AN INNOVATIVE Pembrokeshire scheme improving asthma care for primary school children has been recognised at an event held at the Senedd on Monday (Jan 27).

The Pembrokeshire Schools Respiratory Project, which has been running since 2023 across North and South Pembrokeshire school clusters, delivers in-school respiratory reviews and education sessions for pupils, parents and teaching staff. It is believed to be the first programme of its kind in Wales.

Samuel Kurtz met with project lead, Narberth-based pharmacist Dave Edwards, along with representatives from Asthma + Lung UK to mark the project’s success.

Mr Edwards said respiratory conditions place a significant burden on children and their families, as well as on the wider healthcare system.

“Our aim is to confirm diagnoses, educate pupils and parents about their condition, emphasise adherence and inhaler technique, and ensure every child has a personalised treatment plan that gives them good control,” he said. “This project demonstrates how local health initiatives can make a real difference.”

As part of the scheme, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils received sessions on the dangers of smoking and vaping, highlighting the impact of these habits on respiratory health. Parents and school staff were offered training aligned with the National Review of Asthma Deaths recommendations and delivered through the ‘Asthma Fit’ programme.

The sessions covered common childhood respiratory illnesses, recognising asthma symptoms, correct inhaler technique, the features of good asthma control, and the importance of having clear action plans for worsening symptoms.

Schools participating in the ‘Asthma Fit’ programme have introduced strengthened asthma policies, including appointing a designated asthma lead, maintaining an up-to-date inhaler register, implementing individual asthma action plans, and ensuring staff are trained to respond quickly and appropriately to attacks.

The project also aligns with national guidance, including the RCP’s National Review of Asthma Deaths report, NHS England’s National Bundle of Care for Children and Young People with Asthma, and the All Wales Paediatric Asthma Guidelines.

To date, 583 children have been reviewed, with more than 65% showing improved asthma control scores. Treatment has been optimised for 65% of pupils, contributing to fewer hospital and out-of-hours visits. The project has also delivered environmental benefits, with carbon savings estimated to be equivalent to more than 70,000 car miles.

In the Autumn Term 2025 alone, 75 pupils received reviews, personalised action plans and inhaler education.

Mr Kurtz said: “I am delighted to celebrate the success of this Pembrokeshire project in the Senedd. It has helped children, parents and schools manage asthma better, easing the burden on GPs and emergency care. Behind every statistic is a real child seeing real improvement.

“I am extremely proud that a Pembrokeshire-based project is leading the way in asthma management and acting as a flagship for other areas across the UK. I am also pleased to hear that plans are already in place to expand the initiative to more schools over the next two years — it thoroughly deserves continued support.”

Welsh Tory leader says “only deal is with the people of Wales” ahead of May Senedd vote

THE LEADER of the Welsh Conservatives has moved to shut down speculation about post-election alliances, insisting he will not enter into any agreement with either Reform UK or Plaid Cymru following May’s Senedd election.

Speaking ahead of his party’s spring conference in Llandudno on Friday (Feb 13), Darren Millar is expected to tell members that the only mandate he is seeking is directly from voters.

He will say that if people choose the Welsh Conservatives at the ballot box, they will get a Conservative administration — not a coalition stitched together after the votes are counted.

His stance mirrors comments previously made by UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has argued that parties discussing deals before polling day are not focused on delivering for the public.

Reform dismissed as “not ready for power”

With opinion polls suggesting Reform could perform strongly in May, Mr Millar is set to acknowledge that some voters may feel drawn to the party, but he will question whether it is prepared to shoulder the responsibility of governing.

He is expected to argue that Reform has no credible pathway to running the Welsh Government, pointing to past controversies within its Welsh leadership and questioning the substance of its policy platform.

Reform’s UK leader, Nigel Farage, has previously suggested the party’s immediate aim is to become a significant opposition force rather than take office — a position the Welsh Conservatives say underlines its lack of readiness for government.

Plaid branded “focused on separation”

Turning to Plaid Cymru, Mr Millar will accuse the party of propping up Labour in the Senedd while attempting to present itself as an alternative.

He is expected to claim that Plaid’s long-term goal of Welsh independence overshadows its domestic agenda, arguing that constitutional change — rather than bread-and-butter issues — remains its central objective.

According to Mr Millar, a Plaid-led government would prioritise breaking away from the United Kingdom, a move he says would create economic uncertainty and put pensions, cross-border employment and public finances at risk.

Labour record under fire

The Welsh Conservative leader will also target Welsh Labour, which has governed Wales since devolution.

He is set to argue that after nearly three decades in power, Labour’s record on the NHS, schools and the economy has left Wales lagging behind other parts of the UK.

Among the issues likely to be raised are long NHS waiting lists, concerns about educational standards and rising unemployment figures.

Mr Millar will also reference recent remarks by First Minister Eluned Morgan about supporting the hospitality sector — comments that drew headlines — suggesting that economic challenges facing Welsh businesses run far deeper than consumer habits.

Election battle lines drawn

With polling indicating that the contest in May could be highly competitive, the Welsh Conservatives are positioning themselves as the only alternative to what they describe as “27 years of Labour failure”, while rejecting both nationalist and populist rivals.

Whether that message resonates with voters across Pembrokeshire and the wider west Wales region remains to be seen.

Emissions cut equal to 90,000 miles of car travel as community energy partnership delivers 200kWp boost

TWO Pembrokeshire schools are now generating their own clean electricity after new solar panel systems were switched on as part of a major community energy partnership.

A combined 200kWp of solar capacity has been installed at Ysgol Harri Tudur and Pennar Community School, enabling both schools to reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs and give pupils practical insight into renewable power.

The project is a collaboration between Egni Co-op, Awel Aman Tawe, Pembrokeshire County Council, the Welsh Government Energy Service, Ynni Cymru and National Grid Electricity Distribution.

At Ysgol Harri Tudur, the installation also includes battery storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, funded by Ynni Cymru and the Welsh Government Energy Service, helping maximise the use of locally generated energy.

Nick South, Education and STEM Manager at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said the panels will save around 37 tonnes of carbon annually — equivalent to driving 90,000 miles in a petrol car.

He said the combined solar output would be enough to power 2,000 LED classroom lights for five hours a day, every day.

Dr Rhys Morgan, Net Zero Carbon Project Manager at Pembrokeshire County Council, said the partnership had delivered carbon savings and curriculum enrichment without any capital cost to the council.

Sian Taylor, a teacher at Pennar Community School, said pupils had been campaigning for solar panels for several years and were “absolutely delighted” to see them installed.