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New project seeks memories of beloved Parish priest

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TO mark the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Paul Sartori charity an exciting new project ‘Voices from the Community Oral History Project’ was officially launched at Paul Sartori House last week.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project aims to gather memories of Father Sartori, to understand his impact on individuals, the wider community and his inspiration in forming the charity which bears his name.

The bilingual project is keen to hear from people who knew Father Sartori and who will agree to be interviewed so that their memories are preserved.

Volunteers from across the community will be recruited to help with the interviewing and collating of information. Full training will be given.

The interviews, together with photographs, documents and other artefacts will be digitised and made accessible via The Peoples’ Collection Wales and the Pembrokeshire Archives.

There will also be a permanent multi-panel display produced at the end of the project which runs through to November 2023.

When Father Paul Sartori passed away on 16 April 1980 at the tragically early age of 39, the shock was felt far beyond the Catholic community of Haverfordwest where he had ministered as a priest since 1966.

He arrived from North Wales that year, serving as curate until 1977 when he became the parish priest. During his brief ministry he became much loved by all sections of the community on account of his kindness, compassion and concern for others.

He saw the need for hospice care in Pembrokeshire and he was working towards that aim when he became ill with cancer and died three months before his fortieth birthday.

In his memory his parishioners together with a wide variety of other friends worked hard to bring his ideas to fruition.
On 18 July 1982 the Paul Sartori charity was officially formed and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home charity which supports people in their final stages of life, together with their loved ones, is now celebrating forty years.

The Project Officer, Simon Hancock said: “We look forward to reaching out across Pembrokeshire enabling people to play an essential role by sharing their stories of Father Sartori and by volunteering to a significant heritage story for a local charity.”

The project team can be contacted by email: [email protected] or telephone: 07796973998.

Crime

Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock

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POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.

Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Health

Rising trend of private healthcare use among friends and family in Wales

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MORE than half of UK residents report having close family or friends who have used private healthcare services, according to the latest data from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN). In Wales, this figure is 58%, slightly above the UK-wide average of 55%. Meanwhile, 32% of Britons have used private healthcare themselves, with regions such as the East Midlands (64%) and Northern Ireland (59%) showing even higher familiarity with private healthcare options.

David Hare, Chief Executive of IHPN, said: “Private healthcare is becoming more mainstream, with people increasingly opting for private services to access healthcare more easily and quickly. Our findings highlight that most people in the UK know someone close who has used private healthcare, whether through insurance or self-pay. This demonstrates a shift toward private healthcare as a convenient and accessible option.”

Claims that private healthcare is becoming more mainstream in Wales

The survey found that 45% of those choosing private healthcare did so because of long NHS waiting times, while 27% preferred the ease of booking private appointments. Around 20% receive private healthcare through work, and 17% believe private services offer higher-quality care. Accessibility is another key factor, with half of respondents agreeing that private healthcare is more accessible than NHS options.

Top Treatments Accessed Privately:

  • Doctor consultation: 45%
  • Diagnostic treatment (e.g., scans): 45%
  • Other healthcare professional consultations: 35%
  • GP appointments: 34%
  • Minor operations (same-day discharge): 25%
  • Major operations (overnight stay): 16%
  • Ongoing serious condition treatment (e.g., cancer): 5%

IHPN’s Five Steps to Choosing Private Healthcare

If you’re considering private healthcare, IHPN suggests these key steps:

  1. Do Your Research: Consult inspection reports from national care regulators like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN). Scotland and Wales have independent inspectorates, available at hiw.org.uk and healthcareimprovementscotland.scot.
  2. Explore Payment Plans: Many providers offer flexible payment options, making private care more affordable.
  3. Find Local Options: Use resources such as ihpn.org.uk or phin.org.uk to locate private providers nearby.
  4. Take Control: It’s your choice; seek recommendations from friends and family or consult online ratings to find the right clinician or clinic. Your GP can also offer support.
  5. Book a Consultation: Before committing, schedule a consultation with a private provider to discuss treatment options and ask questions. Bring someone you trust if you wish, and take notes.

