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Box-clever at Alpha Boxing Club

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7 MONTHS ago, Scott Keane could barely leave his bed.

The pandemic was in full-swing and Scott, like many around the world, was suffering with his mental health.

Scott, a former boxing and kickboxing champion, felt removed and withdrawn, but rather than wallow, Scott found the resolve to do something about his frame of mind.

Within ten weeks, Scott went from being unable to help himself to being driven and determined to help others who might be suffering as he had.

Fast-forward 7 months and Scott has now set up Alpha Boxing Club on Thornton Industrial Estate in Milford Haven after moving back to Pembrokeshire.

We caught up with Scott at his gym to have a chat about his journey.

“I had a breakdown in December” Said Scott openly “I just could not get out of bed, it was bad”

“I’ve never been a wallower, I’m a fighter through-and-through” Said Scott as gestured around the gym “But I was literally staring over a cliff and I knew something had to change.”

“I knew then and there that I needed help, too many people try to shoulder things on their own. I knew I needed help, so I got it.”

Scott’s ability to talk about his own mental health is a real breath of fresh air and he talks about his issues like they’re just another step in his journey.

“Within 10 weeks I’d taken back control of my own brain, I was lucky, I got therapy and it made me realise a lot of the problems that were weighing me down were entirely in my mind.”

Scott puts his speedy recovery down to working with Kristel Hogg from Focus On You Therapy. 

Kristel specialises in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy which is a modern, highly effective combination of positive psychotherapy and relaxation which brings a very natural state of hypnotic trance. 

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy uses practical, modern, and well-researched strategies to help people make significant, positive and meaningful changes in their lives over a relatively short period of time enabling the client to live a positive fulfilled life of enjoyment without the burdens that once may have been holding them back or restricting them from moving forward in a positive and happy way.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy blends elements of Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) with Hypnosis. Combined in this way, the therapy can help to bring about long- lasting change, relatively quickly.

Combining relaxation and visualisation, Kristel helps people focus on the positive aspects of their lives. This encourages that all important shift in perspective and thought enabling a new or even a broader outlook, a more positive perspective with true solutions and absolute focus and intent.

“Once I got myself into a better place, thanks to Kristel and my close family, I had to figure out a way to stay there.” Said Scott.

“I needed structure, I needed something to focus on and my cousins kept pushing me to reopen a gym and then it hit me….”

Alpha Boxing Club is that structure and focus, Scott poured his time and energy into providing Milford Haven with something that it simply didn’t have, a boxing club.

Eye of the Tiger: inside Alpha Boxing Club

“There’s nothing in Milford like it” Said Scott “The response has been great and I think we’re building something really special here.”

“So many people suffered with a lack of fitness and a lack of routine during this pandemic, Alpha Boxing Club can help with both of those.”

“Our club is there for everybody, we’ve just opened and it’s already got a great atmosphere, everyone knows we’re all here to help each other physically and mentally.”

Alpha Boxing Club certainly looks the part, we were impressed by what Scott’s managed to achieve so far and his fearless attitude means the sky is most definitely the limit.

The club welcomes both Adults and Juniors with Adult classes taking place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 6:30pm – 7:30pm and classes for 8-12 year-olds taking place on Mondays and Thursdays between 5:30pm and 6:15pm.

“We are here for everybody” Scott said “But we do need help to keep growing and moving forward, we’d love local sponsors to come forward and help us help others.”

“And it really does help, physical and mental health go hand-in-hand and  it helps just knowing you’re not alone when times get tough, you just have to persevere and push through.”

“I am hoping to work with Kristel more to help people suffering with their mental health.”

Scott’s passion and thirst are obvious from just speaking to him, his energy is infectious and his boxing talent and knowledge are both clear to see.

As our time together drew to a close, I congratulated Scott on his amazing journey so far and for overcoming his own mental health battle.

It was then that Scott turned to me and said “If I can, anyone can, they just need the support to help them fight.”

And we’ve got a feeling that, at Alpha Boxing Club, they’ll find just that.

You can follow Alpha Boxing Club on Facebook and their telephone number is 07537 874500.

