News

NHS increasing its focus on quality and safety

Published

13 years ago

October 13, 2013

THE NHS is taking significant steps towards ensuring better quality of care and improved measures of safety – that was the main message from NHS Wales Chief Executive David Sissling as he published his second annual report.
Achievements during 2012/13 include:
publication of new data on hospital mortality and hospital infection rates, helping to provide more transparent information to the public and drive up standards across the NHS;
all seven Welsh Local Health Boards and three Trusts now publishing Annual Quality Statements to report to the public on progress with the quality and standard of the services they provide;
a new dedicated website for patient safety providing information on how well each NHS Wales organisation is doing with implementing over 70 measures (safety solutions) designed to improve safety and quality of care; current data shows the NHS is doing well with 100 per cent compliance in many areas;
continuation of the 1000 Lives Plus quality programme, including introduction of a new system to alert staff if a patient’s health is deteriorating and prevent deaths from sepsis;
continued progress in reducing healthcare associated infections over the last year, including a 10 per cent reduction in C.difficile infections and19 per cent in MRSA infections;
continued improvements in reducing admissions related to coronary heart disease (-5.5 per cent), and diabetes (-3.5 per cent);
high satisfaction levels with NHS services – 84 per cent satisfaction with treatment in A&E departments and 92 per cent satisfaction with care by a GP
the fastest rate of improvement since 1993 across the UK for cancer survival rates; and
delivering financial balance.
In his second annual report, David Sissling described the year as being “defined by three issues”.
He said: “Firstly, our response here in Wales to the Francis report has meant an assessment of the safety and quality of our services and the introduction of measures in response.
“NHS Wales is the envy of much of the UK in terms of its focus on quality and safety. We are introducing more mechanisms to detect risks or problems before they occur, publishing more performance data to be more transparent to patients and drive improvement across the service, and also continuing to pioneer innovative programmes on raising quality of care.
“Secondly, throughout Wales our Health Boards have gone to public consultation regarding proposed changes in service delivery models. Some of the proposals represent a significant adjustment to much cherished local services, and that is why an effective and thorough process of engagement with our staff and the public has been so important. But one thing is clear and that is that changes have to be made to ensure our services are sustainable and able to respond to the many challenges faced by healthcare across Wales.
“Finally, the pressures experienced by the NHS in Wales during the winter period saw an unprecedented demand on our urgent and emergency care services and meant the re-direction of resources towards the increased demand. This in turn, of course, led to pressures on other parts of the service. We have been able to learn from these experiences and we are now planning for the rest of 2013 and the next three years.
“Reducing emergency and general hospital admissions is therefore a priority. The number of emergency and general admissions and readmissions has an effect on a hospital’s ability to deliver its non-urgent surgery, as resources are taken up in caring for the unplanned admissions. The trend during the previous years continued with fewer admissions related to coronary heart disease and diabetes, and fewer readmissions related to both coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
David Sissling added: “This has been a challenging year indeed, but I must pay tribute to all the hard work of NHS staff in the face of all that they have been required to do. Their dedication and commitment is exceptional and I am grateful to them and to the many volunteers whose invaluable contributions are often unseen.
“I want the NHS in Wales to be on an upward curve in terms of continual improvement in the services it delivers. There will be more challenges to come but if we continue to put our aim for first class patient care at the centre of our day-to-day plans, side by side with the committed and dedicated NHS workforce that we have in place, then we will get ever closer to the type of healthcare that we would all wish to see and experience here in Wales.”

Community

The gentle giant behind the tattoos

Published

5 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire security worker Josh Davies praised for professionalism, kindness and proving first impressions can be wrong

JOSH Davies is hard to miss.

With tattoos across his head, face, neck and hands, he is the kind of man people notice before they know anything about him.

But those who know him, work with him, or have simply crossed paths with him after a long night on duty, tell a very different story.

They describe him as a gentleman. A grafter. A man with a big heart. Someone who would do anything to help another person.

Now Josh, who completed his Door Supervisor course with RM Training and Security Solutions last year, is being praised for the way he has built a career in the security industry and become a valued member of the team.

The Pembrokeshire-based company said Josh had gone “from strength to strength” since gaining his licence, working across licensed venues, events, customer-facing roles, response duties and other security work.

A spokesperson for RM Training and Security Solutions said: “From day one, Josh showed a natural ability for the security industry.

“Since gaining his licence, he has thrown himself into every opportunity presented to him, working across a variety of roles including licensed venues, events, customer-facing positions, response duties, and much more.

“There genuinely seems to be nothing Josh cannot turn his hand to. His willingness to learn, adaptability, reliability, and positive attitude have made him a valued member of the RM team.”

But it is not only his employers who have noticed.

After RM Training shared Josh’s success story online, dozens of people came forward to praise him, with many saying his appearance should never be mistaken for the man underneath.

One woman said she had met Josh on a Sunday morning after he had finished a night shift.

She said: “He was an absolute gentleman. Someone you would say from first impression of meeting, nice guy, good guy.”

