Health

Pembrokeshire links to Chester Hospital CEO in centre of Lucy Letby row

Published

2 years ago

August 20, 2023

THE SHOCKING case of Lucy Letby, a nurse found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others, has resonated across the medical community. This national scandal has taken a local twist with revelations of its ties to Pembrokeshire.

Tony Chambers, who once held a key position at Hywel Dda health board, and was often based at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, moved on to become the Chief Executive at Countess of Chester Hospital around February 2013. Chambers was at the helm during the harrowing incidents involving Letby. According to the Guardian, he had directed senior doctors to apologise to Letby in 2017, even amidst ongoing concerns over her actions. These apologies were premised on two external reviews which did not specifically delve into Letby’s involvement in the infant deaths.

**Lucy Letby: Found guilty of murdering seven babies**

Back in 2010, as the director of planning, performance, and delivery, Tony Chambers initiated the downgrading of Withybush hospital. A leaked document from the Hywel Dda Health Board outlined long-term plans to remove histopathology from Withybush. Addressing this leaked information, Chambers stated that the report had been commissioned in light of increasing concerns regarding the “fragility” of the histopathology service. He remarked, “There is an issue around the safety and sustainability of that service. All you’ve got is a report with a range of options and a few recommendations but there’s no process around decision making, around a preferred option. We’ve tried to explain to you that safety and quality is our bottom line, but irrespective of all of that, your concern is that something is moving out.”

In 2012, autopsy and cellular pathology services were shifted from Withybush Hospital to Carmarthen. The local press acquired a document detailing the proposal to merge Cellular Pathology Laboratory and Autopsy Services. This report suggested the transfer of cellular pathology laboratory resources from Withybush to Glangwili and centralising all autopsies at the latter location. Chambers, who was instrumental in this decision, cited the need to address safety concerns. He stated, “The community health council has been fully briefed and we are currently engaging with staff and no decisions have been made.”

**Lucy Letby: Sent sympathy card to parents of baby she ‘murdered’, court told**

Furthermore, The Pembrokeshire Herald understands that Tony Chambers left his latest position with a hefty pension, estimated at £1 million. Subsequently, he held several other lucrative positions within the NHS.

The revelations of senior doctors being asked to extend apologies and express trust, particularly when suspicions loomed large, portrays a concerning picture. Chambers appears central to this narrative, with his decisions from both his tenure in Pembrokeshire and at Countess of Chester coming under the scanner.

Throughout the trial we heard that Lucy Letby’s colleagues were ordered to apologise to her after repeatedly raising concerns that the nurse may have been behind a series of unexplained baby deaths.

Senior doctors had warned for months that Letby was the only staff member present during the sudden collapses and deaths of a number of premature babies on the Countess of Chester hospital’s neonatal unit.

She was not removed from the ward until early July 2016, a year after a doctor first alerted a hospital executive to a potential link. By that time she had murdered seven babies and attempted to kill another six, a court found on Friday.

The Countess of Chester hospital NHS foundation trust is facing serious questions about how it responded to concerns raised about Letby and whether it should have acted sooner.

Hospital executives ordered a formal review into the spike in deaths in June 2016, a year after Letby’s killings began. Letby was removed from the unit the following month, and the police were not contacted for almost another year after that.

After the conclusion of the 10-month trial, a Guardian investigation based on new documents, interviews with hospital consultants and reporting from the trial, has found that: According to two consultant paediatricians, in July 2016 a hospital executive said contacting the police would damage the hospital’s reputation and turn the neonatal unit into a crime scene, after one senior doctor recommended bringing in criminal investigators.

As stated, Tony Chambers’ apology was ordered on the basis of two external reviews, which executives felt exonerated Letby. However, neither review was designed to examine whether she, or any other member of staff, was responsible for the deaths and both recommended that several deaths be investigated further. Doctors were told in early 2017 that Letby’s parents had threatened to refer them to the General Medical Council after her removal from the unit, according to internal documents.

While the grim events at Countess of Chester are a national tragedy, for Pembrokeshire residents, they also signify the need for introspection, especially given Chambers’ connection to local medical decision-making.

CONCERNS IN NORTH WALES

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS, has called for a statement and assurances from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in the wake of the Lucy Letby trial.

Letby, who worked as a nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more in a trail that ended this week.

Commenting on the issue, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS said:

“This is a devasting and shocking case which is causing a great deal of alarm in North Wales.

“Maternity services at the Countess of Chester Hospital have been used by many mothers from North East Wales over many years. So, it is vital that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board makes a statement about when it was altered to concerns about baby deaths at the Countess of Chester and whether pregnant women from North Wales continued to be referred to the hospital after that date.”