Health

Kurtz and Tufnell push in different directions for NHS reform in Pembrokeshire

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THE STATE of healthcare in Pembrokeshire has come under renewed scrutiny as two local politicians—Samuel Kurtz MS and Henry Tufnell MP—take different approaches to tackling NHS waiting times and service challenges in the region.

Kurtz: NHS Delays Are Damaging the Economy

Sam Kurtz on the floor in the Senedd

Samuel Kurtz, Conservative Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, has demanded urgent action from the Welsh Government to address record-breaking NHS waiting lists. He has warned that the lengthy delays are not only devastating for patients but also damaging Wales’ economy.

Speaking outside the Senedd, Mr. Kurtz said: “It is completely unacceptable that so many people are left waiting for essential treatment for such prolonged periods. One of my constituents was forced to give up full-time work after enduring an unreasonably long wait for a hip replacement on the NHS. Sadly, this is not an isolated case—it is happening across Wales.”

Figures show that over 20,000 people in Wales have been waiting more than two years for treatment, while more than 170,000 have waited over a year. Kurtz argues that this is not only a healthcare crisis but an economic one, with a quarter of those classed as economically inactive being unable to work due to long-term health conditions.

“The Welsh Government, which has been responsible for health policy for 25 years, must act now,” Kurtz added. “People need treatment so they can return to good health and contribute to our workforce. Wales cannot afford for this situation to become the norm.”

Tufnell: Holding the Health Board to Account

Different approach: MP Tufnell has tough questions for the local health board

Meanwhile, Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, has been pressing for improvements by engaging directly with the Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB). This week, he held a long-awaited meeting with the Chief Executive of the Health Board at Withybush Hospital, following months of campaigning on healthcare issues.

Tufnell had previously presented findings from a survey of over 1,000 Pembrokeshire residents, revealing serious concerns over service availability, waiting times, and patient outcomes. He has pushed HDUHB to acknowledge these failings and commit to improvements.

“I am pleased that this was a productive meeting, and the Chief Executive recognised the scale of the challenges we are facing,” Mr. Tufnell said. “He has agreed that there must be a culture shift within management and has committed to continued dialogue as we work towards a coherent plan to address the crisis.”

Tufnell has also submitted a Freedom of Information request to HDUHB, demanding data on waiting times and service provision to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Healthcare is the number one priority for my constituents, and I am determined to secure better outcomes in Pembrokeshire,” he added. “This meeting is a positive first step, but there is much more work to be done.”

Different Approaches to the Same Crisis

While Kurtz and Tufnell are both addressing Pembrokeshire’s healthcare problems, they are taking distinct approaches. Kurtz is focusing on pressuring the Welsh Government to cut waiting lists, while Tufnell is working directly with the local health board to push for reform.

Although they are not directly clashing, their methods highlight the political divide on how best to tackle the NHS crisis in Wales. As Pembrokeshire residents continue to struggle with delayed treatments and overburdened services, the success of their efforts remains to be seen.

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Health

Ambulance delays leave Pembrokeshire patients waiting hours

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Emergency response times under even more strain

PATIENTS across Wales are facing dangerously long delays as ambulances queue for hours outside A&E departments, with new figures showing an average wait time of nearly two hours for handovers in 2024.

Data obtained by The Herald reveals that more than 23,000 ambulances were stuck outside emergency units for at least four hours last year, while nearly 73,000 endured waits of over an hour—an 18% rise on 2023 and the highest recorded level to date.

The Welsh Ambulance Trust has admitted the situation is unsustainable, blaming it on “sustained and well-documented pressures across the entire NHS in Wales.” The problem is particularly severe in Swansea Bay, where Morriston Hospital reported average handover times exceeding three hours and nine minutes.

Ambulances stuck, patients suffer

When an ambulance arrives at A&E, paramedics are supposed to transfer patients into hospital care within 15 minutes. However, the reality is far different, with official figures showing that in December alone, more than 25,000 hours were ‘lost’ due to excessive waiting times.

The crisis hit a breaking point on 30 December, when the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident—a rare move—because over half its vehicles were gridlocked outside hospitals, unable to respond to new emergency calls.

