News

Make cancer facilities available for locals

Published

10 years ago

August 5, 2014

nhs CANCER can be one of the most devastating illnesses in the modern world. Writing as the husband of a wonderful young woman who was recently a victim of cancer, this freelancer knows first-hand the pain, destruction, anguish, loss, loneliness, helplessness and fears that cancer brings with it. As The Herald recently detailed, local charity Adam’s Bucketful of Hope is campaigning for a Cancer Day Unit to be installed in Withybush Hospital and thus provide local residents with nearby cancer facilities – a campaign The Herald itself is staunchly backing. Having had to face the battle against cancer head-on when my wife was diagnosed, I realise the importance of what they are campaigning for. Life with cancer is a life of appointments, time-frames and regimes; basically a life of routines – and having professional support and guidance in these kinds of scenarios is invaluable. And all aspects of the process come under this same umbrella of professional guidance and support; doctors, nurses, wards, beds, drugs, treatment facilities etc. these are all vital components in the fight against cancer. These days it is easy to have an apathetic attitude towards cancer and attribute it to being an illness that tends to only afflict the older generations in the twilight of their lives. My wife was 24 years young when she lost her battle. Cancer doesn’t care what age you are, where you come from, what your lifestyle is, it can affect anyone, at any time, of any age. Period. From rudimental experience I can honestly profess that were it not for the cancer services and facilities near to home whilst my wife was unwell, I seriously don’t think I could have coped. There is no manual, no ‘Idiot’s Guide’, no training seminars you can attend to make you an expert in dealing with this sort of thing. It’s different for everyone. It’s always different. But it is important to provide patients, as well as those on the periphery, with as much support as possible. Chemotherapy treatments, for example, can last a number of hours; blood tests must be run to check immune systems. Additionally there is any manner of drug concoctions that patients will need to be prescribed and as such they will require facilities close by. When my wife was ill we were fortunate that the hospital was pretty close (around a 20 drive). But eventually even this became a struggle as she was almost perpetually in a great deal of pain. For patients having to travel several hours from home to their nearest facilities this is untenable and can prove extremely traumatic. My wife at one point was taking between 9-15 tablets 4 times a day. These had to be done at specific timeframes, so sorting out meal times became a very regimental process. New drugs would need to be collected regularly, usually biweekly and a lot of the time we were reliant on the hospital to prescribe the right drugs, as we sometimes struggled to keep up with the number of different pills she required. There were further challenges as her illness wore on and she became less and less mobile. Moving around became cumbersome and stairs became a big problem. Eventually she had to use a wheelchair to get around, which provided more issues and yet more cost for her, myself and her family. Money was also a big worry – I wasn’t working whilst she was ill and eventually her mother decided to stop work as well to care for her daughter. I had a bit in savings and was supplementing this with sick pay from my job, but the well soon ran dry. Luckily the cancer unit assigned us a social worker who was responsible for sorting out grants for us, checks to cover transport costs and sorting my wife’s application for benefits (as she was unable to work) to save us the hassle of having to do it ourselves. It was difficult for those around her/us too – her parents and family were incredible and we would often takes turns comforting each other, updating each other on drug regime’s and appointment times and generally just being there for one another. Cancer can be an expensive illness, for patients, their families and for the health service. This is why facilities such as these are vital in the struggle – it is beneficial to everybody and helps with practical matters, such as money, that patients and their families don’t even consider until they become issues. But the health service sectors business is saving lives and without investing the necessary money in the fight against cancer the battle is going to be very one-sided. Facilities such as the ones proposed at Withybush Hospital are imperative to giving patients a fighting chance of survival, or at the very least helping to prolong their lives somewhat. My wife’s original survival prognosis was 4-5 months, due to the support and facilities she was given she fought for 11 months, and I will always be grateful that we had that extra time together. She deserved it. All patients do.

News

Council agrees change to long-term empty properties council tax premium

Published

3 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL have voted to revise and simplify the long-term empty properties council tax premium.