For more information on private healthcare options in the UK, visit ihpn.org.uk. For additional information, interviews, or case studies, contact Helen Trevorrow at 0794 000 9138 or [email protected].

Source: Statistics are from the “Going Private 2024” report by IHPN and Public First, based on a survey of 2,004 respondents across the UK.

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Health

Smoke-free ambitions clouded by concerns over illicit market

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THE UK government introduced its Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament today, aiming to create a “smoke-free generation” by prohibiting anyone born after 1 January 2009 from legally purchasing cigarettes for the rest of their lives. The Bill also proposes strict new restrictions on nicotine products, including vapes, heat-not-burn products, and nicotine pouches.

Public health experts in Wales are largely supportive of the new legislation, seeing it as a potential driver in reducing the strain on the NHS in Wales. Smoking-related illnesses are a major contributor to healthcare costs, and advocates argue that curbing smoking among future generations will yield long-term health and economic benefits. This could be especially impactful in Welsh regions where smoking rates are persistently high.

However, there is also concern about how restrictions on safer nicotine alternatives, such as vapes and heat-not-burn products, could impact Welsh individuals trying to quit smoking. The Welsh NHS has invested in smoking cessation programs that promote these alternatives, and some fear that restrictions on these products may reduce access to effective cessation tools, ultimately affecting health outcomes.

Mike Salem, UK Country Associate for the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), reacted to the news: “Whilst it is predictable that the prohibition was going to be introduced, I am extremely concerned and disappointed with how little regard the government has had for consumers’ voices, particularly the young voices.”

The Bill revives an initiative initially proposed by the previous Conservative government before the election, though Labour’s version brings in tougher regulations. The proposal has sparked debates across various groups, with health advocates supporting the measures and others, like the CCC, voicing concerns about potential unintended consequences.

Illicit market worries

The CCC has highlighted fears that prohibitions may fuel an already significant black market for tobacco products in the UK. According to Salem, 2023 saw the highest number of illicit cigarettes consumed in the country, with one in five cigarettes sold illegally. He warns that restrictions risk expanding this underground market.

“It is no surprise that gangs and illegal suppliers are already positioning themselves in this market in anticipation of the prohibition,” Salem said. He cited experiences from other regions, such as the state of Victoria in Australia, where similar prohibitions have led to gang-related violence and exposed children to criminal activities, including arson.

Impact on young people

Critics of the Bill argue that the Labour Party’s approach may negatively impact young people, whom they claim are already disadvantaged by recent policies. “The Labour Party has shown that it is the Party of Boomers, and is letting young people down,” Salem said. He added that recent increases in tuition fees and levies on alcohol and soft drinks, along with tougher employment markets, restrict young people’s lifestyle choices and increase their exposure to illegal markets.

Public health debate

Supporters of the Bill believe these measures are necessary to protect public health. They argue that strict controls on tobacco and nicotine products are crucial steps towards reducing smoking rates, improving long-term health outcomes, and reducing the burden on the NHS. Advocates also believe that limiting youth exposure to nicotine will reduce future smoking rates.

However, Salem argues that the Bill may have the opposite effect. “Not everyone can quit cold turkey,” he said, noting that many people have found success using alternative products like vapes, heat-not-burn devices, and nicotine pouches. “Restricting safer methods of consuming nicotine makes it extremely difficult for those who are trying hard to quit smoking to do so permanently and positively.”

Alternative solutions proposed

The CCC says it is calling on the government to ensure existing laws are enforced first, such as banning nicotine sales to under-18s, before introducing a total prohibition. They argue that failing to do so will lead to worse public health outcomes and put consumers and children in a vulnerable position. The Bill now moves forward for further debate, with both sides urging careful consideration of the potential impacts on public health, youth, and the illicit market.

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