News
AM’s concern over medicine misuse
FOLLOWING the publication of shocking statistics on the use of prescription and over the counter medicines, Rebecca Evans, AM for Mid and West Wales, has called on the Welsh Government to issue a statement on how it is promoting the safe use of easily accessed medicines, and issue details of what support is in place for people who are abusing or who are addicted to prescription or over the counter medication.
New figures have revealed that more people in Britain are now killed by prescription and over-the-counter drugs than are killed by heroin and cocaine.
The figures published show that last year 807 people died in the UK as a result of taking anti-depressants and painkillers, compared with 718 deaths linked to cocaine and heroin.
In another study, a survey of 5,000 young people found that 33% admitted to taking painkillers every day.
Speaking in the Welsh Assembly’s weekly business statement, Mrs Evans raised the shocking figures with the Minister for Government Business, Lesley Griffiths, asking for “a statement from the Government on how you are promoting the safe use of easily accessed medicines, and details of what support is in place for people who are abusing or who are addicted to prescription or over the counter medication.”
In response, Lesley Griffiths confirmed that the Minister for Health and Social Services has raised this issue with the new chair of the advisory panel of substance misuse which is currently undertaking a review into the misuse of prescription medicines. She went on to say “that the Minister has made it very clear that Wales need to be able to pick up on the advice that emerges from that review.”
Mrs Evans commented further: “Over-the-counter medication can be very addictive. Indeed, the misuse and abuse of any medication can pose a variety of serious risks. Just because some medicines are easily available doesn’t mean that they can be used carelessly, or that they are not strong enough to have a significant impact on a person’s health.
“Abusing any drug is a serious matter, and it is important that people are informed about the risks involved. It is also important that there are services and support in place to help people who find themselves in a situation where they are addicted to or misusing medication.”
People who think they are addicted to medication or who are misusing medication can seek further advice and information from their GP.

News
Large emergency service mobilisation to assist driver who went over cliff near oil refinery

POLICE, ambulance, coastguard, and RNLI and two helicopters were all involved in the extraction of a casualty from a vehicle which had gone over a cliff and landed on the beach at Popton Fort very near to Valero Oil Refinery on Thursday morning.
The emergency call came just after 6.30am, with a large number of rescuers arriving quickly to assist the driver of the vehicle.
Valero oil refinery confirmed that the incident did not involve their facility.
RNLI Angle posted on social media saying the following: “Our crew were paged at 6:37am to a vehicle over the cliff near Popton Fort.
“A vehicle had left the road and fallen onto the beach below.
“Police, ambulance, the fire service and St Govans and Tenby coastguard rescue teams were already on scene, however the lifeboat was requested to assist with evacuating the casualty due to the difficult location.
“Following assessment and stabilisation by paramedics, it was decided that the casualty’s injuries were potentially too severe for transfer by sea, but not ruled out completely due to the incoming tide.
“With this, a request was made for the air ambulance to attend.
“With the air ambulance paramedics now on scene, their assessment was that evacuation by helicopter would be the most appropriate, therefore a further request was made for the a coastguard rescue helicopter to attend and evacuate the casualty.
“With the option of evacuation by lifeboat still a possibility, the all-weather lifeboat stood off should it be required.
“With the coastguard helicopter now on scene, the casualty was handed over into the helicopter for onward transfer to hospital.
“The lifeboat was stood down to return to station, arriving back at 8:30am.”

News
National Park Trust supporters take a walk on the wild side

SUPPORTERS of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Trust were treated to a dazzling display of wildlife during a recent guided walk through Skrinkle Meadow.
The event, which took place against a backdrop of glorious summer weather, was arranged as a way of expressing thanks to Trust supporters and highlighting the importance of meadows and the Trust’s Make More Meadows campaign.
The Make More Meadows campaign has been running since April 2019, and seeks to reverse a dramatic national decline in wildflower meadows over the last 75 years. So far, it has raised enough money to support 13 meadow sites, covering a total of 132 hectares and providing vital habitats for pollinators and other wildlife.

Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Trust Jessica Morgan said: “The Walk and Talk event at Skrinkle was an excellent opportunity to showcase the colourful results of meadow restoration, and our thanks go to National Park Authority Ranger Service Manager Libby Taylor, whose expertise turned this into a thoroughly enjoyable visit. National Park Authority Wardens have worked for years to improve biodiversity at Skrinkle Meadow, and seeds from the meadow have been used to create other wildflower meadows in the Park.

“On this occasion, six-spot burnet moths stole the show, but in previous years Skrinkle Meadow has provided some of the best orchid displays and richest variety of wildflowers in the county.”
The meadow regeneration theme was of particular interest to many of the attendees, who either have meadows of their own, or are considering establishing new ones.
To learn about the work of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Trust and exclusive supporter events like this, sign up to the newsletter at https://pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales/
News
Paddleboarder with suspected wrist fracture assisted by Fishguard RNLI

ON SATURDAY (Aug 13), a female paddleboarder, who decided to take a swim when located at Aber Bach, unfortunately fractured her wrist when diving from a nearby rock. Her female companion called for assistance which resulted in Fishguard RNLI’s inshore lifeboat being tasked to the scene, located between Fishguard and Dinas Head.
The inshore lifeboat, with three crew members, launched at 2.20pm and arrived on scene at 2.40pm. Her injury was assessed by a crew member, who is a practicing doctor, and she and her companion were transferred to Pwllgwaelod beach where their car was located and they drove to Withybush Hospital for further treatment.

The lifeboat then returned to base at 3.00pm.
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