Christmas Bank Holidays.

The vast majority of unwell children are cared for at home by their families when they are unwell, and general advice on how to manage common childhood illness can be found on the NHS Direct website or by calling 0845 46 47.

In the majority of cases, GPs and hospital Emergency Departments also care for children without needing to admit them into hospital.

GP out-of-hours services are available in Pembrokeshire overnight, on weekends and Bank Holidays for urgent care and are accessed by calling your usual GP telephone number. Withybush Hospital’s Emergency and Urgent Care Unit also provides 24 hour urgent care for children with minor injuries.

Clinical lead for Child and Adolecent Health Dr Simon Fountain-Polley explained: “Families generally look after their own children for the majority of acute illnesses. If they need advice they can access NHS Direct, community pharmacists, or their local GP.Most children, thankfully, don’t need to see the hospital paediatric team for acute illnesses. For that relatively small proportion of children who do, their GP can refer them into hospital services.”

For children who need paediatric input, there is a Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit at Withybush Hospital 10am-6pm and overnight care is provided from Glangwili Hospital, in Carmarthen. There is a dedicated ambulance vehicle for women and children’s transfers between Withybush and Glangwili and a parent or carer can remain with their child on transfer and on the wards.

The health board has issued a question and answer guide that may help parents with any questions they may have.

It follows temporary changes to PACU services at Withybush Hospital that were made recently due to a reduction in the availability of paediatric consultants. This has meant the opening hours have temporarily been reduced from the usual 10am-10pm daily to 10am-6pm daily. There will be one paediatric rota for the south of the Health Board covering Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. This means if there is a paediatric emergency out-of-hours at Withybush Hospital, the on-call paediatric consultants in Glanwgili Hospital offer remote advice to emergency and anaesthetic staff at Withybush Hospital.

What is PACU?

PACU stands for Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit. About 75% of those children who are referred into Withybush Hospital PACU, are treated there and do not need to be transferred to another hospital. It provides care for children with sudden onset of pain, high temperatures, sickness, infections, or requirements for dressings, blood tests, x-rays or scans.

What about children who need to stay in hospital overnight?

Any Pembrokeshire children who need an overnight, inpatient stay in hospital, are transferred to Glangwili Hospital, in Carmarthen. There is a dedicated ambulance vehicle for women and children’s transfers between Withybush and Glangwili and a parent or carer can remain with their child on transfer and on the wards.

What about sick children who need assessment after 6pm?

Children who require paediatric assessment after 6pm are referred or transferred by ambulance to the PACU at Glangwili Hospital.

What about hospital appointments for children?

Scheduled care including procedures, tests and outpatient clinics continue at Withybush Hospital during the daytime.

What do you do if your child is unexpectedly sick at night?

Parents should continue to access care for their children as they do now.

If your child is unwell, you can do a number of things:

Call NHS Direct Wales – 0845 46 47 – they can advise you if you are unsure what to do, as well as provide health information on a wide range of conditions, treatment and local health services
Use your community pharmacy if open
Make an appointment with your GP as usual, including out-of- hours GP services, which are contacted through your normal GP telephone number
For a paediatric minor injury, go to Withybush Emergency and Urgent Care Centre (EUCC) 24 hours a day
In an emergency, if your child is very sick, you should dial 999 for assistance. Children who present at Withybush Hospital out-of-hours will usually be transferred to Glanwgili Hospital for paediatric input. In the exceptional circumstance where emergency resuscitation is required, emergency and anaesthetic staff will resuscitate, stabilise, and arrange transfer onto another hospital.

Health

Hywel Dda urges responsible use of ‘under pressure’ A&E service

Published

6 mins ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA University Health Board is appealing to the public to carefully consider how they access healthcare services as local A&E units, including Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, face increasing pressure.

A spokesperson said: “Our services are under pressure. Please help us to help you by choosing how you access our services carefully, ensuring that emergency departments (A&E) are reserved for urgent or life-threatening care needs.”

Unwell and unsure what to do?