“We deeply regret the impact these delays have on our patients and their families,” said Lee Brooks, Executive Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service. “This is not the standard of service we want to provide.”

Pembrokeshire patients at risk

While much of the focus has been on Swansea and Cardiff, patients in Pembrokeshire are not immune to the chaos. With Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest already under strain following the downgrading of its A&E services, concerns are growing that West Wales patients are left increasingly vulnerable.

“We see ambulances stacked up outside hospitals, unable to get back on the road,” said a paramedic who wished to remain anonymous. “That means people in Pembrokeshire suffering strokes or heart attacks could be left waiting far too long for help.”

Even ‘red calls’—the most urgent emergencies, including cardiac arrests—are facing challenges. In December, only 47.6% of these life-threatening calls were responded to within the target eight-minute window.

Hospitals struggling to cope

Health officials insist they are working to improve the situation, but a key problem remains the lack of available hospital beds. Many emergency departments simply do not have room to admit new patients, leading to a backlog that begins outside in the ambulance queue.

“In some hospitals, one in five beds is occupied by patients who are medically fit to leave but have nowhere to go due to the lack of social care support,” said Darren Hughes of the Welsh NHS Confederation.

Local NHS managers insist they are trying to speed up discharges to free up hospital space, but the knock-on effect of delays is affecting emergency services across Wales.

What next?

With handover delays now at record levels and no quick fix in sight, health bosses are being urged to rethink how emergency services operate.

“We don’t believe that just adding more ambulances is the answer,” Mr Brooks said. “We need to use the skills of our people differently, ensuring patients get the right care or advice before they even need an ambulance.”

The public is also being urged to think before dialling 999, using services like NHS 111 for less urgent issues to ease the burden on emergency crews.

However, for those in Pembrokeshire who rely on fast emergency response times, the reality remains bleak. As the NHS struggles to cope, the people of West Wales can only hope that help arrives before it’s too late.

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Health

£13.7m to transform services and cut ADHD and autism waiting times

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A FURTHER £13.7m will be invested to improve neurodivergence services and reduce waiting times for autism and ADHD assessments across Wales.

Demand for neurodivergence services has rapidly grown in recent years, with increased awareness of neurodivergent conditions leading to thousands of people seeking assessments and support.

The new funding will extend the work of the National Neurodivergence Improvement Programme to transform services and support the National Neurodivergence Team until March 2027, building on the £12m invested over the past three years and £3m to reduce the longest waiting times for children’s assessments in November.

Marking the start of Children’s Mental Health Week (February 3-9), Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy said the new funding will help to transform neurodivergence services over the next two years.

“We know radical change is needed in this sector and we are working with the NHS and services to improve long-term support for neurodivergent children, adults and their families,” she said.

“In the face of unprecedented demand for both diagnosis and treatment, we have made significant progress in developing integrated services.

“This further investment will help reduce assessment waiting times while ensuring sustainable support is available for those who need it.”

The Neurodivergence Improvement Programme has already delivered substantial improvements, including:

Extended workforce training across health, social care, education and specialisms
Piloted innovative needs-led profiling tools
Enhanced data collection and reporting systems
Established stronger collaborative relationships between organisations
Piloted new integrated service delivery models
Held an all-Wales accelerated design event
The West Glamorgan Neurodiverse Board’s Myth Busting project is an example of a new support service, which promotes a needs-led, strengths-based approach to supporting neurodivergent pupils, moving away from diagnosis-dependent support.

Through initiatives like Time to Talk sessions, resource materials and digital content, it equips schools and parents with practical tools and strategies to create more inclusive learning environments.

The Minister added: “Our focus is on creating a needs-led approach that provides early help and support, while working to reduce waiting times. This investment demonstrates our commitment to developing sustainable, integrated services that better serve neurodivergent people across Wales.”

Julie Davies, chair of the West Glamorgan Neurodiverse Programme and Head of Adult and Children’s Services at Swansea Council, said:

“We are delighted to hear about the extension of the Neurodivergence Programme. The continued funding will be instrumental in addressing the specific needs of individuals, our endeavours to reduce waiting times, and developing innovative approaches to support neurodiverse communities.”

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