News

Red line on hospital safety crossed

Published

12 years ago

February 20, 2014

PLAID CYMRU Preseli candidate John Osmond has called on Joyce Watson, Labour AM for Mid and West Wales, to use her vote in the National Assembly to halt the downgrading of Withybush Hospital.

“The Labour government in Cardiff has no majority for moving consultant-led maternity services from Withybush to Glangwili in Carmarthen, as announced by Health Minister Mark Drakeford last week,” John Osmond said.

“In a vote on the issue before Christmas the Assembly divided 28 to 28 – with all the Opposition parties voting against. However, the motion fell on the casting vote of the Presiding Officer who is obliged to support the status quo in a tied vote.

“On that occasion Joyce Watson sided with her Labour colleagues. But that was before the announcement was made. Now she should put her loyalty to the people of Pembrokeshire before that to her party whip.

“Joyce Watson, who lives in Haverfordwest, must know of the dismay and anger of people in the county at this decision which, if it goes ahead, will inevitably mean that sooner or later pregnant women and/or their babies will die inside ambulances on their way from Pembrokeshire to Carmarthen.

“In the debate on Withybush in the Senedd on November 27, Joyce Watson said: “What is clear to me is that Withybush must retain a service that can stabilise mother and baby when complications occur. That is a red line and a promise that has been given in the Chamber.”

“Well, that red line has now been crossed,” John Osmond continued. “It is clear that the intention is, when complications occur, for mothers and their babies to be taken by ambulance to Carmarthen.

“In the debate in the Senedd that followed the Minister’s announcement on Withybush on January 21, Joyce said: ‘Even with all the very best planning in the world, you can never anticipate the emergency that happens. That was the situation that I found myself in when I was having my son. Within 15 minutes, he was born. Had he not been born, I doubt very much that he would be here now for me to tell you that story. I also doubt very much that I would have been here looking as healthy as I do.’

John Osmond added: “Consultants at Withybush tell me that the maximum safe transfer time for a pregnant woman who experiences complications in childbirth is 20 minutes.

“When he made his announcement the Health Minister tried to address our concerns about the problems of distance and travelling times in Pembrokeshire. He said he wanted to see a ‘robust’ emergency transport service put in place before consultant-led emergency provision was removed from Withybush.

“All these issues have been placed in stark focus by the case of Mrs Kate Sutton, of Johnston, whose life was saved at Withybush hospital in the middle of the night a few weeks ago.

“I can tell the Chamber that detailed work will now go on, involving my officials and local health boards, to accelerate the introduction of a new round-the-clock emergency retrieval service for Wales, deploying specialised medical staff. The planning for that service will include the capacity to transfer sick babies and mothers in labour.”

Joyce’s reply

Asked for her response to this story, Joyce Watson said: “The health minister has confirmed that, while the midwife-led unit is being set up at Withybush, there will be consultant obstetric cover to support midwives. So, should they come across cases that they do not have the confidence or experience to deal with, there will be a consultant available to them. It is critical that all services in place after this initial establishing phase are built around the safety of mothers and babies.

“Hywel Dda has established an over-arching Programme Board to take forward the neonatal, obstetrics and gynaecology model, including ‘safety net’ requirements. I will continue to scrutinise the implementation of these services – including hospital transport – to ensure that the changes are in the best interests of patients in Pembrokeshire and throughout the Hywel Dda area. To that end, I was pleased that the First Minister confirmed once again last week that the future of Withybush hospital as a district general hospital is not under any threat whatsoever.”

Charity

Donation gives Stackpole Quay book trailer fresh new look

Published

9 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

9 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

10 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.