News

GP Services to remain in Neyland

Published

7 years ago

July 25, 2018

A NEW plan for GP services for patients in and around Neyland has been agreed by Hywel Dda University Health Board and will be implemented this autumn.

Patients in the Neyland area will be aware that the application by Argyle Medical Group to close St. Clement’s Surgery this autumn was approved by the Health Board in April.

Work has been underway in recent months with local stakeholders to explore an alternative proposal to provide these vital services to patients affected by the planned closure.

Transport difficulties and additional pressure on appointments at Argyle Surgery are amongst the concerns of patients and local community representatives. Over recent months the Partners at Neyland and Johnston Surgery have been in negotiation with the Health Board regarding the Partners’ proposal to take on the care of those Argyle Surgery patients living in and around Neyland.

An agreement has been reached which retains GP services in Neyland for all patients, and protects the longer-term provision of these important services for the Neyland area.

From November 1, all patients registered with Argyle Surgery who live in the Neyland area will be able to have their registration automatically transferred from Argyle Medical Group to Neyland and Johnston Surgery, and have their care delivered locally by the team led by Dr Phillips and Dr Tobin.

To manage the increase in patient numbers, Neyland and Johnston Surgery will be moving their base in Neyland from the Health Centre at Charles Street to St. Clement’s Surgery. The Practice will continue to operate Johnston Surgery as normal.

The Health Board will continue to work with the Practice to plan for a longer-term solution for their premises to meet the needs of the growing Practice. In addition to moving into St. Clement’s Surgery, Neyland and Johnston Surgery will also be recruiting additional staff to their team to manage the increase in numbers.

Argyle Medical Group will continue to operate services from St. Clement’s Surgery until the handover of the building to the Partners of Neyland & Johnston Surgery. Patients should continue to access services there until the transition on November 1.

Those patients registered with Argyle Medical Group who would prefer to remain registered with the Argyle Medical group will be able to do so via an opt-out system to protect patient choice. Patients who choose to opt-out and remain with Argyle Medical Group will need to travel to Argyle Surgery in Pembroke Dock or St. Oswald’s Surgery in Pembroke.

The Health Board will be writing shortly to all affected patients to outline the changes and provide patients with the means to opt-out and remain registered with Argyle Medical Group if they so choose.

Patients who are happy to transfer to Neyland and Johnston Surgery and receive their care at St. Clement’s Surgery in Neyland or in Johnston, need do nothing and will automatically transfer from November 1.

Patients do not need to do anything until they receive letters advising them of the changes and how they can opt to remain with Argyle Medical Group if that is their preference.

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “The Health Board has listened to the concerns of patients, Neyland Town Council, the Community Health Council and other stakeholders and is pleased to announce this plan for General Medical Services in Neyland and the surrounding area. We have welcomed the co-operation and engagement of all stakeholders in working towards this solution.”

Cllr Paul Miller welcomed the announcement: “I very much welcome the news from Hywel Dda that patients in Neyland will continue to be able to see a Doctor, in the town of Neyland.

“There’s been a lot of hard work gone on behind the scenes to make this possible and I’m grateful to the Health Board and to Neyland and Johnston Surgery for their efforts.

“That said, we need to continue the work together to ensure the transition is smooth, to ensure that access to appointments for patients in Neyland gets better and not worse under the new arrangements and ultimately to design a long-term, sustainable model for the delivery of GP Services for the people of Neyland.

“I look forward to continuing work with the Health Board to achieve this.”

Stephen Crabb MP told The Herald: ““This is a very positive move and the Health Board deserve credit for working out a common sense solution for St Clements surgery. The proposed closure was the number one issue of concern to residents at my public meeting in Neyland recently, and I am pleased that the message that I and the others have delivered to the Health Board has got through. However, this does not resolve the underlying problem of GP recruitment and this is a matter that the Welsh Government in Cardiff needs to get a grip on urgently.”

Community

Sunshine, sparkle and spirit at Neyland Carnival 2025

Published

3 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

4 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

8 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.