News

Shocking waiting times for ambulances and at A&E

Published

2 years ago

November 30, 2023

ONLY 56% of October’s most urgent “red calls” for ambulances in the Hywel Dda health board area failed to reach patients within the target time of eight minutes.

The startling figure, inevitably showing that patient safety at risk, emerged last week in the latest monthly performance data for the Welsh NHS.

Patients waiting for “red calls” include those with suspected strokes, cardiac arrest, or assessed with immediately life-threatening injuries or illness.

Almost two-thirds of amber call patients waited more than an hour for ambulances to attend.

Only 15% of patients on amber calls were attended to within half an hour.

Amber calls include serious but not immediately life-threatening conditions. These calls will include most medical and trauma cases, such as chest pain and fractures.

The target for ambulance performance has never been met since its introduction, and the Hywel Dda LHB area is consistently among the worst for emergency call responses.

PATIENTS CONTINUE TO WAIT

More than 2,850 patient pathways remain open in the Hywel Dda area after two years. While open pathways are not the same as the number of patients waiting, the number of patients waiting shows little sign of falling in time for the Board to meet the Welsh Government’s target of eliminating all waits for treatment exceeding two years by next Spring.

Furthermore, although the number of patients waiting more than two years for a follow-up appointment has slightly fallen in the Hywel Dda area, underlying data show an increase in the number of patients waiting between one and two years for a follow-up appointment.

A&E DEPARTMENTS STRUGGLE

Just over 3,500 patients attended Withybush A&E in the period the statistics cover.
The target performance time is for 95% of all patients attending A&E to be seen within four hours.

At Withybush, 54% received treatment in the target time.

Performance was not much better at Glangwili, where around 57.5% were dealt with on target. Over 15% of patients attending Withybush A&E were still in the department waiting for treatment after more than 12 hours. Again, Glangwili’s performance was only a little better.

THE NATIONAL PICTURE

Nationally, there were 761,111 patient pathways, with 594,000 individual patients waiting for treatment, the highest on record.

For diagnostic services, patient pathways waiting increased to around 120,400 in September, the highest on record.

Two-year waits remain at 26,439 despite the Welsh Labour Government’s commitment to eliminate these waits in March of this year.

Hitting the target to eliminate them by next Spring will take a revolution in patient care or creative manipulation of the figures. Without those, there is no hope of eliminating two-year waits.

The actual picture is far worse than those dismal figures suggest. To try and ensure it reached the target it failed to hit in March, the Welsh Government rigged the figures to exclude waiting times for major clinical specialisms like orthopaedics.

“SHAMEFUL AND UNACCEPTABLE”

Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said: “Waits for treatment and diagnostic services are the worst on record. Cancer waits are the second worst on record. These shameful statistics from our Labour-run Welsh NHS are completely unacceptable. These are real people languishing on these lists, often in pain. Wales deserves better.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson responded: “The pressure on our NHS services has continued to grow as we enter the toughest time of the year. “Although waiting lists have grown overall, it is encouraging that the longest waits continue to fall. Most people waiting on an individual waiting list (patient pathway) are waiting less than 26 weeks.
“We are pleased that patients waiting longer than one year for their first outpatient appointment also decreased. This was despite more than 4,000 referrals for first outpatient appointments made per day on average in September.
“The number of people being informed they do not have cancer also increased, but it is concerning that so many are missing the target date for treatment. The Welsh Government is exerting significant pressure on health boards to improve performance.
“It is also positive that the number of people calling the NHS 111 Wales service continues to rise. In October, the highest number of callers on record had their calls answered within 60 seconds. This helps patients’ experiences and supports people in accessing the right treatment at the right time and place.
“Although the increase in the total waiting list this month is very small, it is disappointing to see them at their highest levels on record – that is due to the continued number of people joining the waiting lists, with the highest annual number of new referrals on record in the latest 12 months.
“Health boards are working hard to tackle the longest waits, but the most urgent cases must always be seen first.”