If you’re unwell and uncertain about the best course of action, the Health Board recommends visiting the online symptom checker or calling NHS 111 Wales for advice.

When to attend A&E

Emergency Departments should only be used for life-threatening illnesses or serious injuries, such as:

Severe breathing difficulties
Severe pain or bleeding
Chest pain or suspected stroke
Serious trauma injuries (e.g., from a car crash)

Minor Injuries Units (MIUs)

For less serious injuries, MIUs offer treatment for:

Minor wounds, burns, or scalds
Insect bites
Minor limb, head, or face injuries
Foreign bodies in the nose or ear

MIUs are available at Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, Tenby Hospital, and main acute hospitals. Visit the Minor Injuries Unit page for opening hours and directions.

Urgent care, not an emergency

For urgent health needs that cannot wait but are not emergencies, call NHS 111 Wales for advice or access to out-of-hours GP services. This free service is available 24/7.

Mental health support

If you need urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 Wales and select option 2 to speak with a mental health professional. The number is free to call, even from a mobile with no credit.

Community care options

Community pharmacies offer walk-in services for common ailments such as sore throats, hay fever, and conjunctivitis. A full list of ailments and participating pharmacies can be found on the Common Ailments Service pages.

Helping reduce hospital stays

The Health Board emphasizes the importance of reducing hospital stays to ensure acute care is available for those who need it most. If a loved one is ready to be discharged, families are urged to collect them promptly to free up beds for other patients.

For more information on the inpatient experience, visit the Inpatient Information pages.

A thank you from the NHS

The Health Board expressed gratitude for the public’s cooperation: “Your support not only helps you and your loved ones but also eases the strain on NHS and social care services.”

For further updates, contact:
Hywel Dda University Health Board Media Office
Email: [email protected]

News

Green hydrogen plant approved for Pembrokeshire

Published

16 mins ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE has taken a monumental step forward in the green energy revolution with the approval of a major green hydrogen plant.

RWE, Wales’s largest power producer, confirmed this week (Dec 17) that its Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant has been granted full planning permission by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The proposed facility will feature a 100MWe electrolyser capable of producing around two tonnes of hydrogen every hour. This green hydrogen is set to play a key role in decarbonising industrial activities across South Wales.

A local push for net zero

The project is a cornerstone of RWE’s Pembroke Net Zero Centre, which aims to harness Pembrokeshire’s rich energy heritage to drive forward innovation in renewable energy. Once operational, the plant is expected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 93,000 tonnes each year — the equivalent of taking 18,600 cars off the road annually.

The investment will also safeguard existing jobs at the Pembroke Power Station, inject significant economic benefits into the area, and create new opportunities during both the construction and operational phases.

Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer for Hydrogen at RWE Generation, praised the local authority for its collaborative approach:
“It is fantastic to have reached this milestone. Pembrokeshire is firmly positioning itself as a leader in the green hydrogen revolution, driving the energy transition and innovation in renewable technology.”

Securing Pembrokeshire’s energy future

The Pembroke Green Hydrogen project underscores RWE’s integral role in the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC), a coalition working to decarbonise industries across the region. SWIC has been pivotal in securing development funding and shaping the plant’s roadmap to success.

Local MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Henry Tufnell, hailed the approval as a major breakthrough:
“This project highlights Pembrokeshire’s ability to lead in renewable energy technologies, delivering solutions that not only cut emissions but also ensure a sustainable energy future. The Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant is a game-changer for our region and our nation.”

Leading the charge in clean energy

RWE’s commitment to renewable energy is unmatched, with a diverse portfolio spanning onshore and offshore wind, hydro, and biomass. The Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant will cement Pembrokeshire’s reputation as a hub of clean energy innovation, contributing significantly to the UK Government’s ambitious target of 10GW of green hydrogen capacity by 2030.

With planning approval secured, the focus now shifts to finalising government funding and investment decisions. The Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant is poised to be a defining feature of Pembrokeshire’s energy landscape and a vital step toward achieving net-zero emissions.

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

23 mins ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.