Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Over 5000 in fight for 24 hour paediatrics

Published

on

No to cuts: A protest last year in Cardiff

AN ONLINE petition to bring back 24 hour paediatric services to Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest has gained over 5000 signatures in less than a week. 

The change.org appeal, started by hospital campaigner Myles Bamford- Lewis, was launched on social media today and has received a ground-swell of support.

Myles said: “I am petitioning the Hywel Dda Health Board and Mark Drakeford, the Health Minister to return 24 hour paediatrics to Withybush. Back in August 2014 the Hywel Dda pushed through a policy of centralisation to Glangwili Hospital. This now means that there is no Special Care Baby Unit, no 24-hour children’s ward and no 24 hour antenatal care in Pembrokeshire.

He added: “This in itself has had a negative impact on health care in south west Wales with many families being forced to travel for over an hour to reach Glangwili. This has also caused a great deal of hardship on these families, myself included, as we have been forced to drive up to a 100 mile round trip to reach these services.”

In response to the start of the online petition, Chief Executive Steve Moore told The Herald: “We have heard ourselves in our public engagement meetings, and it is apparent from the support for this petition, that there is still a great deal of concern in Pembrokeshire about the changes to some women and children’s services that were made last year. At the same time, we have received very clear independent, advice from various Royal Colleges that clinical outcomes for patients have been maintained and there is better compliance with professional standards. A review said there was no clinical sense in reversing the service changes which we cannot ignore and we are not therefore pursuing plans to return overnight, inpatient paediatric services to Withybush Hospital.

Hospital campaigners: Myles Bamford-Lewis and partner Jasmine McGinley

“We are however, making changes to improve current services and patient experience, both at Withybush Hospital and Glangwili Hospital. At Withybush Hospital for example, we are planning to move the Paediatric Assessment Unit closer to the Emergency Department, as part of a wider scheme to re-develop the hospital. This would have the benefit of improving patient flow between the Emergency Department and assessment unit and provide the ability for enhanced support by the specialist paediatric team to emergency staff.

“At Glangwili Hospital we are progressing plans for the Phase Two project to improve the environment for women and children’s services and we will be using data from patient experience surveys and seeking views on these plans. In the interim period we have provided enhanced transport services for families between the two hospitals and we hope to soon provide improved accommodation for fathers and families who may wish to wait at Glangwili Hospital for their partners during early labour.”

To sign the petition follow the link on this website or on our Facebook page.

 

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Man sentenced after admitting possession of pepper spray and knuckleduster

Published

on

Court hears prohibited weapons were found at Penygroes address

A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced after admitting possessing a knuckleduster and indicating a guilty plea to possessing pepper spray.

Llanelli Magistrates’ Court heard that Oliver Lycett, of Bridge Street, Penygroes, was before the court on Tuesday (Apr 14) in connection with the two weapons offences.

The first charge stated that on Oct 18, 2025, Lycett possessed a knuckleduster in a private place, contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

He also faced a second charge of possessing pepper spray without the authority of the Secretary of State, an offence under the Firearms Act 1968.

The court record shows Lycett entered a guilty plea to the knuckleduster offence and an indicated guilty plea to the pepper spray offence.

District Judge M Layton imposed a community order running until Apr 13, 2027.

As part of the sentence, Lycett must complete up to 10 days of rehabilitation activity.

The court also ordered the deprivation of both weapons, meaning the knuckleduster and the pepper spray are to be forfeited.

Lycett was fined £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

A collection order was made, with deductions from benefits and the financial penalty to be paid in full within 28 days.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Pembrokeshire man to stand trial accused of rape in Tenby

Published

on

Defendant denies allegation as case is sent to Swansea Crown Court

A PEMBROKESHIRE man is due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of raping a woman in Tenby town centre.

Dean Gough, 48, of Orielton, Pembroke, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week charged with rape.

The court heard that Gough is accused of intentionally penetrating the woman’s vagina at a property in Tenby on December 7, 2022, without her consent and without reasonably believing that she was consenting.

During the hearing, Gough factually denied the allegation.

The case has now been sent to Swansea Crown Court, where trial proceedings are due to begin on May 15.

Gough was released on unconditional bail.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Driver banned after cocaine remained in system following trip from MOT

Published

on

Milford Haven man told magistrates he did not realise drugs taken days earlier would still be detectable

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Ben Conroy, 22, of Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven, was stopped by police at around 5:00pm on December 12 following a moving traffic offence on Steynton Road.

A roadside drugs wipe tested positive for cocaine. Further blood analysis later showed he had 240 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine and 24 microgrammes of cocaine in his system. The legal limits are 50 and 10 respectively.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Conroy had just collected his Ford Focus following an MOT and was driving to a friend’s house when he was stopped.

After he pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving, his solicitor, Alaw Harries, said the drugs had been taken several days earlier during a friend’s celebration.

“He’d taken the drugs several days previously at a friend’s celebration and didn’t realise they would still be in his system,” she said.

“This has been a genuine learning curve for the defendant and he is determined not to come before the courts again.”

Conroy was disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Magistrates also imposed a 12-month community order, during which he must complete a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

 

Continue Reading

Crime14 minutes ago

Woman who called for help spared jail over blade offence

Court hears Haverfordwest defendant was in severe mental distress and carrying razors to harm herself A HAVERFORDWEST woman who contacted...

Community3 hours ago

Spitfire latest: Pembrokeshire flypast looks more likely this afternoon

THE LATEST public updates suggest the iconic Spitfire is now expected to leave RAF Valley at around 2:00pm today (Apr...

Crime19 hours ago

Romino’s licence revoked after illegal workers found and fire risks exposed

Takeaway in Cardigan ordered to shut by 11:00pm after council hearing backed by immigration officials, police and fire service A...

Crime2 days ago

British Transport Police widens Tenby stabbing inquiry as five arrested

Extra patrols in town as police continue hunt for answers after shocking railway station violence BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE say their...

News2 days ago

Person taken to hospital after emergency response in Milford Haven

Police say incident began in Hakin before multi-agency search at marina A PERSON was taken to hospital after a major...

Charity2 days ago

Greenacres warns it may have to shut doors to new animals over £24,000 vet bill

Pembrokeshire sanctuary says it is at breaking point and fears devastating consequences if urgent public appeal fails GREENACRES RESCUE has...

News3 days ago

Reform attacks Plaid on spending and immigration ahead of Senedd poll

Party claims Plaid’s plans would strain public finances and increase pressure on services, while rivals insist Wales needs a different...

News3 days ago

Emergency response after person enters water at Milford Haven marina

Casualty recovered as police, coastguard and lifeboat crews attend A MAJOR emergency response was launched at Milford Marina in Milford...

News4 days ago

Senedd election candidates confirmed as vote.wales goes live

Voters can now check who is standing in their constituency ahead of polling day on May 7 A TOTAL of...

Crime5 days ago

Police and partners launch summer crackdown after Tenby station stabbings

Extra patrols, more rail security and tougher action promised after violent disorder left four youths injured POLICE and partner agencies...

Popular This Week