News

Volunteers wanted to scrutinise police complaints

Published

11 years ago

February 20, 2014

VOLUNTEERS with an inquiring mind and analytical skills are being sought to scrutinise the Dyfed-Powys Police complaints process.

The successful candidates will form a panel being created to examine public complaint files and to recommend improvements to the force’s system.

Dyfed-Powys Police receive around 700 complaints every year on matters such as neglect of duty, oppressive conduct, incivility and lack of fairness.

From October to December 2013, 203 complaints were received of which 25 were in Pembrokeshire and 46 at force HQ. The Residents’ Panel, being created by Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, will consider a number of files four times a year.

Mr Salmon said: “The people of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys must trust the police; one way of building that trust is for the public themselves to scrutinise the complaints process.

“The volunteers I seek will be enthusiastic about improving policing. They will have communication skills, will be able to interpret detailed information and will have experience of reviewing or developing services, and evaluating performance. They will be eager to challenge and make balanced judgements.”

Panel members will be over 18, preferably living in Dyfed-Powys and must not be, or have been, on a police force payroll. After training, they will review randomly selected police complaint files and will consider whether, in their view, complaints were dealt with fairly. The panel’s brief may be broadened in future.

Panel meetings to discuss issues raised will take place at a time and place convenient to the volunteers. This could include evening or weekend meetings. Expenses will be paid.

The panel represents an increase in police transparency. More in-depth scrutiny is now applied to the Dyfed-Powys Professional Standards Department (PSD) which handles complaints.

Superintendent Huw Meredith, head of Dyfed-Powys PSD, said: “Dyfed-Powys Police aims to provide a first class service to its communities and expects police officers and staff to behave on and off duty in accordance with the national Standards of Professional Behaviour.

“Unfortunately, there are occasions where the service provided falls below this standard and leads to dissatisfaction and complaints.

“In this event, we aim to establish what went wrong, try to put it right and – where appropriate – offer an apology.

“The Residents” Panel will provide the community an opportunity to scrutinize the complaints process and determine if these complaints have been dealt with fairly.”

Residents’ Panel Info: http://bit.ly/1aooLy6, 01267 226440, [email protected].

Health

GPs across Wales trained to spot endometriosis earlier

Published

1 hour ago

June 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

GPs across Wales are being trained to better recognise the symptoms of endometriosis as part of a national initiative to improve women’s health and reduce diagnostic delays.

Endometriosis affects one in 10 women in Wales and is a key priority in the Welsh Government’s Women’s Health Plan, launched six months ago. The condition—often painful and difficult to diagnose—can significantly impact women’s daily lives, careers, and relationships.

The new expert-led training programme, delivered through Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), has already led to a 43% increase in participating GPs’ knowledge of endometriosis. It has also improved their confidence in discussing symptoms and treatment options with patients.

Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, said: “Women have told us they feel unheard and their symptoms dismissed. This training helps ensure women’s voices are at the heart of their healthcare, empowering GPs to provide better, more responsive care.

Endometriosis can have a devastating effect on women’s lives. Through our Women’s Health Plan, we are committed to delivering real improvements and tackling inequality.”

Dr Mirka Slavska, obstetrics and gynaecology consultant at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, who led the training, said:

“We were pleased to deliver training that covered differential diagnosis, referral pathways, and the latest diagnostic and treatment options.

We also introduced the Endometriosis Cymru symptom reporting tool. The positive feedback we received underlines the importance of practical, up-to-date training for frontline healthcare professionals.”

Endometriosis is one of eight priority areas identified in the Women’s Health Plan, which aims to improve care and support for women and girls across Wales. Since the plan’s launch in December 2024, key milestones include:

Early-stage work to develop a women’s health hub in every health board area by March 2026

Establishment of Wales’ first Women’s Health Research Centre, funded by Health and Care Research Wales

A dedicated research call focused on communication in women’s healthcare

At the Everywoman Festival in Cardiff today (Saturday, 7 June), Dr Helen Munro, Clinical Lead for Women’s Health in Wales, provided an update on the development of the new health hubs:

“Meeting women’s needs throughout their lives will be at the core of our new women’s health hubs. These hubs will bring together professionals and services in community settings, with local population needs and existing infrastructure shaping their design and delivery.”

News

Coastguard rescues casualty near Goodwick pier

Published

1 hour ago

June 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HM COASTGUARD was called to assist police in locating a casualty near the Ocean Lab in Goodwick on Saturday evening (June 14).

The Fishguard Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked at around 8:30pm to support officers from Dyfed-Powys Police, including units from Haverfordwest, Fishguard, and St Davids.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard Fishguard said: “The team was tasked to assist Dyfed-Powys Police with locating a casualty in the area of Ocean Lab, Goodwick. A quick search was carried out and the casualty was located nearby.

“Once found, the casualty was assisted and brought back into the care of the police. With the individual safe, the team was stood down.”

The nature of the incident has not been confirmed.

News

Pembrokeshire Council invites public to have their say on 20mph zones

Published

7 hours ago

June 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COU TY COUNCIL is calling on residents to share their views on potential changes to 20mph zones across the county.

The consultation, launched at the start of May, invites the public to give feedback on whether any roads should be removed from the new 20mph default speed limit or whether additional areas should be considered for the lower limit.

As part of a broader review of the Welsh Government’s controversial rollout of 20mph default limits, councils have been given the opportunity to identify roads that may be better suited to a 30mph limit instead.

Residents who wish to contribute their opinions can do so by emailing: [email protected]

The move follows widespread concern from motorists, businesses and community leaders who have argued that the blanket approach does not always reflect the realities of local road use in rural counties like Pembrokeshire.

The council has not yet confirmed which roads might be considered for changes, but feedback from this public engagement will help shape recommendations to be submitted for review.

The Herald understands that responses will be collected throughout June, with the findings passed on to the Welsh Government in due course.