News

Out-of-hours surgery at Withybush Hospital ended due to ‘staff shortages’

Published

3 years ago

May 17, 2023

THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD has been contacted by several sources close to Withybush General Hospital expressing concern that the Health Board is withdrawing yet another important service – this time by stealth.

The Herald understands that staff have been asked not to talk about the changes, which were implemented on May 1.

Our source told us: “The Health Board have been using bullying tactics. The staff in certain parts of Withybush Hospital are aware of what I am about to tell you, but they are not allowed to tell anybody. “As of the start of this month Withybush has no longer got emergency surgery from 5pm. “No out of hours surgery will also mean no high dependency units or ICU beds at our hospital.”

Our source added: “Patients admitted after hours with any acute surgical issues will be transferred to Glangwili.”

However, the Health Board has responded to questions put to it by this newspaper this week, saying that although the changes have taken place they are temporary and down to staff shortages and long term sickness.

Andrew Carruthers, Hywel Dda University Health Board Executive Director of Operations, said: “A temporary change to emergency out-of-hours surgery at Withybush Hospital was introduced on 1 May 2023 in response to the fragility of the out of hours emergency on-call consultant rota.

“Mitigations are in place to minimise risks to patient safety as the out of hours on-call consultant surgical staff rota has become unsustainable due to staff vacancies and long-term sickness, despite sustained efforts to recruit to the positions.

“There is no change to how patients access care at Withybush Hospital. In the rare cases where individuals require emergency surgery out of hours, they would be stabilised and transported to Glangwili or Bronglais hospitals before returning to Withybush Hospital.

“A team of surgical doctors at Withybush Hospital continues to provide 24/7 emergency surgical cover for patients with consultant teams at Glangwili and Bronglais hospitals providing support and advice remotely.

“As a result of the temporary change, patients accessing the emergency department at Withybush Hospital will either be treated and discharged; admitted (or discharged to return) for ambulatory surgery the next morning; admitted under surgery (or medicine) department for medical management of conditions not requiring surgery or transferred to Glangwili or Bronglais hospitals if advised by the Withybush surgical team.

The board in their statement highlighted that the current national guidelines discourage performing surgeries out of hours as a general practice.

“The health board aims to adhere to this guidance to ensure improved patient outcomes”, they said

They added that the expected number of individuals affected by this temporary change is anticipated to be minimal, and that thus far, no patients have been relocated to Glangwili or Bronglais hospitals as a direct consequence of this alteration.

Hywell Dda University Health Board has refuted any claims of instructing staff members not to share this information.

The temporary change, which was necessitated by staff vacancies and long-term sickness among the consultant surgical team, was extensively discussed during the public meeting of the Health Board in March of this year. It was shared with the surgical team, who expressed their support.

Ongoing communication with affected staff groups is being maintained to monitor the situation, address any concerns, and continue recruitment efforts in this area.

As the temporary change solely impacts operational procedures and does not affect patients’ access to services, the health board is communicating the alteration to staff members and will directly inform affected patients when required.

Any allegations of bullying are taken seriously, and individuals who believe they have been subjected to such behavior are encouraged to raise their concerns with their line manager or through the health board’s confidential staff helpline.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.