News

“Significant failures” at Withybush Hospital led to 92 year old being discharged with fractured ribs and punctured lung

Published

8 years ago

August 4, 2016

withybushhosp AN INQUEST last Thursday (Jul 28) has concluded that there were “significant failures in the diagnosis and treatment” of 92 year old Dorothy Violet Mancey, of Kings Terrace, Newport, who was sent home from Withybush Hospital with fractured ribs, a punctured lung and a cannula in her arm.

On March 24, 2013, Mrs Mancey fell in her home and paramedics were told that she had pain on the right side of her chest, which lead to them identifying bruising and reddening.

Upon arrival at the hospital, she was examined by a triage nurse who prescribed her a blood thinner, warfarin. The on-call doctor recorded this prescription and requested to see x-rays of Mrs Mancey’s injuries.

She was referred to a senior colleague as the staff had trouble interpreting the results of these x-rays and was later discharged at 5:45am. Her records were updated to say that nothing abnormal had been found and she was prescribed diclofenac, which is an anti-inflammatory.

Her daughter, Cynthia Fells, accompanied her during her visit to the hospital.

The x-rays actually showed that Mrs Mancey had several rib fractures and a puncture of the lung – pneumothorax.

Once she had returned home, Mrs Fells realised that a cannula was still in her mother’s arm and the district nurse was called so it could be removed safely. The district nurse then told Mrs Mancey that it would not safe for her to take diclofenac as it should not be mixed with warfarin.

This lead to concerns that the x-ray had not been properly explained to the family and the district nurse contacted Mrs Mancey’s GP, who suggested she return to the hospital. The GP also looked at the x-rays herself and contacted the hospital to inform them she believed the x-rays had been misread and that the diclofenac prescription was not safe.

According to Mrs Fells, her mother refused to return to the hospital following her GP’s advice because of the poor treatment she had already received.

On April 3 the GP visited Mrs Mancey in her home where it was agreed that she should be admitted to the Parc y Llyn nursing home.

As her health worsened, she was re-admitted to Withybush Hospital on April 12. She died on April 23.

The solicitor for Hywel Dda University Health Board, Claire Rawle, said at the inquest that a full investigation into the care given to Mrs Mancey was carried out and all of the issues identified from her case had been acted upon, which included additional training to identify fractures and ensure patients are discharged correctly.

Maggie Hughes, the solicitor for Mrs Mancey’s family, said: “When Mrs Mancey was admitted it was hoped these measures would have been in place and been acted upon that night. What will give them some comfort is that these inactions are not repeated in the future.

Mandy Davies, Interim Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “We wish to offer our sincere condolences to Ms Mancey’s family for their loss. We have formally responded to the family to unreservedly apologise for the failings in the Health Board’s treatment provided to Ms Mancey in 2013 and for the distress caused to her and her family.

“We have undertaken a thorough investigation which revealed shortcomings in our management of Ms Mancey’s care, and in the discharge process.

“We wish to reassure Ms Mancey’s family that we have taken this matter extremely seriously and took immediate action to address the issues, which include improvements to our discharge processes and a programme of training on the interpretation of x-rays for medical staff.”

Mark Layton, Coroner, concluded the inquest saying there had been “significant failures in the diagnosis and treatment” that Mrs Mancey had received.

He commented on the changes implemented by the health board, saying: “If this situation emerged today, it would have been addressed in a different way”

Business

Ferry traffic surges at Pembroke Dock due to Holyhead closure

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FERRY traffic at Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal has surged following the temporary closure of Holyhead Port due to severe damage caused by Storm Darragh. The Port of Milford Haven, which owns and operates the terminal, has implemented measures to manage the increased volume of vehicles and minimise disruption in the area.

Holyhead Port, a key hub for ferry services between Wales and Ireland, has been closed since December 7. Repairs to storm-damaged infrastructure are ongoing, with reopening not expected until at least Thursday, December 19. The closure means more lorries in Pembroke Dock.

***Drivers in their lorries waiting to board ferry at Pembroke Port (Image: Martin Cavaney)***

Traffic management plans in place

Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “We are expecting to see ongoing increased traffic to Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal. To manage traffic in the area, we have opened up different areas of the Port to reduce the number of vehicles queueing at the Port entrance. We have also been liaising with Pembrokeshire County Council’s Emergency Planning team to identify other areas for longer-term parking, if needed, so that traffic around Pembroke Dock is managed as effectively as possible.”

Sawyer acknowledged the inconvenience to local residents and businesses and expressed gratitude for their understanding: “Our priority is to ensure the safe and effective operation of all traffic on the Milford Haven Waterway. We’d like to thank everyone, particularly those living in and around the Pembroke Dock area, for their understanding and support. We will endeavour to take all actions possible to keep the area as uncongested as possible.”