Previously the premium increased incrementally. However, Members agreed in December that from April 1^st 2025 one rate of 300% will apply to all properties that have been empty for two years or more.

Cllr Joshua Beynon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, said:

“The premium is in place to encourage the return of properties into use as much needed homes in Pembrokeshire and to reduce the impact of empty homes on the communities around them.”

The premium is in addition to the standard council tax charge and applies to all three elements – Council, Police & Crime Commissioner and Town & Community Councils.

Council taxpayers who are renovating their properties can apply for a council tax exemption which can be applied to the property for a maximum period of 12 months if the property requires major repair works or structural alteration.

This exemption means that no council tax is payable for this 12-month period.

If the exemption has already been awarded taxpayers can apply for a discretionary discount, which can be awarded up to the level of the long-term empty property premium. In such instances the standard council tax charge is still payable.

Each case is considered on its own merits and taxpayers are required to provide written details of the works required together with photographic evidence.

This discount is normally awarded for up to maximum period of 12 months.

If you wish to apply for this discount, email [email protected] or write to Revenue Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

Pembrokeshire County Council is also participating in the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme which will give owners of empty properties access to a grant of up to £25,000 if their property meets the required criteria and further information on this grant can be found online: https://www.nationalemptyhomesgrant.wales

Interest free loans are also available and further information on who is eligible can be found via https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/private-housing/empty-home-loans

News

Snow and ice alert issued for Pembrokeshire: What you need to know

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Luke Sinclair

Residents in Pembrokeshire are being urged to prepare for potential travel disruption as a yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place from 3am to 12pm. The Met Office has advised that areas above 100 metres could see a few centimetres of fresh snow, accompanied by icy patches that may create hazardous conditions.

What to Expect

The yellow warning, which indicates a medium likelihood of adverse weather with a low overall impact, highlights several potential issues:

Travel disruption: Longer journey times are likely on roads, as well as delays to bus and train services.
Icy conditions: Untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths could develop icy patches, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
Injuries: There’s a chance of injuries resulting from slips on icy surfaces.

Preparing for Snowy Conditions

To stay safe during the snowy spell, the following steps are recommended:

Plan ahead: Allow extra time for your journey and check for any road closures or public transport delays. Amend your travel plans if necessary.
Be prepared: If driving, ensure your car is stocked with essentials such as warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper or de-icer, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger.
Stay updated: Weather warnings can change quickly, so regularly check the forecast in your area for updates.

Driving in Icy Conditions

Navigating icy roads requires caution and preparation. Here are some tips for driving safely:

Look well ahead for potential hazards and keep your speed low.
Accelerate, brake, steer, and change gear as smoothly as possible to minimise the risk of skidding.
Use a higher gear to help grip on packed ice and maintain traction.

Driving Safely in Snow

Snowy conditions call for additional precautions:

• Use dipped headlights to improve visibility.
• Accelerate gently and maintain a safe, steady speed.
• When descending hills, use a low gear to maintain control.

As the weather warning remains in effect, residents are advised to exercise caution, especially in elevated areas, and to follow safety guidelines to minimise risks during the wintry spell.

Crime

Man avoids jail after punching police officer twice

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A 58-YEAR-OLD Haverfordwest man narrowly avoided jail after punching a police officer twice in the face.

Police were called to a property on Dew Street just after 10:00pm on July 6, following reports of a male motorist involved in a road traffic collision.

At the scene, officers encountered Barrie Knight.

“He’d been to the Mariners to pick up a family member and clearly there’d been an incident,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“For some reason, the police came to his address, and [Barrie Knight] threw his fist towards one of the officers, who felt a sharp pain to his nose, where contact was made.”

Ms James explained that the officer was struck at least twice, although no visible injuries were caused.

“It was more luck than judgement that he wasn’t hurt, and this should not be tolerated,” she added.

When asked to provide a breath sample, Knight refused.

“He was taken to the police station, where officers again tried to obtain breath samples from him, but there was a deliberate refusal,” Ms James continued.

Knight pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, was disqualified from driving for 18 months, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the officer, a £154 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.