News
“Significant failures” at Withybush Hospital led to 92 year old being discharged with fractured ribs and punctured lung
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”
Crime
Man arrested after police stop car on Pembroke Dock street
A MAN was arrested after police stopped a car on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday afternoon (Apr 4).
Witnesses said the incident happened at around 5:00pm outside Bargain Booze, when two police vehicles – one marked and one unmarked – pulled over a motorist.
According to one bystander, officers searched the boot of the vehicle and arrested the man straight afterwards.
The same witness said what was suspected to be Class A drugs were found, although that detail has not been confirmed by police.
The man was taken away in a police car, while an officer drove the suspect’s vehicle from the scene.
The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.
Image: File photo
News
Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:
Students to get wider access to EMA support
MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.
From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.
Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.
She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.
“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”
More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.
The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.
Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.
“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.
“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.
“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.
“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”
EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.
Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).
Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.
If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.
News
Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre
EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.
Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.
A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.
The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”
The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.
The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.
We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.
-
News1 day agoAccommodation providers in Wales will be required to register under new law
-
Business4 days agoFishguard to Wexford rail tunnel plan backed by Elon Musk firm
-
Entertainment2 days agoBBC unveils major new Welsh dramas with Tenby set for prime-time spotlight
-
Entertainment2 days agoFrom Milford Haven to the world: The story of The Evolution Experience
-
Charity5 days agoRSPCA calls for stronger animal welfare measures as Welsh Labour launches manifesto
-
Crime6 days agoGunshot fired by police during incident in Milford Haven
-
Tourism6 days agoMoving to Australia from the UK: What you need to Kknow
-
Community6 days agoPembrokeshire school allows Sikh pupil to wear Kirpan








Tomos
August 4, 2016 at 6:35 pm
“Lessons have been learnt, the chief exec will not fall on his sword as they did in the past when they had a modicum of decency