News

Withybush: Health Board deny regular ambulance diversions

Published

6 years ago

September 13, 2018

THE DIRECTOR of Operations at Hywel Dda University Health Board has strongly denied claims on social media that over the last few days Withybush Hospital has been closed to ambulance admissions.

On Wednesday night the SWAT Facebook page printed a message from a whistle-blower claiming to be close to the ambulance service.
The un-named source contacted the campaign group and said: “[It’s] very worrying indeed… it is September and we haven’t yet been plunged into the traditional ‘winter pressures'”

The source added: “But, Withybush has been closed to ambulances for the past two days, it is full to capacity and cannot take ambulance patients as there is nowhere for them to go.
Glangwili cannot take our Pembrokeshire ambulance patients because they are in the same boat and full with nowhere for people to go.
“All Pembrokeshire ambulance patients have had to go to Prince Philip hospital in Llanelli which is now struggling to cope with the extra pressures and does not have the facilities to deal with all cases as it’s A&E is limited.
“Staff are running around trying to cope the best they can but it’s not fair to them and certainly not fair to unwell patients who are having to be taken miles away and don’t even know if there’s space to take them in.
“It also means their family are often unable to travel such distances to be with them in their time of need. This situation is appalling.”

However, the Health Board said this was inaccurate and wanted to set the record straight.

Joe Teape, Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive at Hywel Dda, said: “The health board strongly refutes the claims made on social media and we would like to take the opportunity to set the record straight.
“Over the past few days the vast majority of our patients in Pembrokeshire have been seen and treated by our extremely hard-working and dedicated clinical workforce at Withybush General Hospital, a number of whom have been caused significant distress as a result of what they have read on social media.
“As is commonplace at this time of the year we are experiencing pressures at some of our acute hospital sites, and in line with our usual escalation procedures a small number of appropriate patients have been diverted to Glangwili and Prince Philip hospitals to ensure that we can accommodate our patients safely. The same protocol is followed on occasions when patients need to be diverted to Withybush.
“The health board has a responsibility to ensure that we deliver services which are clinically safe and put patients at the heart of everything that we do. Through joint working with internal and external partners, including our colleagues at WAST, the position has now improved and no diverts are currently in place. We would like to thank all of our staff and external colleagues for their support and hard work over this busy period.”

News

Careers Wales launches Enterprise Troopers competition for primary schools

Published

22 mins ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAREERS WALES, in partnership with the Welsh Government’s Youth Entrepreneurship programme, Big Ideas Wales, has announced the launch of the 2024-25 Enterprise Troopers Primary School Competition. The competition invites primary schools across Wales to compete for cash prizes of up to £2,500, with additional awards for runners-up.

The challenge celebrates creativity, sustainability, and community impact, encouraging schools to foster entrepreneurial thinking in their pupils. Schools excelling in innovative approaches will be recognised in three categories:

Best Enterprise School for ECO/Sustainability
Best Enterprise School for Community/Social Impact
Best Enterprise School for Creativity/Innovation

Fostering skills for the future

The competition aims to nurture entrepreneurial attitudes in young learners, focusing on creativity, problem-solving, communication, and organisational skills while enhancing literacy and numeracy. Participating schools will receive a digital entry pack containing tailored resources for lower and upper primary age groups. These materials, aligned with the Welsh curriculum, inspire students and teachers to explore enterprise by developing business ideas, making sales, and supporting their local communities.

Schools showcasing their enterprise projects in the Enterprise Troopers gallery will also be eligible for monthly spot prizes.

Inspiring educators and students

Mark Owen, Head of Services to Stakeholders at Careers Wales, said: “We’re thrilled to launch the Enterprise Troopers Primary School competition for 2024-25. For over a decade, this initiative has provided learners with a unique opportunity to explore enterprise, build essential skills, and make a difference in their communities. It’s also a chance for schools to gain recognition for their entrepreneurial achievements and inspire others.”

Carys Davies, Enterprise Lead at Halfway Primary School, praised the programme, saying:
“Pupils developed entrepreneurial skills in an authentic and fun way. It was amazing to see their confidence grow—whether mathematically minded or creatively inclined, every learner contributed and gained valuable insights. We’re excited to build on this experience and expand our enterprise opportunities.”

Key details:

Open to all primary schools in Wales.
Suitable for schools with enterprise clubs, past participants, or newcomers.
Projects must be pupil-led and active between 1 January 2024 and 16 June 2025.
Winners will be announced in July 2025.

Schools can register and find more information at The Enterprise Troopers | Business Wales – Big Ideas.

Take the first step in empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs—register today!

Crime

Sentencing delay for woman who killed baby Mabli in crash

Published

50 mins ago

November 26, 2024

Court Reporter

THE SENTENCING of a woman who killed a baby in a crash outside Withybush Hospital has been postponed after she suffered a suspected heart attack.

Bridget Carole Curtis, 70, of Begelly, was scheduled to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday after admitting to causing the death of eight-month-old Mabli Cariad Hall by dangerous driving.

Mabli sustained severe traumatic brain injuries when she was struck by a white BMW while in her pram at the hospital’s front entrance on June 1 last year. She was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and later transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where she died in the early hours of June 25.

Curtis was reported to have suffered a suspected heart attack on the morning of her sentencing and is currently being treated in hospital. The hearing has been adjourned and will resume on December 5.

News

Saundersfoot volunteers turn washed-up plastic into beach art

Published

1 hour ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HUNDREDS of pieces of plastic, once potential pollutants, found a new purpose on Pembrokeshire’s shores as they were transformed into a striking fish-shaped artwork. The temporary installation appeared on Saundersfoot beach, created by volunteers from Saundersfoot RNLI and Julie Davies of The Beach HeART Project.

Originally planning an early morning beach clean, the group found the high tide had left little to collect aside from a few cigarette butts. This gave them an opportunity to get creative, using Julie’s collection of 362 previously gathered plastic items to craft the unique design.

Julie said: “It became an instant talking point for beachgoers, many of whom were amazed by the variety of items used. These included bottle tops, sports drink lids, shotgun cartridges, sun lotion pumps, straws, ice cream spoons, fishing line and rope, foam bullets, sand toys, golf tees, cider keg caps, printer ink caps, a Barbie arm, Kinder eggs, a plastic carrot, and even a 2007 lobster tag from Maine!”

SPARKING AWARENESS

The artwork not only captured attention but also ignited discussions about ocean pollution.

Julie added: “We had some fun debating how anatomically correct the fish was—not helped by dogs who came to investigate and tried to steal the broken balls we used. It was rewarding to see beachgoers taking away even the smallest pieces of plastic they found on their walk.”

FUNDRAISING WITH FISH AND CHIPS

The RNLI Saundersfoot branch is known for its creative initiatives, and its next event continues this tradition. A Fish and Chip Lunch fundraiser will take place at The Hean in Saundersfoot this Friday (Nov 29).

Tickets are priced at £15, covering fish, chips, peas, unlimited bread and butter, and a choice of tea, coffee, or squash. The event will feature a raffle, table quiz, and nautical background music.

Reservations can be made by contacting James on 07824 320145.