News

Tenby MIU business case delayed

Published

8 years ago

December 16, 2016

tenby-miu MID AND WEST AM Simon Thomas has pressed the Welsh Government over the proposed re-opening of the Minor Injuries Unit in Tenby.

The Plaid Cymru representative has asked questions in the National Assembly.

During the summer, the Tenby Minor Injuries Unit temporarily re-opened from July 18 until September 5.

Simon Thomas, Plaid Cymru AM, welcomed the return of the summer service to Tenby but argued that it did not go far enough. He called for the unit to be open permanently.

Party of Wales Assembly Member Simon Thomas said: “We were promised the re-opening of the Minor Injuries Unit. The partial re-opening was successful. Plaid Cymru is asking the Welsh Government when it will happen permanently. I’ve tabled questions in the National Assembly seeking answers from the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport.

“Resurrecting the service at Tenby would reduce pressure on GPs locally. The issue of a scarcity of GPs is a subject I’ve also raised with the Welsh Government and last month with the First Minister.

“Re-opening the Minor Injury Unit would ease the strain on GPs and primary care providers in the town. It would make coming to Tenby more attractive for doctors to work in the area.”

We asked the Health Board to respond to Mr Thomas’ words.

Jill Paterson, Interim Director of Commissioning, Primary Care, and Therapies and Health Sciences, told us: “Earlier in the year, the board set out the governance arrangements to be followed prior to the business case being considered at a public board meeting.

“Unfortunately, both the November and December meetings of the Health Board’s Business Planning Performance and Assurance Committee (BPPAC) were cancelled, so the business case is now scheduled for the BPPAC meeting to be held on January 10, 2017, where this important service development will be considered alongside other service priorities. Following this, the business case will be considered by the board at the public board meeting to be held on January 26, 2017.

“We appreciate that there will be a number of practical, service and financial challenges to consider within this business case and, as a part of that process, the Chair and Chief Executive will be meeting with the Tenby Practice early in the New Year.”

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns told us: “I have raised this consistently with the Health board on a number of occasions.

“It is a very sensitive and controversial subject but it appears to me that we have an excellent unit in Tenby which needs to be fully utilised.

“Any solution which can help alleviate the pressure from our district general hospital needs to be seriously considered.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.