News

Withybush Hospital: Health board plans for paediatric service cuts

Published

8 years ago

November 29, 2017

HYWEL DDA heath board’s announcement that its plans to transform clinical services are ‘to move to the next stage’ did not include the detail of what those plans include.

At a public board meeting held in Llandeilo on November 21, Board members approved the move to phase two (the Design Phase) of the Transforming Clinical Services (TCS) programme having considered the independent analysis report (undertaken by Opinion Research Services) on the TCS listening and engagement exercise (the Discover Phase), which concluded in September 2017.

The transformation consultation, in which the Board sought to seek public responses on proposed cuts to local services, was followed by an independent clinical review by Dr Alex Mayor.

The content of that review, while obliquely referred to in a Board press release, is not detailed.

The Herald examined the report before the board, on which it intends to engage in ‘a comprehensive programme of communication and engagement activities with [the] local population across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire next year’.

The Board has agreed to take these forward and to incorporate further planning of Women and Children’s services under the umbrella of our ‘Transforming Clinical Services’ programme.

The Board expresses the hope that the further engagement ‘will build on the success, and learning points, from the TCS listening and engagement exercise ‘the Big Conversation’.’

However the Board’s press release fails to mention what the recommendations actually are upon which it has set up a task and finish group ahead of public consultation on the decisions it intends to make.

The recommendations include the following:

No return to twelve hour care provision at Withybush for the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU)– ‘whilst recruitment attempts to all vacant posts should continue, transition to a consultant ‘delivered’ PACU model Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm by a single, integrated team of acute paediatric consultants should be explored and confirmed at the earliest opportunity’;
Consultant-led PACU services to be concentrated at Glangwili at weekends;
Acutely unwell children should be admitted directly to Glangwili;
Glangwili to be the centre for the whole board area for children and young people;
Elective paediatric surgery should return to Withybush;
Emergency paediatric surgery at Withybush should end.

Those recommendations are supported by the independent expert engaged by the Board confirming that many of the fears expressed by campaigners during the long – and ultimately unsuccessful – fight to retain core services at Withybush have come to fruition.

The papers considered by the Board state: ‘Dr Mayor has advised that, although well intentioned, the UHB’s desire to provide as much acute care as possible at WGH since 2014 without a comprehensive supporting infrastructure of 24/7 paediatric, anaesthetic and A&E skills has effectively weakened the overall acute paediatric service as limited staff resources have been stretched and care pathways have become confused’.

Dr Phil Kloer, the Board’s Medical Director, said: “It is important to reassure people that, at the present time, the operating hours of the PACU at Withybush Hospital will continue to be from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week.

“We are making significant efforts to progress the development of a safe and sustainable longer term staffing model for the unit as part of the wider Transforming Clinical Services design phase and formal consultation in 2018 and we will provide further updates as this work develops.”

Community

Sunshine, sparkle and spirit at Neyland Carnival 2025

Published

4 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Crowds pack the streets for a colourful celebration of community and creativity

NEYLAND was transformed into a vibrant sea of colour and celebration today (Saturday, July 12) as the town’s annual carnival returned in spectacular style — and under glorious blue skies.

Starting at 1:00pm, the carnival procession wound its way through packed streets, with floats and walkers bursting with imagination, humour and local pride. Themed entries included everything from 1940s nostalgia and reggae celebrations to cartoon characters, The Thunderbirds car and even a military-style jeep escorting Winston Churchill himself (or at least a very convincing impersonator).

Youngsters aboard the Neyland Sports float cheered and waved to onlookers, while others handed out sweets, high-fived the crowd, and danced to booming music.

There were fancy dress costumes galore — from tiny tots in prams disguised as pirate ships to a full marching troupe of blue-suited cartoon postmen. Spectators were treated to a joyous mix of confetti, retro tunes and community cheer as each entry passed by.

After the parade, the fun continued on the Athletic Club field, with fairground rides, food stalls and live entertainment carrying the spirit of the carnival into the late afternoon.

One local resident said: “It’s the best carnival we’ve had in years. The effort people have put in is amazing — and the weather’s just made it perfect.”

Organisers were quick to thank all volunteers, stewards, sponsors, and parade participants for making the day such a roaring success.

The Herald will be sharing a full photo gallery online — so keep an eye out and tag your friends!

