Community

Winter ops axe causes outrage

Published

12 years ago

October 28, 2013

HYWEL Dda Local Health Board announced controversial plans this week to make major cutbacks to winter services that will profoundly affect patients awaiting operations at Withybush Hospital.
The decision has enraged local politicians, as well as a leading union, along with scores of patients who will be adversely affected by these cuts.
In a press release issued on their web site, the Hywel Dda LHB said: “The Health Board has a responsibility to ensure continued safe care at this time of increased pressure, and is putting plans in place now to respond to the anticipated increase in activity over the winter season.
‘’In previous winters, we had up to 160 additional beds in place often being managed by temporary staff. This is not a position we can sustain this year. To address this, we propose to manage our bed stock and elective surgical lists in a better way during the busiest months this winter to ensure we have the staff capacity to manage emergencies and the most urgent patients.
‘’We would like to reassure patients that if they have an urgent clinical need they will be seen. Emergency and cancer procedures, the vast majority of orthopaedic day surgery and other elective procedures will also continue.”
The proposals announced by the Health Board state that the use of theatres will be for those with the highest clinical need and they will be reviewing and re-profiling patients on orthopaedic waiting lists, as well as increasing day surgery cases and maximising alternative methods of treatment through non-surgical pathways.
They further state they will monitor the position on a weekly basis and review that position towards the end of the winter surge. There will also be a non-emergency surgical shutdown for two weeks over Christmas.
One such patient awaiting surgery is Angela Burns, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM, who is highly critical of the proposals.
She told The Herald: “This shutdown will unfairly hit the elderly and vulnerable hardest, many of whom would have been waiting for months already. While conditions requiring orthopaedic surgery may not be life threatening, the constant pain, loss of mobility and pure daily effort to live with these conditions is immense.
‘’The thought of waiting another six months for my own knee replacement fills me with dread, and I know there are many, many more in far worse situations and far more pain than myself. I cannot begin to comprehend the feelings of some people who attend my surgeries to tell me that they cannot stand long enough to cook, and rely on ready meals alone.
‘’My heart goes out to these patients and their families and I will fight loudly and consistently against these plans. Labour’s record-breaking cuts and its failure to recruit staff are hampering hardworking staff and I urge ministers to put an end to these mistakes”.
The Health Service union, UNISON, reacted angrily to the Health Board plans and, Branch Chairperson, Wendy Evans, said: “The Health Board already has a waiting time of 15 months for patients awaiting orthopaedic surgery. This will clearly add at least another five to six months to their waiting time, causing further distress and possibly further complications to their condition”.
She went on to say that UNISON had immediately written to the Health Minister, Mr Mark Drakeford to complain about the decision. UNISON also suggested that, in staff meetings at Prince Philip Hospital of this week, the Orthopaedic consultant surgeons were also deeply critical of the plans.
UNISON Regional Organiser, Jeff Baker, said: “This is another example of the Health Board making a unilateral decision on service changes without properly consulting either the staff or the community.”
Liberal Democrat, William Powell, AM for Mid and West Wales, has called for clarity following UNISON’s claims, that all planned orthopaedic surgery for the four main hospitals in the Hywel Dda Health Board area have been cancelled until April 2014.
He said: “The Welsh Labour Government and local Health Boards seem surprised that winter comes around every year. Cold weather and snow can cause difficulties in the NHS but proper planning would ensure that patients are treated all year round.
‘’Many people who are waiting for orthopaedic surgery often have to endure months in pain. It is not right that they have to wait even longer because of the Welsh Labour Government’s incompetence. This is not an acceptable way to run a National Health Service”.
Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas, who sits on the all-party Finance Committee of the National Assembly, added his concern: “The scrapping of non-urgent surgery is bitterly disappointing for my constituents. It is disappointing that saving money comes before ensuring people get their operations, when the Welsh NHS has had extra money in their budgets this year.
‘’Earlier this year, Plaid Cymru highlighted the lack of action by Welsh Health Boards to recruit more doctors and more nurses from across the European Union.”
The Herald spoke exclusively to Pam O’Dare, one of the unfortunate patients who are likely to be told their wait for hip surgery is to be extended as a result of these cut backs.
She reacted angrily to what she sees as grim news: “I was under the impression my surgery would be in December or January. Now, it is likely to be put back to April 2014, and it might be a lot further on than that.
‘’I had a hip replacement four years ago and the surgeons were excellent, but the wait is very painful. The pain can be very bad and I am taking some very strong painkillers. I have a high pain threshold but this is unbearable. Why is it always about cut backs for patients?”
The Welsh Government appeared to have been caught on the hop by Hywel Dda LHB’s announcement. At questions in the Senedd, First Minister Carwyn Jones revealed he was given 24 hours’ notice of its content.
The Herald contacted the Welsh Government for further comment: “The Health Minister stated at a recent Health and Social Services Committee meeting that his expectation is for winter plans to be published by individual health boards, once they have been through clearance with their individual boards. We are writing to health boards confirming this expectation.”
Meanwhile, patients like Pam O’Dare and AM, Angela Burns, wait to find out what effect these proposals will have on an already lengthy waiting time.

Community

Young people benefit from surf therapy thanks to £3,000 grant

Published

16 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A GROUP of children and young people have benefitted from a £3,000 grant from the Community Cohesion Small Grants Fund that helps celebrate diversity and builds strong relationships between communities.

Tonic Surf, a therapy project that uses surfing and the beach as a recovery tool for children and young people aged 14-25, has been able to offer a 10-week surf therapy course to 10 service users across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, with funds provided by the grant.

