News

Welsh patients wait twice as long for hip operations

Published

12 years ago

February 20, 2014

A JOINT investigation by Simon Hart MP and the Shadow Welsh Health Minister has revealed that Welsh patients are waiting more than twice as long for hip replacements as patients in England.

Official government figures requested by Mr Hart and Darren Millar AM revealed that Welsh patients wait six months for treatment, whereas in England, patients can expect to be operated on within eleven weeks.

“More and more people are getting in touch with me who are desperate for these operations,” said Mr Hart. “One lady from Pembrokeshire who wrote to me had worked in the NHS for 40 years before retiring. She has been told she will have to wait between 12-18 months for a new hip, whereas family in the Midlands can expect to have the operation in just two to three months. She is only 57 and is in so much pain that she has decided to spend £9,000 of her NHS pension on having the treatment privately.

“I can see why people in Wales are so upset at receiving such second-class treatment.”

Mr Hart teamed up with Darren Millar, Clwyd West AM and Welsh Shadow Health Minister to ask the same questions of the Welsh and Westminster governments.

In a written reply, Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford said that the average waiting time for a hip replacement in 2012 in Wales was 169 days, or just over six months.

Mr Hart was told by Jane Ellison MP, Under Secretary of State for Public Health, that the average waiting time for hip replacement in England in 2012 was 78 days.

“What is also of great concern is that waiting times are only going to get even longer because Hywel Dda Health Board has cut the number of orthopaedic operations it carries out this winter by 50%,” added Mr Hart.

“We are hearing first-hand from constituents that we are getting a second-class health service in Wales and now we have the figures to prove it.”

Darren Millar AM said: “There can be no excuses for the wide disparity in performance between England and Wales – Welsh patients deserve to have timely access to treatment such as hip operations and delays can cause misery to them and their loved ones.

“The Welsh Labour Government must get a grip of this situation and ensure that the NHS has the resources it needs to provide the high quality care which the public rightly demand.”

Charity

Donation gives Stackpole Quay book trailer fresh new look

Published

5 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY donation will help spruce up a popular summer book trailer at Stackpole Quay after members of the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association handed over more than one thousand pounds to support the project.

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association presented a cheque for £1,095 to the National Trust at Stackpole Quay this weekend.

The cheque was formally given to Rhian Sula, General Manager for the charity’s Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay portfolio, by association chairman Jane Mason during a National Trust information coffee morning at the Stackpole Centre.

The money will be used to refurbish the well-known second-hand book trailer which operates at the quay during the summer months. The trailer allows visitors to pick up a holiday read while making a donation, with proceeds supporting local conservation and access projects.

Last year alone, the trailer raised more than £1,500.

Jane Mason said the association had originally funded the purchase of the trailer several years ago and wanted to build on its success.

“Our new donation from members’ support will improve the trailer with updated imagery and design,” she said. “This will help the National Trust present a more professional, welcoming and brand-aligned offer, and potentially grow donation income.”

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association runs a programme of talks, visits and guided walks in support of local Trust properties. Membership of the National Trust is not required to join the association. Annual membership costs £5 for individuals and £8 for couples.

At its AGM in November, the group announced £3,000 in additional donations for local projects, including replacement willow hurdles at Tudor Merchants House, footpath improvements at Little Milford, and a new bench, tree planting and path works at Southwood.

With the latest contribution towards the book trailer, the association’s donations for the current financial year now exceed £4,000.

Photo caption:

Jane Mason presents a cheque for £1,095 to Rhian Sula at Stackpole Centre (Pic: supplied).

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

6 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

6 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.