News

Hywel Dda’s decision to close St Davids Surgery sparks outrage

Published

5 months ago

July 25, 2024

Hywel Dda University Health Board has decided to close St Davids Surgery, leaving patients, especially the elderly with limited travel options, without access to local medical care. Nearly 3,000 patients in the UK’s smallest city are set to be transferred to other practices ahead of the surgery’s closure. St Davids will now be the only city in the UK without medical facilities.

The health board has resolved to relocate patients from the surgery in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, prior to its shutdown at the end of October. The decision follows the resignation of the practice’s sole GP, Dr Stephen Riley, who stepped down from the General Medical Services contract in April after failing to recruit new partners.

In June, 520 concerned residents attended an open day hosted by the health board to discuss the future of GP services, where a protest was staged. The overwhelming majority of the 2,728 patients, approximately 2,500, will be transferred to the surgery in Solva, which is managed by the health board. An additional 161 patients are expected to transfer to Fishguard, while 28 will go to the St Thomas’s practice in Haverfordwest and 26 to the town’s Winch Lane practice.

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, informed a meeting on Thursday (Jul 25) that establishing a health board-managed surgery in St Davids would cost an extra £267,000 on top of the £586,000 annual cost of providing a GP service. Paterson noted that renaming the Solva practice could provide a sense of “ownership” for St Davids residents, suggesting the name “Peninsula Practice,” though final details remain undecided.

Neil Wooding, Chairman of the Health Board, stressed that the future of GP services in St Davids must be “affordable and sustainable.” The health board agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a branch surgery in St Davids, offering about 20 hours of nurse-led care and services such as phlebotomy and physiotherapy.

St Davids representative on Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Bethan Price said: “Obviously there is disappointment that the surgery is going. We will have a nurse led-practice in the city for 20-hours a week, but we do not know yet where this will be. There is concern about elderly and vulnerable people and transport, but at least we still have Solva surgery in the Peninsula.”

Senedd Member Paul Davies has condemned the health board’s decision, warning that relocating GP services could have devastating effects on patients, particularly the elderly and vulnerable who lack transport options. The board decided on 25th July 2024 to manage the dispersal of patients to surgeries in Solva, Fishguard, and Haverfordwest while continuing to develop a local branch surgery for limited services.

Davies stated, “I’m appalled that the Health Board has taken this decision. The Health Board is fully aware of the impact that this closure could have on patients, particularly those that are elderly, vulnerable, and have no means of transport to travel to a surgery further away. Whilst the Health Board has undertaken a consultation exercise, it’s clear that the views of patients haven’t been sufficiently addressed and many will have to travel further for vital treatment.”

He added, “It’s absolutely critical that the Welsh Government intervenes to support the local community. People living in St Davids should have access to GP services in their community, and the Welsh Government must now do everything possible to prevent this closure from happening. I will be raising this matter at the Senedd at the earliest opportunity.”

“For years, health services have been under threat across Pembrokeshire, which is fast becoming a blind spot for the Welsh Government and the Health Board. The people of Pembrokeshire deserve better, and we will keep fighting until this decision is overturned.”

In a detailed statement sent to the press on Thursday afternoon, Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care said: “We recognise the strength of feeling in the community and the value which the community attach to retaining services as locally as possible.

“While the Board has decided that the best option to secure stable and sustainable services is to transfer the patients to other neighbouring practices, the Board also recognised that a branch surgery should be established in St David’s to address the concerns of those patients transferring to Solva Surgery who are concerned about travelling for appointments.

“The vast majority of patients including all those living in St David’s will be transferred to Solva Surgery at the end of October.

“This represents an important step on the route to establishing a single Practice for the Peninsula, and reflects the ambition of the Peninsula Stakeholders Group which includes representatives from St David’s City Council and Solva and Llanrhian Community Councils.

“The Health Board is grateful for the ongoing contributions of local representatives and other stakeholders to the longer-term vision of a single Peninsula Practice for the wider community.

“We would like to thank Dr Stephen Riley and his team and for the care that they have provided over the years. We very much appreciate the continuing support given by the Community to the team at St David’s Surgery throughout this challenging period.”

Ms Paterson explained that a Panel met twice during the process to consider the available options, both before and after the engagement period.