Along with Walkin on Water Surf School, Tonic Surf partnered with Hywel Dda’s Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service to deliver a therapeutic surfing programme, with participants attending weekly surf sessions at Poppit Sands. They were supported by two qualified surf coaches and accompanying staff from the EIP team.

Service users benefitted from more than just surf instruction, they also got to spend time outdoors and connect with nature. They were able to learn a new skill at their own pace and engage in physical activity.

The project helped build social connections between service users, provided healthy coping strategies and supported their recovery.

Cerian Morris, Community Psychiatric Nurse, EIP, said: “We are so grateful to the Mid and South West Wales Community Cohesion Team for the funding. Although each session lasted just two hours, for many attendees the experience became a full‑day positive routine, offering structure and purposeful activity each week.”

She added: “Research has found that graded exposure to more community-based activities has a very positive impact on young people who are experiencing general and social anxiety.

“Tonic surf therapy uses the marine environment as a recovery tool for children and young people. This supports integration with the local community for a group which is often isolated and stigmatised, and it supports young people to overcome loneliness and isolation at a formative stage of their lives.

“By sharing the exhilarating experience of surfing with other young people, the project supports this marginalised group to build important connections with others in their peer group and gives them the resources and resilience to help them overcome their mental health issues.”

Kay Howells, Community Cohesion Coordinator, Mid and South West Wales Community Cohesion Team, said: “Our funding aims to strengthen relationships between communities and support those who may face isolation or barriers to engagement. Tonic Surf has created a safe, supportive space where young people can thrive, learn new skills and feel included. We’re proud to have played a small part in making this possible.”

Community

Golden Grove school’s work tackling global poverty recognised with Christian Aid award

Published

18 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUPILS and staff at Golden Grove Primary School in Pembroke have been recognised for their work promoting global citizenship after receiving a Bronze Award from Christian Aid Cymru’s Global Neighbours scheme.

The award recognises the school’s efforts to encourage children to think about global poverty and injustice while taking practical action in their own community.

Over the past year, pupils have explored issues ranging from homelessness in their local area to the environmental impact of deforestation. The work forms part of the Global Neighbours Cymru – or Cymdogion Byd-Eang – programme, launched by international development charity Christian Aid and The Church in Wales.

The accreditation scheme celebrates schools helping pupils understand the causes of global poverty and inequality while encouraging them to take part in building a fairer world.

Activities undertaken by pupils at Golden Grove have included litter-picking projects, clothes swaps, discussions with local businesses about reducing single-use plastics and inviting community leaders to support environmental and social initiatives.

Miss Thorne-Williams, the school’s Humanities and RVE lead, said: “We are extremely proud to be recognised for the work we have done as a whole school community to raise awareness of the extreme inequalities across our globe and, perhaps more importantly, the steps we can take to address these.

“The pupils learn about global issues regularly and gain an understanding of injustice in our world.

“Our world is increasingly connected, and our hope is for our children to grow as responsible global citizens who care about issues such as the environment and access to healthcare.

“The children have especially enjoyed leading whole-school assemblies based on important global values such as respect and equality, promoting events such as Black History Month and Children in Need, as well as working closely with members of our local community to support those in need.

“We would like to say a special thank you to our learners, staff, parents, governors and members of the wider community who have supported us in achieving this award. This project has been a community effort and we could not be more proud of what we have achieved.”

Rebecca Elliott, Christian Aid Wales Youth and Education Officer, said the programme helps young people better understand global inequality and their role in tackling it.

“Global Neighbours Cymru was launched with a vision of helping young people understand more about the inequalities in this world and the actions they can take both locally and globally,” she said.

“Supporting the Curriculum for Wales, it encourages learners to explore how decisions and actions impact communities in Wales and across the world, now and for future generations.

“It’s wonderful to see how staff and pupils at Golden Grove have taken this to heart and are seeking to tackle injustice.”

Schools across Wales can take part in the Global Neighbours Cymru scheme, which offers three levels of accreditation – bronze, silver and gold. Independent assessors review schools across six areas, including leadership, teaching and learning, collective worship, spiritual development, pupil participation and community engagement.

Photo caption:

Global citizenship: Humanities lead Miss Thorne-Williams with Golden Grove’s RVE ambassadors Amelie, Charlotte, Riley, Joseph, Maisie, Isabella, Freddie, Cody, Zayn, Alfred and Amelia. The school in Pembroke has received a Bronze Award from Christian Aid Cymru’s Global Neighbours Cymru scheme (Pic: Golden Grove School).

Community

Choir performs for residents at Kensington Court

Published

18 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST concert of the new season for Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir took place among friends made during a Christmas visit to Kensington Court in Steynton, Milford Haven.

After singing carols for residents in December, the choir was invited back to perform a full concert, which was warmly supported by those living at the home.

Musical Director Juliet Rossiter selected a varied programme that included songs from the musicals Les Miserables and Chess, along with favourites requested by residents, including Calon Lan. The choristers themselves were treated to a special rendition of Myfanwy.

Accompanist William Lambert also entertained the audience, performing three solo items. He concluded with the much-loved Morecambe and Wise classic Bring Me Sunshine, with residents and choir members joining in.

Deputy MC Ed Morris rose to the occasion with a lively selection of jokes, many aimed at different sections of the choir — something that may yet see his popularity questioned among his fellow singers.

Thanking the choir and musical team, Rosemary Cooper presented Juliet Rossiter with a donation on behalf of the residents.

Refreshments and cakes were enjoyed afterwards, thanks to volunteers Gail, Jackie, Gareth and Linda.

Choir rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm at St Teilo’s Church Hall in Pembroke Dock. Anyone interested in trying male choral singing is welcome to come along and join what members describe as a friendly and welcoming fraternity.