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News

A Pembrokeshire couple’s struggle with Lasting Power of Attorney application

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IN LAWRENNY, Pembrokeshire a tale of love, resilience, and bureaucratic hurdles unfolded when Alan Woodhouse, 71, suffered a stroke earlier this year.

As his health began to decline, he found it increasingly challenging to manage his finances. To ease his burden, Alan and his devoted wife, Donna, 58, decided to apply for a lasting power of attorney (LPA), allowing Donna to take control of his financial affairs.

“I was more or less told that he wouldn’t be able to manage paying the bills,” said Donna, expressing her concern for her husband’s well-being.

An LPA is a legal arrangement that permits someone to act on your behalf if you can’t manage your finances or fear you won’t be able to do so in the future. The application must be approved by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), but time was of the essence for Donna and Alan.

With a sense of urgency, Donna filled out all the required forms from gov.uk and sent them off to the OPG in early April. However, the couple’s hopes were dashed two months later when they learned that their application had been rejected due to a minor issue with one of the dates beside Alan’s signature.

“There was a tiny line through the 0 in the date,” recounted Donna, visibly devastated by the rejection. “I thought it had all gone through. To my mind, it was silly.”

The rejection meant that Donna had to apply for another power of attorney, with the average registration process taking a staggering 20 weeks. The OPG offered a reduced fee of £41 if she resubmitted the application within three months, but the prolonged wait left Donna concerned that Alan’s health could worsen before the forms were approved.

Donna’s experience is not unique, as thousands of people across the UK face similar challenges with LPA applications. Financial and health LPAs have faced rejection at an alarming rate of 16.5% since 2018, according to data from the wealth manager Quilter.

In the past two financial years, the number of rejections has spiked, causing distress and uncertainty for many families. During the 2021-22 financial year, a staggering 31,254 LPAs were rejected, with the following year seeing only a slight dip to 29,124 rejections. These figures are significantly higher than in previous years, reflecting the growing concerns surrounding the LPA process.

Rosie Hooper from Quilter highlighted the difficulties applicants face, stating, “Navigating through the complexities of LPA applications can often feel like a difficult path.”

The primary reason for the high rejection rates lies in families’ lack of understanding of the legal requirements outlined in the Mental Health Capacity Act, according to Nicola Bushby from the law firm Boodle Hatfield. Many applicants inadvertently include instructions that violate the Act, leading to their forms being rejected.

Bushby emphasised the need for clearer guidance for families, suggesting that better alignment with the Mental Health Capacity Act could alleviate the issue. One common mistake involves the signing order, where improper sequencing invalidates the LPA.

Sarah Lockyer from the law firm Nockolds further highlighted potential pitfalls, noting that any mistakes on the form must be corrected in a specific manner, with initials from all involved parties to validate the changes. The use of Tipp-Ex is strictly prohibited, she warned.

In response to the rising concerns, the Ministry of Justice assured that plans to modernise and simplify the LPA process are underway, aiming for quicker and error-free applications, while strengthening fraud protection.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “If an application is started on our online LPA service, any issues will be highlighted so they can be rectified before the application is printed, signed and sent in to be registered.”

“Plans to modernise and simplify LPAs are going through Parliament — meaning the process will be quicker, with fewer errors and better protection from fraud.”

As families like Donna and Alan’s continue to navigate the intricate LPA landscape, it remains essential for individuals to seek expert advice and fully comprehend the intricacies of the process. With improvements on the horizon, hope shines through that the bureaucratic roadblocks will be cleared, allowing families to secure a lasting power of attorney with greater ease and confidence.

Adapted from an article originally appearing in The Times

Entertainment

Easter at Milford Waterfront: Family fun with chocolate trails, markets, and more

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MILFORD WATERFRONT will be bursting with Easter fun this April as it hosts a variety of free, family-friendly activities to celebrate the season.

Over the weekend of Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April, a spring-themed market will take place from 10:00am to 4:00pm, offering seasonal treats, crafts, and local produce. Children can also meet Rascal the Easter Bunny, who will be making a special walkabout appearance on Saturday (Apr 5) from midday until 2:30pm.

On Wednesday 16 April, families are invited to visit Milford Haven Museum to discover the town’s rich maritime history. Afterwards, youngsters can collect a free Easter trail map and set off on a chocolate-themed treasure hunt around the waterfront’s shops and attractions. Completed trails can be exchanged for a small Easter egg. More details are available at www.milfordwaterfront.co.uk.

Throughout the Easter season, visitors can indulge in seasonal delights from a range of independent businesses, including artisan chocolates at Trwffl and Dilly’s, or natural skincare gifts from Akamuti. The waterfront is also home to a selection of boutique clothing and gift shops—perfect for finding something special this spring.

Adventurous visitors can make the most of the season by getting out on the water, with Milford Beach Activity Centre offering stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking experiences. And for those looking to dine out, the waterfront’s many restaurants will be unveiling their new spring menus, featuring locally sourced seafood and family favourites with marina views.

Stay by the sea this Easter

Right at the heart of the action is Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, which is offering a special Easter Escapes bed and breakfast deal. Guests can enjoy on-site family activities such as oversized board games, cinema screenings, and an Easter trail. Standard rooms for two start from £89 per night, with family rooms from £131 per night, including breakfast. Offer valid for stays between 4–27 April. Book at www.ty-hotels.com.

