A FURTHER 200 nurses and doctors from Kerala in India will be recruited to join the health service in Wales.

The announcement strengthens the agreement made between the Welsh Government and the Government of Kerala last year to support ethical recruitment from India to Wales, and on the basis of mutual benefit.

The NHS in Wales now has more staff than at any point in its history, directly employing almost 97,000 full-time equivalent staff, and the Welsh Government is committed to continue investing in the current workforce and in training the NHS workforce of the future.

By welcoming healthcare professionals from Kerala, the NHS is benefiting from a wealth of knowledge which bring skills and experience that enrich the healthcare system.

More than 300 healthcare professionals have already taken up positions across NHS Wales from the Indian state since the agreement was signed in March 2024.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles met staff coming to Wales and thanked them for their support of NHS Wales.

Staff Nurse Teena Thomas from Karunagappally is set to join NHS Wales soon and said: “I’m drawn to NHS Wales’ commitment to providing high-quality patient care and its reputation for excellence in healthcare.

“I’m excited to be part of a team that values compassion, kindness, and respect. The opportunity to work in a multicultural environment and contribute to the well-being of the Welsh community is truly fulfilling. I’m looking forward to developing my skills and expertise in a supportive and inclusive work environment.”

The Health Secretary also met with Minister for Health, Woman and Child Development, Veena George, to reaffirm and strengthen the working relationship between Wales and Kerala.

Health Secretary, Jeremy Miles said: “We are committed to delivering a sustainable NHS workforce which can handle present demands and meet the needs of the future.

“Wales has a long and proud tradition of welcoming healthcare professionals from all over the world and ethical international recruitment is a key part of our workforce strategy to ensure that the NHS in Wales has the right people and skills it needs.

“I am pleased a further 200 healthcare professionals from Kerala will be playing an important part in supporting NHS Wales, joining those who have already been recruited to our healthcare system.

“I thank them for everything they do and the Government of Kerala for the warm welcome and look forward to continuing to build our strong working relationship.”

(Pictured: Indian nurses – file pic)

TENBY’S remarkable Eileen Machin turns 101 tomorrow (Feb 28), marking another milestone in a life filled with adventure, service, and love.

A proud veteran of the Women’s Services during the Second World War, Eileen has lived through history and continues to embrace life with an energy that puts many to shame. She still lives independently in her own flat and regularly uses her free bus pass to travel to Pembroke, where she meets family for catch-ups.

Eileen, a mother of six, also fostered many children over the years, providing a loving home to those in need. Her warmth and generosity have extended through the generations, as proven by a remarkable family photo taken last year, featuring five generations—ages 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100—alongside grandchildren from Pembroke and even as far as New Zealand. Pictured with her are four great-grandsons (two from the UK and two from New Zealand) and one great-great-grandson.

A true adventurer at heart, Eileen made headlines last April when she renewed her passport—free of charge, as is the privilege for centenarians—and jetted off on a family holiday to Cyprus. She was the life of the party, dancing the nights away and making the most of the all-inclusive perks with a few well-earned gin and tonics.

Eileen’s incredible life and stories are an inspiration to all who know her. As she celebrates her 101st birthday, surrounded by loved ones, one thing is certain—this extraordinary woman isn’t slowing down any time soon!

(Pic: Eileen Machin with her five-generation family, including four great-grandsons and one great-great-grandson.)

A DISPERSAL zone has been enforced at Tenby’s multi-storey car park following a surge in anti-social behaviour, Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed.

Officers say they have received “a number of reports” of disorder both within the car park and in the surrounding area. The incidents have been described as serious enough to warrant immediate action, with police vowing to tackle the issue “robustly.”

Police clamp down on disorder

In response, a Section 34 dispersal zone has been put in place, granting police and PCSOs the authority to order individuals to leave the area if they are involved in, or likely to engage in, anti-social behaviour. Those instructed to leave must not return for 48 hours.

A spokesperson for the Tenby Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) urged parents to take responsibility for their children, saying: “Parents, please be aware of where your children are and what they are up to.”

Reports of escalating incidents

While police have not disclosed specific details of the reported incidents, concerns have been raised over escalating problems at the site. The multi-storey car park was the location of a tragic accident last month when a six-month-old baby was struck by a car and later died.

Residents and businesses in the area have expressed concern over ongoing disturbances, with some calling for increased police patrols and improved security measures at the facility.

How to report anti-social behaviour

Police are urging anyone witnessing anti-social behaviour to report it via:
101 (non-emergency police number)
[email protected]
Online at https://orlo.uk/oL3e3

The dispersal zone will remain in effect while police continue to monitor the situation.