“After carefully considering all feedback, the Panel supported a recommendation whereby patients of St David’s Surgery would be allocated to another GP practice closest to their home address,” Ms Paterson said.

“For the vast majority of patients this will mean transferring to the neighbouring Solva Surgery, which is a Health Board Managed Practice, with those patients living closer to Fishguard and Haverfordwest being allocated to practices at those locations.

“St David’s staff will be transferring over to Solva Surgery and we will be making internal alterations to the building to ensure it can accommodate the additional patients and staff.

“We feel that this solution will be achievable by the beginning of November when the contract terminates and would allow for a safe, sustainable and secure model to be established for the future.”

Ms Paterson continued: “We understand local people will want to know what the future of their GP services will look like, and we will be writing to all patients and stakeholders to inform them of the outcome and to share details and services for their new practice.”

Charity

Over 1,100 festive bathers enjoy Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RECORD-BREAKING number of 1,150 festive bathers have had a splashing time in the Tenby Boxing Day Swim this morning.

The fancy dress theme of Superheroes – in tribute to the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year – saw Batman, The Incredibles, Wonderwoman and a whole crew of emergency services dashing into the chilly water of Tenby’s North Beach.

RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was there amongst the huge crowds to cheer the brave bathers on their way.
The swim will be one to remember forever for one duo of dippers as they got engaged following a surprise proposal on the sand.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Philip Frith, 34, made one of his best-ever moves when he popped the question to his girlfriend, former professional dancer Victoria Tansey, 34, who is originally from Hakin.

Said swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall: “”Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.
The swim has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes in its 52-year history, and this yeae’s event will see Tenby RNLI as the main beneficiary.

Town mayor Dai Morgan said: ”It’s great to see so many people from here, and for such a good cause. I just love it down on the beach on Boxing Day. The swim is such a fantastic tradition.”
The mayor’s daughter, 18-year-old Erin Morgan, who is Tenby’s town crier, gave a special ‘cry’ to welcome the swim.

Swim chairman Sam supervised 10-year-old Sam Fecci as he fired the swim’s starting pistol – a duty usually carried out by his dad, Stuart, who was not well enough to attend.

Festive tunes and a lively commentary from DJ Steve Briers ramped up the atmosphere on the beach and swimmers emerged from the sea to be presented with commemorative medals and warm up with hot soup donated by the Giltar Hotel and served up by Tenby and District Lions.

‘Taking the plunge’ at a festive swim in Wales this morning meant more than just a dip in the sea for one happy couple.

As hundreds of Boxing Day bathers at the legendary event in Tenby dashed for the water, a magical moment was happening between Victoria Tansey and Philip Frith.
Philip, 34, went down on one knee on the sand and asked Victoria, 37, to marry him.

Fortunately, she said an ecstatic ‘yes’ to the carefully-planned proposal, which saw the couple’s special song Ocean Eyes y Billie Eilish sound out over the beach as the newly-engaged couple celebrated with a splash in the sea.

As a former Royal Marine Philip – who is now a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach – has faced some scary situations in his life but the Boxing Day proposal was up there with the most nail-biting.
“I’ve been so nervous/special moment.

Victoria, originally from Hakin, Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, worked as a professional dancer – appearing on the X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Pineapple Dance Studio: Survival of the Fittest -and before setting up her own entertainment agency.

Although now living in Guildford with Philip, she has always loved returning to her Pembrokeshire roots

“When we first met, Victoria couldn’t wait to show me all around Pembrokeshire and we have made the trip as often as work would allow us, to visit her family, go beach hopping and take in the breathtaking scenery,” said Philip.

“I absolutely love sea swimming, I believe that it is so worthwhile for your body and mind, however Victoria has never been one to enjoy the cold!

“So, on our first Christmas together as a couple, Victoria surprised me by taking me to Tenby for the Boxing Day Swim – it’s honestly one of my most fond memories from the start of our relationship!

“I wanted to return her the favour of surprising her by proposing to her at this year’s swim.”

Victoria’s mum and her childhood best friend , Sean Griffiths – who she set up Milford Haven’s Unison Dance Group with in 2004 –were on the beach to watch the proposal, with Sean bringing along the engagement ring in his pocket to fellow swimmers crowded round to congratulate Victoria and Philip, and swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall laughed: “Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.