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

1 hour ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.

Further information is available on The National Lottery Community Fund website.

Cymraeg

National Eisteddfod unveils legacy framework to boost Welsh language and communities

Published

1 hour ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW national framework aimed at securing a lasting legacy from the National Eisteddfod has been published jointly by the festival’s organisers and the Welsh Government.

The plan sets out how the Eisteddfod’s impact will be strengthened before, during and after each annual event, bringing together partners from across education, community development, culture, the economy and the Welsh language sector.

While each Eisteddfod reflects the identity of its host community, the framework aims to ensure long-term benefits are consistently delivered nationwide, rather than limited to the festival period.

The legacy programme will cover a wide range of areas including education, inclusion, digital innovation, volunteering and economic development, with new national and local structures designed to coordinate delivery more effectively.

A national project board will oversee the strategy, setting direction and sharing best practice year-on-year. At a local level, a steering group will drive community-based work, helping turn the Eisteddfod into a catalyst for lasting change.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford said the festival’s impact goes far beyond a single week.

“The Eisteddfod is far more than a week-long festival. It is a multi-year project that leaves a lasting legacy for the Welsh language and culture in the area,” he said.

“By bringing together partners from across key sectors, this framework will help deliver real and lasting change for our communities and support our ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

Nic Parry, President of the Eisteddfod Court and Chair of its Management Board, said the framework strengthens collaboration at both local and national level.

“It allows us to deliver on a long-held ambition to drive language planning through the lens of the National Eisteddfod,” he said.

“It also positions the Eisteddfod as a powerful tool for boosting local economies and supporting sustainable communities for future generations.”

Further details are expected later this year, with membership of the national project board due to be confirmed by mid-June.

A dedicated session at this year’s Eisteddfod will also gather evidence from the 2026 host area to help shape future plans for 2027 and 2028.

More information is available via the Eisteddfod’s legacy framework online.

Community

Former Neyland police officer Louis Knight dies aged 83

Published

2 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Tributes pour in for former Neyland officer remembered as a “true gentleman” and “local legend”

A FORMER Neyland police officer remembered as a “true gentleman” and “local legend” has died at the age of 83, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across Pembrokeshire.

Louis Knight, of Neyland Hill, Neyland, passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest on Thursday (Mar 5).

Mr Knight, who served as a police officer in the area for many years, was a familiar and respected figure in Neyland and beyond. In the hours following the announcement of his death, hundreds of messages flooded social media, painting a picture of a man whose impact stretched far beyond his time in uniform.

Many described him simply as “one of the best,” while others called him “a proper local legend” and “a tremendous police officer.”

One resident wrote: “A face and name I will never forget from my youth.”

Another said: “He was a tremendous police officer… a kick up the backside and a word was enough. It stayed with you.”

Others remembered his warmth and humour away from policing.

“He always had a story to tell on the way home in the taxi,” one tribute read, while another added: “Every time you asked him how he was, the answer was always ‘bloody marvellous.’”

Many spoke of his kindness and the time he gave to people.

“Louis was one of the most kindest gentlemen around. Always made time to chat,” one message said.

Another added: “Neyland won’t be the same again.”

While some reflected fondly on a different era of policing, what came through most strongly was the respect Mr Knight earned within his community — something repeatedly highlighted in tributes from those who knew him as children, neighbours, and later as adults.

Mr Knight was the beloved husband of the late Angela, devoted father of Andrew and Alison, and adored father-in-law of Frank. He was also a loving grandfather to Michelle and Laura, and a cherished brother of Jennifer, Charles and Richard.

His family said he was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday (Apr 1) at 11:30am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Louis, if desired, are for Ward 8 at Withybush Hospital and may be sent directly to the ward at SA61 2PZ.

All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven (01646 693180).

Photo caption:

PC Louis Knight pictured during a Royal Visit, engaging with local children — a familiar sight in Neyland for many years (Pic: Supplied).