News

Third robbery in two months at Milford Haven shop

Published

5 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Two women arrested after latest armed raid at Pill Corner Store

POLICE are investigating a third robbery in just two months at Pill Corner Store in Milford Haven, following an armed incident on Friday evening (July 11).

At around 5:50pm, two women wearing face coverings and reportedly armed with a knife entered the convenience store and demanded cash from staff. They then fled the scene on foot, heading in the direction of Great North Road.

A 43-year-old male shop worker was present during the incident but was not physically injured.

Two women from the Pembrokeshire area, aged 30 and 25, have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remain in police custody.

Previous incidents

This latest robbery follows two previous incidents at the same premises:

On May 17, a masked man wielding a Stanley knife entered the store at around 10:00am and demanded money from the till before fleeing with around £50. The suspect has not been identified.

On June 21, a 29-year-old man was arrested after using force to steal a bottle of vodka from the shop. He was detained by police shortly after the incident and remains under investigation.

The string of incidents has prompted concern among local residents and business owners, with calls for increased police presence and better protection for retail staff.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We would like to thank the local community who have supported officers with their investigations so far.”

Anyone with information about the latest robbery or the earlier incidents is urged to contact police:

🔹 Online: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/
🔹 Email: [email protected]
🔹 Phone: 101

Quote reference: robbery at Pill Corner Store, Milford Haven – July 11.

Business

Bristol Airport takes legal action over Welsh Government’s £205m Cardiff Airport subsidy

Published

9 hours ago

July 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cross-border row intensifies as Bristol claims unfair advantage

BRISTOL Airport has filed a legal challenge against the Welsh Government over what it calls “unprecedented” public funding for Cardiff Airport, escalating a long-standing dispute over state support and regional air travel.

The legal action, submitted to the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, relates to a £205.2 million subsidy package announced earlier this year to support Cardiff Airport over the next decade. This sum is in addition to nearly £200 million already invested by the Welsh Government since it bought the airport for £52 million in 2013.

Bristol Airport argues that the funding gives Cardiff Airport an unfair competitive advantage, distorting the regional aviation market and potentially shifting passengers and airline services across the Severn without generating net economic growth. It also claims the Welsh Government failed to properly consult or consider alternative views before confirming the funding arrangement.

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “We fully support competition between airports, but it must be fair. This extraordinary level of subsidy risks undermining that.”

Welsh Government defends investment

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, confirmed that legal notice had been received and defended the subsidy, describing Cardiff Airport as “a strategic asset” for Wales.

She said: “Cardiff Airport is of vital importance to the South Wales economy, supporting thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. This investment will help the airport grow sustainably and contribute to wider regional prosperity.”

The Welsh Government has repeatedly emphasised its long-term commitment to seeing Cardiff Airport thrive under public ownership, citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation sector and the importance of maintaining a national airport.

Political fallout

The Welsh Conservatives have criticised the latest subsidy, calling it poor value for taxpayers and demanding the airport be returned to private hands. In the Senedd, opposition members have questioned why so much public money is being spent on an airport that has struggled to break even.

Cardiff Airport, meanwhile, continues to operate as normal. The management has welcomed the support and said the funding will help maintain services, attract new routes, and improve passenger facilities.

Background

Cardiff Airport has long trailed behind Bristol in terms of passenger numbers, with the English airport handling around 9 million travellers a year compared to Cardiff’s 1.5 million. Bristol has expanded rapidly in recent years, attracting major low-cost carriers, while Cardiff has faced repeated challenges retaining key routes and airlines.

The outcome of the legal challenge could have wide-ranging implications for how devolved governments can support transport infrastructure without breaching UK competition rules. The case is expected to be heard later this year.

Legal experts sceptical about Bristol’s chances

Despite the strong language in Bristol’s complaint, legal observers believe the case is likely to fail. Cardiff Airport is a publicly owned asset, and governments have broad powers to invest in infrastructure they own—especially when it serves a recognised public purpose, such as economic development or regional connectivity.

Under the UK’s post-Brexit Subsidy Control Act 2022, devolved administrations have greater flexibility to provide targeted support, so long as it meets criteria such as necessity and proportionality. Moreover, with Cardiff Airport handling a fraction of Bristol’s passenger volume, it may be difficult to prove that the subsidy causes real distortion in the market.

Unless Bristol can demonstrate direct commercial harm and show that the Welsh Government broke procedural rules, the case is likely to be dismissed.