News

Pembroke cancer sufferer given major lifeline by international drug company on compassionate grounds

Published

1 year ago

November 11, 2024

Pembroke cancer sufferer Josh Carter-Hewins has been given a major lifeline following international drug company – Roche Pharmaceutical’s – decision, to grant him the Glofitamab drug on compassionate grounds.

Josh, who suffers from the rare and exceptionally aggressive Burkitt’s Lymphoma, was told by his consultants that he wasn’t eligible for further treatment.

But this week, Roche agreed to grant the Glofitamab drug to the 27-year-old on compassionate grounds.

“It’s absolutely fantastic that we have been heard,” Josh’s wife, Beth, told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“What Roche has decided to do is exceptionally rare and has come as a huge shock to us all.”

The couple will now be travelling to London where Josh will commence his treatment which is expected to last between five and 12 months.

“Obviously there’s no guarantee that this drug will work, but this is our best hope,” said Beth.

Josh first began feeling unwell in 2021 when he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. He later developed chronic liver disease and in 2023, underwent a liver transplant.

He made a good recovery, however earlier this year, he once again began feeling unwell.

“His symptoms were very similar to that of his ulcerative colitis with stomach pain, bloating and a general fatigue so initially, this is what we believed it was,” explained Beth.

But further analyses showed that Josh, who is employed as a CAD technician and account manager for the traffic light company, CORE highways, was suffering from the extremely rare post transplant lymphoma – Burkitt Lymphoma. Three weeks ago he was given a scan that showed his intensive chemotherapy had failed and his cancer was showing up in more places than before. He was also told that the only option available to treat the cancer is CAR-T cell therapy.

“But unfortunately Josh wasn’t eligible because his lymphoma is driven by being immunosuppressed,” said Beth.

“He wasn’t going to accept this, so he did his own extensive research and found the drug – Glofitamab – which has been used to treat a very small number of Burkitt’s Lymphoma cases across Canada, Copenhagen, Sweden and the USA. And all those cases have gone into remission.”

Sold under the brand name Columvi, this bispecific monoclonal antibody is used for the treatment of large B-cell lymphoma. However, because it isn’t licensed for use on Burkitt’s Lymphoma, the drug can only be administered through private hospitals.

“Josh and his consultants have made a huge effort researching, contacting other Burkitt’s Lymphoma survivors all over the world, holding discussions with doctors across the globe, meeting private consultants, holding meetings at the Senedd and more. We’ve also had extensive media coverage and every like, share, message and donation has made such a huge difference. We’ve been totally blown away by the way the community has come together to help us through this very difficult time.”

Meanwhile Josh and Beth are preparing themselves for the next chapter in their fight to combat Burkett’s Lymphoma.

“The gift from Roch doesn’t include the second drug, Polituzmab Vedotin, nor any other treatment which Josh may need, so we may still need to access private treatment along our journey. So all the donations we’ve received will be used to support his treatment and other potential options, if they become available.

“What Roche and NHS England are doing is fantastic, and they’re doing all they can to give Josh a chance.

“But we still want people to spread the word of Josh’s story, and help bring some light to people like him who are suffering from Burkitt’s Lymphoma.”

Crime

Pembrokeshire man sent to Crown Court over death by careless driving charge

Published

44 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court to stand trial accused of causing a death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Beach Road, Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 18).

The court heard that MacCallum is charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving following an incident on Thursday (June 13, 2024).

No plea was entered at this stage of the proceedings.

Magistrates were told the case was too serious to be dealt with at magistrates’ level and ordered that it be sent to the Crown Court for trial.

MacCallum was sent to the Crown Court on unconditional bail, with further proceedings to take place at a later date.

The prosecution was brought by Dyfed-Powys Police. No defence solicitor was formally recorded at the hearing.

Health

NHS Wales spends more than £15.5m on agency radiographers as pressures grow

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NHS WALES has spent more than £15.5 million on agency radiography staff over the past five years, as mounting pressure on diagnostic imaging services raises concerns about long-term workforce sustainability.