“The people of North Wales need these assurances from the Health Board and the Welsh Government’s Health Minister, given that the NHS in North Wales was in special measures at the time that concerns were raised.”

He added: “We also need to know what action is being taken to ensure that there is full disclosure of such concerns in the future when cross border healthcare arrangements are in place between one NHS body and another to ensure that patients are protected from unsure risk of harm.”

Health

Hywel Dda Optometric Team wins at the Optometry Wales Awards 2025

Published

20 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD’S Optometric Team has been honoured with the Health Board Support Award at the Optometry Wales Awards 2025.

The award – sponsored by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) – was presented by BBC Wales broadcaster Lucy Owen during a ceremony held in Cardiff on 29 November 2025.

Organised by Optometry Wales, the awards celebrate outstanding achievement across the eye-care sector in Wales. They recognise individuals and teams whose work goes above and beyond through clinical excellence, innovation, sustainability, mentoring, and service development.

Recognising leadership and support during major reform

Hywel Dda’s Optometric Team received the award for its significant support to practices across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire during the rollout of the new national Optometry contract.

Their nomination highlighted the team’s strong leadership through the transition period and their commitment to ensuring practices were fully equipped to deliver high-quality eye health services under the new contract.

A key part of this work was developing new clinical pathways to ensure more patients could be safely managed in primary care. These pathways have improved access to timely local care and reduced the need for hospital appointments, ensuring people receive the right care in the right place.

Over 13,300 community appointments delivered

Since January 2024, more than 13,300 appointments have taken place in community settings using these enhanced pathways. Previously, many of these cases would have required referral to the hospital eye service. Now, an average of only 13.9% of patients require hospital referral — a significant shift demonstrating the positive impact of strengthened community-based care.

The team has also played a central role in developing Optometry Collaboratives, bringing together local practices to share ideas, improve services, and meet the needs of the local population.

“A fantastic achievement”

Rachel Absalom, Head of Optometric Services at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this award. It reflects the dedication of our committed team and the strong relationships we have built with practices across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
“The new pathways have made a real difference for patients, enabling more care to take place closer to home, and we are grateful to our colleagues in primary care who have worked with us to make this possible.”

Professor Philip Kloer, Chief Executive, added: “This is a fantastic achievement and recognises the vital work of our Optometric Team in supporting the rollout of the new national contract. Their leadership has strengthened local services and helped patients receive care closer to home.
“I’m also delighted to see several independent practices from our region recognised on the night, which demonstrates the exceptionally high standards of care delivered across Hywel Dda.”

Six regional wins on the night

A total of six awards were won across the Hywel Dda region. They included:

Optometrist of the Year: Andy Britton (Specsavers Haverfordwest)
Independent Practice of the Year: MN Charlton (Concept Eye Clinic, Fishguard)
Dispensing / Contact Lens Optician of the Year: Samantha Houghton (Specsavers Haverfordwest)
Sustainability Practice of the Year: Specsavers Haverfordwest
Technology Practice of the Year: Specsavers Haverfordwest

Photo (left to right)

Lucy Owen (Presenter)
Sally Hodson (Optometric Advisor, HDUHB)
Rachel Absalom (Head of Optometric Services, HDUHB)
Hannah Rowlatt (External Engagement Officer, RNIB)
John Dixon (NHS Wales Engagement Manager, RNIB)
Jaynie Scourfield (Quality Assurance Manager – Primary Care, HDUHB)
Mary Owens (Head of Dental and Optometry, HDUHB)

Health

Major investment confirmed for GP services in Wales

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Government unveils £41m boost, but practices warn pressures remain acute

MORE than £41m in extra funding will go into general practice in Wales this year following a new agreement between the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and GP leaders. Ministers say the deal provides stability at a time of rising demand — but the settlement comes against a backdrop of sustained pressures, recruitment challenges and concerns over patient access.

The package includes a 4% uplift to the General Medical Services (GMS) contract for 2025-26, in line with independent DDRB pay recommendations, and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent uplift from 2026-27. The Welsh Government says the multi-year commitment will allow practices to plan ahead, modernise systems and strengthen community-based services.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the investment showed an “unwavering commitment” to general practice, adding: “The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice staff who work tirelessly to deliver care for communities across our country. Multi-year funding gives practices the confidence to invest in the transformation primary care needs.”

However, the announcement comes at a time when many Welsh practices continue to report severe workforce pressures, rising demand, and longstanding challenges in recruiting new partners. GP numbers have fallen over the past decade, with some practices handing back contracts or operating list closures because of unsustainable workloads. Patient satisfaction with access has also declined, according to the latest Welsh GP Patient Survey.

