News
Assurances sought over health board review

Mark Tierny: “I will play an active role”
A LABOUR Assembly candidate has written to Hywel Dda seeking assurances over the transparency of an upcoming review.
Marc Tierney, who will be standing in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire has contacted the Hywel Dda Chief Executive Steve Moore after an independent evaluation of the changes in women and children’s healthcare in west Wales was announced at a meeting in Withybush Hospital last Thursday (May 28).
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) are due to undertake an independent evaluation. Hywel Dda has said that the review will ‘provide an impartial and expert evaluation, including representation from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, plus a midwifery, paediatric and neonatal nursing view, and a lay representative.’
The evaluation was commissioned by Hywel Dda University Health Board following a request by the Welsh Government Health Minister in January 2014 for a formal evaluation after 12 months of the service change on the ‘the impact of the revised neonatal service on newborn outcomes and patient experience’.
Changes to neonatal and maternity services were made in August 2014, when the University Health Board created a single site Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, and established a Midwife Led Unit in Withybush Hospital, with all high risk pregnancies being scheduled for birth, or transferred as necessary, to a Consultant Led Unit at Glangwili Hospital.
In October, the University Health Board also made changes to paediatric services, establishing a Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (or assessment unit) in Withybush Hospital, open 10am- 10pm seven days a week, and a PACU and inpatient paediatric ward at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen.
Marc Tierney, who was present for the announcement of the review at the Health Board meeting last Thursday, said he believed it was important that the process is both transparent and understandable by staff and patients.
“The decision and subsequent removal of services last year was difficult and many of us shared our deep concerns about the process and implementation. The new management has listened to those concerns.
“But I want to be absolutely sure that the review’s terms of reference currently being written will be made public so that patients and staff fully understand the shape of the review and what potential outcomes are possible. The health service needs to prove it can once again be trusted with the way it makes these big decisions.
“To make that a reality, I hope that the Community Health Council (CHC) will play an active role in this review and that local residents who accessed women and children’s services since last August at either Withybush or Glangwili will take part. The health service must open to listening to those patient experiences, and I urge the public to come forward – either to the CHC or the Health Board so that their views are counted.”
The evaluation, scheduled to begin imminently, will assess the services against the benefit criteria identified in ‘Your Health Your Future,’ review the impact and outcomes of the neonatal service change, and determine how the current services meet recognised Royal College standards.
Speaking last week about the review, Mr Moore said: “We acknowledge that there has been significant public concern over the changes we made to some women and children’s services last year, particularly for our population in Pembrokeshire. For this reason, as well as assurance for us as a Board and our patients, an independent expert evaluation is essential.”
Anyone wishing to share their experience as a patient, or family member/ carer, can visit www.hywelddahb.wales. nhs.uk/myexperience and fill in a survey. You can also pick one up from the main reception at hospital or request one by calling 01554 899 056.
News
Police search for distressed man in Pennar ends safely
Concerns for welfare raised in early-hours incident near Bentlass Terrace
POLICE were called to Pennar in the early hours of Sunday (Mar 29) after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man near Bentlass Terrace.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received a call at around 2:45am reporting concerns for the individual’s safety.
A search was carried out in the area and the man was later located before being taken to hospital.
The incident is understood to have happened near the garages at Bentlass Terrace, with witnesses reporting a police presence in the area between around 3:00am and 5:00am.
The force has not released further details about the circumstances, but confirmed the matter was treated as a welfare concern rather than a criminal incident.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call reporting concerns for the welfare of an individual at around 2.45am on Sunday, March 29.
“A search was conducted for the man, who was located and taken to hospital.”
The Herald understands officers acted quickly after the report was made, and the man was found alive and given medical assistance.
Crime
Driver spared jail after crash killed young couple
A PEMBROKE DOCK driver who caused the deaths of a young couple in a road crash has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 16 months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.
MacCallum had previously admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving when he appeared before the same court on 9 February.
The case related to a fatal two-vehicle collision on the A477 near Llanddowror at about 3:50pm on 13 June 2024.
The court heard that MacCallum was driving a Jaguar XKR when he lost control in wet conditions, crossed the carriageway and collided with a Ford Fiesta being driven by Adam Muskett, aged 27. His partner, Katie Worrell, aged 25, was a passenger in the car.
Mr Muskett died at the scene. Ms Worrell was taken to hospital with catastrophic injuries but died later the same day.
In a joint family statement, relatives of the couple said: “We would like to thank the emergency services who attended that fateful day and the people who stopped to help Katie and Adam. We are forever grateful to them.
“We recognise the sentence of the court, but there is no sentence that will ever bring our children and siblings back. We appreciate the work of Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to secure a conviction.
“Adam and Katie’s deaths were unnecessary. Had the defendant not driven his car in the manner that he did, they would still be with us.
“We now wish for privacy after what has been a long and difficult journey to the conclusion of this prosecution.
“We urge everyone to consider the manner and speed in which they drive their vehicles.”
PC Lucy Brookes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Following the tragic deaths of Adam and Katie, a full investigation into the collision was launched, and after consideration of the evidence it was deemed that MacCallum’s manner of driving was inappropriate for the very poor weather conditions.
“He was charged through a postal requisition in November 2025 and has now been sentenced.
“This has been a lengthy investigation into an incident which claimed the lives of two young people. While nothing can undo the loss of Adam and Katie, it is hoped that today’s sentence goes some way to providing justice for their loved ones, who have shown incredible strength throughout this process. Our thoughts very much remain with them.”
Business
Welsh Fed members engage with Labour candidate on key retail issues ahead of election
FIONA and Vince Malone, owners of Tenby Stores, in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and members of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), met with Marc Tierney, Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro and Pembrokeshire County Councillor in the upcoming Senedd elections on May 7.
The meeting on Saturday, February 28, focused on the critical challenges facing independent retailers and followed the publication of the Fed’s manifesto for the Welsh election.
Key issues addressed during the meeting included the impact of rising business rates bills on small shops, as well as the significant social and economic value that post offices and convenience stores offer to their neighbourhoods. The Malones highlighted the rising costs resulting from above-inflation increases in the national minimum wage and higher National Insurance Contributions (NICs) that have placed further financial strain on independent businesses such as theirs, and others across Wales and the rest of the UK.
The importance of post offices in providing essential banking facilities was emphasised, underscoring their role in sustaining local economies through their range of services including postal and banking as well as government services such as vehicle tax renewal and passport applications.
Additionally, the conversation touched on the pressing issue of retail crime. The Malones showed how they had taken steps to reduce this problem, including the implementation of extensive CCTV coverage and the utilisation of AI technology, but that the threat remained.
With the introduction of the deposit return scheme (DRS) in Wales on the horizon, the Malones expressed their support for initiatives aimed at improving recycling rates. However, they raised concerns regarding the inclusion of glass in the scheme in Wales, highlighting that it would be difficult for small shops to implement because of the dangers associated with broken glass and weight involved in moving it.
Vince Malone said: “I want to thank Marc again for his visit and discussing these important issues and for his clear interest. Fiona and I remain committed to advocating for the interests of small shops – as members of the Federation of Independent Retailers – working with all parties at the Senedd ahead of May’s election and beyond.”
Marc Tierney said: “Vince and Fiona are active retailers, who go the extra mile for their community and are well known for their advocacy for the independent retail sector, not just in Wales but across the UK. My visit highlighted the importance of their postal service, banking hub and convenience shop. Providing these services under one roof is exactly the type of model that can sustain services in our rural, coastal communities. I look forward to working with them in the run-up to the election and beyond.”
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January 5, 2026 at 7:33 pm
Such a well-structured and engaging article. Thank you!