Concerns over Christmas delays

The closure of Holyhead Port has raised concerns about delayed Christmas deliveries, as the route is a critical link for goods between Ireland and the UK. An Post, the Irish postal service, has reassured customers that alternative routes are being utilised, and the backlog of parcel trucks at Holyhead is decreasing.

A spokesperson for Holyhead Port stated: “Safety is of paramount importance to Holyhead Port, and a thorough investigation into the extent of the damage and repairs required is ongoing. At this point, it is estimated that the berths will reopen for ferry traffic on Thursday, December 19, at the earliest.”

Local impact and advice

Residents near Pembroke Dock have reported increased congestion due to the diversion of ferry traffic. The Port of Milford Haven continues to monitor the situation closely, working with local authorities to alleviate the impact on the community.

Photo Caption: Increased ferry traffic at Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal due to Holyhead Port closure (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald).

Community

Saundersfoot Community Lottery – December winner announced

Published

11 hours ago

December 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE INAUGURAL draw for the Lottery took place on December 1, and the Lottery team had the delightful task of reaching out to all the winners to inform them of their early Christmas gift! John Manchester was the fortunate recipient of the top prize. Very happy to receive his win from members of the Lottery team, John shared that it was a wonderful surprise just in time for Christmas.

The next draw is scheduled for January 2nd. If you haven’t purchased a ticket yet, there’s still time – it only costs £5 per month. You can enter through the website https://saundersfootcommunitylotto.org/ or at The Regency Hall. If you’ve already received your number, please remember to set up your standing order, as several numbers had to be returned during the draw due to unpaid entries. The prizes reflect the total amount in the pot each month, so the more players there are, the larger the prizes!

Tickets can also be bought with cash, with a minimum payment of £30 covering six months of tickets. This can be done at The Regency Hall any Wednesday or Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Saundersfoot Community Lottery was set up in October 2024 to help raise funds to benefit the village. Fifty percent of the monthly pot goes to prizes and the rest is used for administrative costs and community events and groups. So, taking part is a ‘win-win’ – there’s the chance of a prize plus players are contributing to keeping Saundersfoot a vibrant village, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Best of luck to all participants!

Photograph L-R Sue Boughton-Thomas, Emma Price, Sarah Whiddett, John Manchester, Ray Wise, Moira Saunders

Photo credit Gareth Davies Photography Tenby

Business

Global green hydrogen pioneers choose Milford Haven as new HQ

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HAUSH LTD, a leading green energy and technology company specialising in green hydrogen, has announced Milford Haven as the location for its new UK headquarters. The move marks a significant step toward making the area a global powerhouse for green hydrogen production and innovation.

Pioneering green hydrogen solutions

Haush Ltd aims to be the first company of its kind to provide green hydrogen solutions for decarbonising land, sea, and air transportation, as well as exporting fuel to Europe. The company’s new headquarters will be established at Fleet Surgeons House, where work is set to begin immediately. The project will create local jobs and includes plans for an education centre to promote skills development in the community.

The Welsh Government is backing Haush through the HYBRID SBRI Hydrogen Port Re-Fuelling Project (HyPR). This initiative focuses on fast-tracking hydrogen production and refuelling services for onshore and offshore fleets, including the design of a permanent hydrogen refuelling solution for the Port of Milford Haven.

High-profile visit to Milford Haven

Economy, Energy, and Planning Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans toured the new site on Thursday (Dec 12). She was accompanied by Haush CEO Richard Winterbourne, Chief Technology Officer Joanna Oliver, Chief Operating Officer Adam Hill, and Chief Financial Officer Peter Kristensen.

Rebecca Evans said: “Jobs and green growth are a priority for this Welsh Government, so I am delighted Haush has chosen Milford Haven as the base for its new UK head office.

“The company’s ambitious growth plans align with our aspirations to see Wales become a global leader in renewable energy. This investment will benefit both our climate and economy, generating quality, skilled jobs.

“Haush has committed to training local residents to the highest standards and expanding their educational initiatives to benefit the wider community.”

Driving green innovation

Haush CEO Richard Winterbourne expressed excitement about the project:
“Haush is delighted to make this announcement and move forward with this groundbreaking green hydrogen production project. We look forward to working closely with the Welsh Government to maximise training and educational opportunities for the local community, equipping a future workforce with valuable, transferable skills.”

Chief Technology Officer Joanna Oliver emphasi sed the company’s innovative approach:
“Haush is operating at the forefront of green hydrogen technology and aims to play a significant role in advancing the local green energy transition.”

A brighter, greener future

Haush’s decision to base its UK headquarters in Milford Haven underscores the town’s growing importance as a hub for renewable energy innovation. With strong support from the Welsh Government and a focus on local job creation, the project promises to boost the regional economy and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.

(Photos by Martin Cavaney/Herald)