Another person, who said she had known Josh since he was young and treated him like a son, said: “I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for me in my life. He is one in a million.

“People look at him like a big boy, but he has got a heart and he will do anything to help anyone.”

Others described him as a “great bloke”, “absolute gentleman”, “sound bloke”, and someone who was “built to be a doorman”.

In an industry where first impressions, calm judgement and public confidence matter, RM Training said Josh’s professionalism had become one of his strongest qualities.

The company added: “What stands out most is his professionalism. Whether dealing with members of the public, clients, colleagues, or challenging situations, Josh consistently demonstrates the highest standards expected within our industry.

“He represents both himself and RM Training & Security Solutions exceptionally well at all times.

“We are incredibly proud to have Josh as part of the team and look forward to watching his continued growth and success within the security industry.”

Security staff are often seen only when something goes wrong, but much of the work involves preventing problems before they happen, reassuring the public, supporting event organisers, and knowing how to deal with difficult situations calmly.

Josh’s story has struck a chord because it challenges the quick assumptions people can make.

To some, the tattoos may be the first thing they see.

To those who know him, they are simply part of a man who has worked hard, taken his chance, and earned respect through his attitude and actions.

One supporter summed it up simply: “Life loves a grafter.”

Photo caption:

Josh Davies has been praised by RM Training and Security Solutions and members of the public for his professionalism and kindness (Pics: DarthMartyMedia).

News

150 years of Mothers’ Union marked at St Davids Cathedral

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SPECIAL service has been held at St Davids Cathedral to celebrate 150 years of the Mothers’ Union.

Members and officials gathered for the anniversary celebration on Sunday (Jun 21), where Bishop Dorrien welcomed those attending and spent time speaking with the Provincial Chaplain.

The occasion had particular significance for Bishop Dorrien, who is the third generation of his family to be a member of the Mothers’ Union.

The organisation, founded in 1876, continues to support families, communities and church life across Wales and around the world.

Those attending said the celebration was a fitting tribute to the work of generations of members, with hopes expressed for the next 150 years.

Caption:

Celebration: Members and officials gathered at St Davids Cathedral to mark 150 years of the Mothers’ Union (Pic: Diocese of St Davids).

Entertainment

Harbour Fest to bring music, food and maritime magic to Milford Waterfront

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Free family festival will celebrate Milford Haven’s seafaring history and coastal community

MILFORD WATERFRONT will burst into life on Saturday, June 27, as the first Harbour Fest sails into town for a day of music, food, family fun and maritime celebration.

The free event will run from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Mackerel Quay and across the waterfront, bringing together local traders, live entertainment, coastal organisations and independent businesses for a packed day beside the water.

Organisers say the festival will celebrate everything that makes Milford Haven special, from its seafaring history and working harbour to its growing reputation as a destination for food, shopping, culture and family days out.

Visitors will be able to browse stalls from local makers and producers, enjoy street food and live performances, and explore a Marine Zone featuring organisations involved in sea safety, marine conservation and coastal life.

The Marine Zone will include Seagrass Network Cymru / Project Seagrass, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dyfed-Powys Police, NCI Wooltack Point, Rudders Marine Training, RNLI Milford Haven and RNLI Angle Lifeboat.

RNLI Angle Lifeboat is expected to be based on the Mackerel Stage, while the Sea Cadets will be giving rope-tying displays at Milford Haven Museum, where craft activities will also be taking place.

Live entertainment will run throughout the day, with performances from Tom & Abz, Will Scott, Ryan Bristow, Milford Haven Town Band, Kyle Kirkhouse and ShantyJacs Sea Shanties.

Businesses across the waterfront are also joining in. All Pets Vet Care will hold a family-friendly open day with a bouncy castle, treasure hunts, quizzes, craft activities and behind-the-scenes tours. Aurora Artisan Crafts will host vocal performances, Biffy’s Bar & Restaurant will feature solo acoustic music from Laurence Lewis, and Martha’s Vineyard will offer seafood street food with live music from Ryan Bristow and Steve Bartram.

At Tŷ Milford Waterfront’s outdoor plaza there will be face painting, children’s activities, pop-up artists and an afternoon DJ set, while Phoenix Bowl and Pirate Pete’s Adventure Play will have inflatables and glitter tattoos outside.

The Waterfront Gallery will host introduction to felt-making workshops with textile artist Carole Fletcher, giving participants the chance to create a woollen felt flower pin brooch or phone/glasses case. The workshops start at 10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm and cost £5 per person.

A wide range of traders will also be attending, including 5th Flock Spirits Co, Cinnamon Grove Distillery, Cwm Deri Wines & Liqueurs, Ferncraft, Get Loaded, J.J. Pottery, Major Nuts, Orange Garden Design, Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm, Pembrokeshire Gold, Pembrokeshire Lottery, Plumstone Welshcakes and SlateArtSJ.

With music drifting across the marina, food stalls lining the waterfront and lifeboats, sea safety teams and coastal groups adding a strong maritime flavour, Harbour Fest is expected to bring a lively summer atmosphere to one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known waterside destinations.