What the deal includes

The settlement for 2025-26 comprises £37.9m of new investment and £4m in re-invested capacity funding, with the key elements including:

A 1.77% uplift in expenses, intended to help practices manage inflationary pressures in energy, staffing and running costs.
A recurrent £20m stabilisation fund to support practices facing immediate operational pressures and to prepare for wider reform under the incoming Sustainable Farming Scheme model for health.
An increased partnership premium, aimed at retaining experienced GPs and encouraging new partners into a model that some say has become less attractive due to financial and regulatory risk.
A full review of the GMS allocation formula — the first in more than 20 years — which determines how funding is distributed between practices. Some rural and deprived communities have long argued the current system does not reflect the complexity of local health needs.

Wider context

General practice remains the foundation of the NHS, accounting for around 90% of patient contacts, yet it receives a proportionally small share of the overall health budget compared with hospital services. Both the Welsh NHS Confederation and GPC Wales have repeatedly warned that without sustained investment, primary care risks being unable to meet increasing demand from ageing populations and rising chronic illness.

The Welsh Government’s own “community-by-design” programme relies on shifting more care closer to home, reducing pressure on emergency departments and supporting earlier intervention. For that to be achieved, GP leaders say investment needs to be matched with workforce expansion, improved digital systems, and clear strategies to retain experienced clinicians.

Working groups will now be set up to examine access standards, diabetes prevention and new service models.

Mr Miles said he was pleased that GPs would be “actively contributing to creating innovative care models that enhance access, improve outcomes and deliver care locally.”

GP representatives broadly welcomed the deal but have stressed that it is only one step in addressing the scale of challenge across primary care.

Health

Welsh NHS leaders hail GP contract deal as “vital step” in strengthening primary care

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Agreement secures investment, digital upgrades and better patient pathways

WELSH NHS leaders have welcomed the successful conclusion of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract for 2025-26 — and key elements of 2026-27 — describing it as a “positive example of social partnership” at a pivotal moment for general practice.

The deal, negotiated between Welsh Government, the Welsh NHS Confederation and GP representatives, sets out new investment and commitments for frontline primary care, including accelerated digital transformation through the NHS Wales App and strengthened support for population-level health management.

Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said the agreement comes at a crucial time for GP services across Wales.

He said: “NHS leaders welcome this agreement as a positive example of social partnership in action. We also welcome the commitment to accelerating digital transformation for patients through the NHS Wales App and the measures agreed in the contract to enable enhanced population health management, such as diabetes management.”

Mr Hughes added that GPs and their multidisciplinary teams remain “the front door to the NHS,” and stressed that investment in general practice is essential if Wales is to treat more people closer to home.

“Evidence shows investing in primary and community care reduces demand on hospitals and emergency care and delivers returns of £14 for every £1 invested. To enable this shift ‘upstream’ from hospital-centred care to integrated services in the community, we must develop care pathways and joint performance measures that address the full needs of individuals,” he said.

Background: Why the GP contract matters

General practice forms the foundation of the Welsh NHS, handling millions of patient contacts every year. According to the latest official figures for 2023-24:

Over 29 million calls were received by GP practices
18 million appointments took place
11 million of these were face-to-face
More than 200,000 home visits were carried out
78 million prescriptions were dispensed
Over 14,000 medication reviews took place

Demand has continued to rise while GP numbers have come under sustained pressure, particularly in rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys, where recruitment remains a long-running challenge. Practices in West Wales have repeatedly reported difficulties filling vacancies and increasing reliance on multidisciplinary teams, including nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physiotherapists.

The new GMS contract is therefore seen as a key mechanism for stabilising the sector, supporting digital access, improving chronic disease management, and helping to deliver the Welsh Government’s community-by-design programme, which aims to shift care away from hospitals and into community settings.

A recent survey by the Welsh NHS Confederation found that 74 per cent of NHS leaders support moving resources from acute hospital services into primary care, community-based services, mental health and social care, reflecting growing consensus around early intervention and prevention.

What comes next

The Welsh Government is expected to outline further detail in the coming months on how investment will be delivered at practice level, including support for digital tools, workforce development and shared performance measures with health boards.

With winter pressures mounting and hospitals facing record demand, NHS leaders say the success of the new GP contract will be central to improving access, reducing waiting times and ensuring patients in communities such as Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion can receive timely, local care before conditions escalate.

The Welsh NHS Confederation represents all seven local health boards, the three NHS trusts, Health Education and Improvement Wales, and Digital Health and Care Wales.