News

Boris Johnson attacks anti-vaxers, saying they are talking ‘mumbo jumbo’

Published

3 years ago

January 6, 2022

THE PRIME MINISTER says it is a “tragedy” that there is “all this pressure” on the NHS due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and “you’ve got people out there spouting complete nonsense about vaccinations”.

Speaking during a visit to a vaccination centre in Northampton, the prime minister said he wanted to keep a “voluntary approach” to COVID-19 jabs, noting that other European countries are “going for coercion”.

Implying that the unvaccinated were selfish and partly responsible for the crisis in hospitals, he said it was a “tragedy” that there was “all this pressure” on the NHS due to the Omicron variant, with “30-40% of those in hospital in this current wave are unvaccinated”, and “you’ve got people out there spouting complete nonsense about vaccination”.

He continued: “They are totally wrong, and I think it is time that I, the government, call them out on what they are doing.

“It is absolutely wrong, it is totally counterproductive, and the stuff they’re putting out on social media is completely mumbo jumbo.”

As he urged Britons to get the COVID jab, the PM said: “The saddest words in the English language are ‘too late’. When you’re in ICU and you haven’t been vaccinated, sadly it’s too late to get vaccinated, so get boosted now.”

An estimated 4.5 million people aged 18 and over in the UK have yet to receive a first dose, more than six million people have not had two jabs, and nearly nine million eligible people have yet to take up the offer of a booster.

Mr Johnson also acknowledged that the NHS was under “huge pressure” now, but said it is “not true” that the health service does not have enough staff to cope with the pressures it is facing.

Health leaders have warned that the NHS is facing a “staffing crisis”, with 24 trusts declaring a critical incident.

This is the highest level of alert which means the trust fears priority services cannot be safely delivered.

While he acknowledged the health service was currently under “huge pressure”, the PM denied putting the NHS on a war footing without the right staffing.

Mr Johnson said, “it’s been continuous over the last 18 months, wave after wave of COVID”, while stressing he understood how frustrating it was to see another wave.

He defended the government’s record on bolstering staff numbers saying, “there are 5,000 more doctors this year and 10,000 more nurses”, as he insisted the government was recruiting many more.

It comes as Environment Secretary George Eustice predicted the country would get past the Omicron peak of infections “relatively soon”, with NHS struggles set to be “quite short lived”.

Speaking on TV, the cabinet minister said: “This is a difficult situation.

“It will be quite short lived because obviously we will get past this peak of infections relatively soon, but in the meantime, we’ve taken that step to reduce the isolation period and we’re doing all we can to make sure we can redeploy resources (in the NHS).”

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

6 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

8 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

8 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.

A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.