News

Winter pressures ‘already hitting NHS’

Published

10 years ago

December 29, 2015

PLAID’S Shadow Health Minister Elin Jones has called on the Labour Government in Wales to take action to sort out the Emergency Care system to prevent a repeat of the previous winter crisis. She pointed to new figures showing that in November, 2,354 people attending a major A+E unit waited longer than 12 hours to be seen. Performance against the 4 hour target was also down, with just 77% of people being seen within 4 hours – a deterioration on performance a year ago.

Figures for Scotland show that during the period from the 2nd November to 6th December, a five week period, just 56 patients waited longer than 12 hours, and performance against the 4 hour target ranged from 94.3% to 95.3% for each of the weeks. Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for Health, Elin Jones said:“Doctors in A+E departments rightly focus on those who are more seriously ill, and during winter we know that many of the cases in A+E are more complex and require more time to treat.

However, the statistics on time spent in emergency departments provide us with a snapshot of how the system is coping. That waiting times are longer than the same period last year is worrying, and shows that lessons have not been learned from previous winters. “In November, 2,354 people waited longer than 12 hours to be admitted, transferred or discharged – almost 2,300 more people than waited that length of time in Scotland over the equivalent period.

If the Labour government had ensured better access to GPs and Minor Injury Units, and better availability of out of hours cover, then many of those people could have avoided long A+E waits. “A Plaid Cymru government would train and recruit an extra 1000 doctors, which would ensure we had the doctors needed to provide out of hours GP services, as well as ensuring GPs could offer more same-day appointments.”

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.