Figures obtained by the Welsh Liberal Democrats through Freedom of Information requests show that spending on temporary radiographers almost doubled between 2020/21 and 2023/24, despite relatively low headline vacancy rates across Welsh health boards.

Radiographers carry out X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound scans, which are essential to emergency care, cancer diagnosis, trauma treatment and elective surgery. Delays or shortages in imaging services can have a knock-on effect across patient pathways, slowing diagnosis and treatment.

The data also highlights an ageing workforce. More than a quarter of radiographers in Wales are aged over 50, with more than one in ten aged 55 or above. In some health boards, a significantly higher proportion of staff are approaching retirement age, raising concerns that experienced radiographers could leave faster than they can be replaced.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board recorded the highest agency spend, at more than £8.1m over the period covered by the FOI requests. Other health boards also reported growing reliance on temporary staff to maintain services, particularly where specialist skills are required.

While official vacancy figures remain comparatively low, professional bodies have previously warned that vacancy data does not always reflect pressure on services, as posts can be held open or covered through overtime and agency staff rather than filled permanently.

Diagnostic imaging demand has increased steadily in recent years, driven by an ageing population, advances in medical imaging technology, and rising referrals linked to cancer and long-term conditions.

Commenting on the findings, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:

“Radiographers are absolutely vital to the NHS. From diagnosing cancer to treating people in A&E, the vast majority of patient journeys depend on timely access to scans.

“These figures show a system increasingly relying on expensive agency staff while failing to plan properly for the future workforce. That is not fair on patients, and it is not fair on staff who are already under huge pressure.

“The Welsh Labour Government must take urgent action to improve recruitment and retention, support experienced staff to stay in the workforce for longer, and ensure NHS Wales has a sustainable radiography workforce fit for the future.”

The Welsh Government has previously said it is working with health boards to improve recruitment and retention across NHS Wales, including expanding training places and supporting flexible working arrangements to help retain experienced staff. Ministers have also pointed to record numbers of staff working in the NHS overall, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in hard-to-recruit specialties.

However, opposition parties and professional bodies continue to warn that without long-term workforce planning, reliance on agency staff could increase further, adding to costs and pressure on already stretched diagnostic services.

Local Government

Essential bridge maintenance and repairs planned for January

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Works on Westfield Pill Bridge to affect A477 traffic

ESSENTIAL maintenance and repair work is set to begin on Westfield Pill Bridge, with traffic management in place on the A477 between Neyland and Pembroke Dock.

The programme of works is due to start on Monday (Jan 19) following a Principal Inspection carried out in 2022, which identified a number of necessary repairs to maintain the long-term durability and safety of the structure.

Westfield Pill Bridge is a key route linking communities in south Pembrokeshire and carries a high volume of daily traffic. While major works were last undertaken in 1998 — which required a full closure of the bridge — the upcoming refurbishment has been designed to avoid shutting the crossing entirely.

Instead, the works, scheduled to take place in early 2026, will be managed through traffic control measures to keep the bridge open throughout the project.

The planned refurbishment will include the replacement of both eastbound and westbound bridge parapets, the renewal of expansion joints, and full resurfacing of the bridge deck.

The work is expected to take no longer than three months and will involve weekend and night-time working to help minimise disruption. All construction activity will be carried out from the bridge deck and has been scheduled to avoid clashes with other planned trunk road works, as well as periods of higher traffic demand.

Two-way traffic signals will be in place for the duration of the works. These will be manually controlled during peak periods, with particular efforts made to reduce delays affecting school transport.

Motorists are advised that there may be delays to local bus services during the works, including the 349 (Haverfordwest–Pembroke Dock–Tenby) and 356 (Milford Haven–Monkton) routes.

Drivers are encouraged to allow extra time for journeys and to follow on-site signage while the works are underway.