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Health

Welsh public want NHS, cost of living and infrastructure prioritised

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Report highlights top concerns and calls for long-term vision

THE WELSH public want the government to prioritise improvements to the NHS, tackle the cost of living, and invest in infrastructure, according to Deloitte’s latest State of the State report.

The 2025 report, published in partnership with the independent think tank Reform, reflects the views of both public sector leaders and the people who use public services.

For the third consecutive year, the state of the NHS and the cost of living were the most pressing concerns for people in Wales, with both issues cited by 75% of those surveyed. Social care for the elderly and vulnerable adults followed, mentioned by 48%.

Jobs and the economy (47%) and affordable housing (43%) were also high on the public’s list of priorities. One of the most notable increases was in concern about infrastructure—roads, railways and broadband—with 42% calling for improvements, a rise of six percentage points on last year.

When asked about the biggest drivers of future growth, respondents in Wales chose improving the nation’s health (45%), boosting education and skills (44%), and increased investment in infrastructure (39%).

Despite these priorities, most people were pessimistic about the outlook. Some 75% expected the NHS to stay the same or get worse, while 74% said the same about infrastructure.

Council chief executives interviewed for the report stressed that government infrastructure spending would be key to future growth. Other public sector leaders highlighted progress in Welsh transport, crediting a clear vision and strong partnership working for recent successes.

The biggest challenge facing public services, according to respondents, was a lack of funding, with 66% citing it as a concern. A further 55% expressed fears about a loss of trust in public services.

While trust in the Welsh Government remains higher than in the UK, Scottish or Northern Irish governments, the public remain sceptical about delivery. Some 63% said they had low trust in its ability to deliver major projects on time and on budget, while 61% doubted it could deliver outcomes people want.

On the question of taxation, Welsh public opinion was divided. Some 31% supported higher taxes and public spending, while 37% preferred lower taxes and reduced spending. Nearly half (47%) said they expected higher taxes and spending regardless of their preference.

Deloitte’s interviews with senior public sector leaders revealed ambitious long-term goals, including frictionless digital interaction with government services, improved collaboration between agencies, place-based planning for integrated transport and healthcare, and a shift toward long-term, commercially aware decision-making.

Dave Tansley, Deloitte’s senior partner for the South West and Wales, said: “The State of the State 2025 report shows the Welsh public remain concerned about the cost of living and the NHS. But our survey also found heightened interest in infrastructure, more so than in other parts of the UK, suggesting the public recognises the importance of connectivity to economic growth.”

He added: “Infrastructure investment supports jobs, housing, roads and rail—but more importantly, it provides the platform for long-term economic resilience. With public finances under pressure and the 2026 Senedd election approaching, the next administration faces difficult choices and the chance to deliver transformational change.”

Ian Howse, Deloitte’s senior partner for Wales, said: “Public sector leaders want bold reform—services that are joined-up, citizen-focused and tech-driven. While the Welsh Government is addressing immediate pressures, our research points to the need for a long-term vision. Leaders report growing urgency to deliver ahead of the next election, especially on economic growth, which is a positive sign for the future.”

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Health

Campaign launched to reverse sharp fall in organ donation consent in Wales

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Woman from Pembrokeshire in campaign to raise awareness

A NEW campaign has been launched to reverse a worrying decline in family consent rates for organ donation in Wales—now the lowest in the UK.

Just five years ago, Wales had the highest consent rate in Britain. Today, it lags behind all other UK nations, with a 56% consent rate—down from 77% in 2018/19—despite having pioneered a “presumed consent” law in 2015.

Under that system, unless individuals opt out via the NHS Organ Donor Register, they are presumed to have agreed to donate their organs after death. But transplant specialists say the law may have had an unintended consequence: fewer families are talking about donation.

“Many people think presumed consent means everything is sorted, so they don’t have the conversation,” said Bethan Moss, a specialist nurse in Wales. “But families are always asked to confirm, and if they’re unsure, they often say no.”

The new campaign—The Best Thing You’ll Do Today—encourages people to both sign the register and speak with their loved ones.

“It’s about peace of mind,” Moss added. “If families know what their relative wanted, they’re far more likely to agree.”

More than 1.3 million people in Wales have declared their willingness to donate organs since the register began in 1994. Over 10,000 patients in Wales have received life-saving transplants. But the lack of conversation is proving deadly.

Across the UK, consent rates are falling, but the drop in Wales is steepest. Current family consent rates are 60% in England, 61% in Scotland, and 66% in Northern Ireland.

“Talking is key,” said Joanna Chalker, a senior nurse with NHS Blood and Transplant who has worked in Wales for 16 years. “When someone has signed the register or told their family, the consent rate jumps to 90%. That can mean the difference between life and death.”

One of those lives saved was 35-year-old Pembrokeshire mum Jessica (pictured), who was diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cholangitis—a rare liver condition—in 2016. After two false alarms, she finally received a successful transplant in 2022.

“I’d always been healthy, so the diagnosis was a shock,” she said. “But I was ready. Now I’m walking the kids to school again and loving life. Organ donation gave me everything back.”

Every day in the UK, someone dies waiting for a transplant. Right now, around 8,000 people—including over 200 children—are on the waiting list. A single donor can help up to nine people.

To register your decision or find out more, visit:
👉 www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision

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