News

Life on the waiting list for medical treatment

Published

8 years ago

November 1, 2018

A PHOTOGRAPHER has spoken to The Herald about the effect delays in medical treatment have had on his quality of life and how the long wait for him to be treated has left him permanently disabled.

In the light of the WAO report on the gross delays in treatment suffered by those on waiting lists in Wales, we spoke to Mike Hillen about his experience of being stuck in limbo on a list.

Mike Hillen, a freelance photographer who contributes to this newspaper, never dreamt he would end up dependent on a mobility scooter and in adapted accommodation when he went to see his GP with swollen knees. He thought it was just the effects of his work on a window cleaning round.

About a fortnight later, Mike was alarmed to find the bottom of his right leg had become swollen and on Boxing Day 2014 went to Accident and Emergency. The staff were not sure whether he had Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Because of the Bank Holiday, he had to wait as an inpatient for an ultrasound scan.

Mike was told a baker’s cyst on the back of his knee had burst and caused the swelling. However, his pain continued and his knee and leg remained tender. His other leg also swelled and became painful.

Three months later, Mike had an MRI scan. The diagnosis was osteoarthritis in both knees and he was placed on the urgent list for a knee replacement.

‘Urgent’ implies the idea that an operation is imminently needed.

17 months later, Mike was given an appointment for a pre-op assessment. In the intervening period, Mike had become dependent on crutches and his mobility had decreased significantly.

With a clear pre-op assessment, Mike went in for his operation only for it to be cancelled when the surgeon decided the skin on his leg was too swollen and inflamed. He was then referred to a dermatologist, who referred him to a lymphedema clinic. When he attended the lymphedema clinic, he was told that his condition had been caused by the lengthy wait for the operation and his inability to keep the leg moving.

So he would be fit for the operation, Mike had intensive lymph-assist therapy and given a succession of creams to improve the condition of his leg’s skin.

In June 2017, Mike had to be rushed to hospital suffering from sepsis.

Over the following year, Mike’s long-term dependence on crutches to move around caused problems in his back.
It was December 2017 before he had his knee replacement.

It was too late to be of any practical benefit to him. By the time it came, Mike could no longer walk unassisted.

His back’s condition degenerated while he was dependent on crutches, leaving him with spinal stenosis – a narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in pressure on the spinal nerves and severe pain. By the time he had one knee replaced, the other had degenerated to the point at which it needs replacement. Because of the back pain, he wondering if it’s worth it.

Mike and his wife, Lou.

Mike wife Lou told us: “What is worst for him is he can’t do his window cleaning round he had built up and had to give up. He also gave up on being able to finish the coast path after walking 3/4 of it.

“He is now dependent on me to drive him around and to do things for him he enjoyed doing before. I have to apply the creams to ease the swelling in his legs.

“We are now almost 4 years on from the start of this and not much further forward.”

Mike still takes photos.

He can often be seen with Lou. He might be propped up on crutches or on his disability scooter, camera at the ready, but he attends rugby matches, events and uses the accessible areas of the Coast Path he loves to capture images of Pembrokeshire.

A keen drone user, Mike has found that while he cannot clamber over rocks and down steep slopes he is still able to get to those areas he can’t get to by using remote control.

He remains upbeat and a keen rugby fan. And the good news is that after a long wait, he and Lou have finally been able to move from their second storey flat to a disability-friendly bungalow.

Local Government

Calls grow for independent investigation into Manorbier school closure

Published

6 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Councillor alleges misleading figures, inadequate insurance and poor treatment of staff

CALLS for an independent investigation into the controversial closure of Manorbier Church in Wales VC School are gathering pace ahead of a full council meeting next week.

Local member Cllr Phil Kidney has submitted a Notice of Motion calling for a full and impartial inquiry into the way Pembrokeshire County Council handled the closure process.

***Protests have taken place outside County Hall over the future of the school***

The proposed investigation would examine the length of time taken, alleged broken promises, insurance arrangements and the involvement of the council’s Human Resources department.

Cllr Kidney says the review should be carried out by someone who is not employed by the authority and should have the power to recommend disciplinary action where appropriate.

He said: “A full impartial review should hopefully stop another school being treated so appallingly.”

***Questions are being raised about the length of time taken, alleged broken promises, insurance arrangements***

The call has now been backed by Milford Haven Hakin Reform councillor Scott Thorley, who launched a strongly worded attack on the authority’s handling of the school.

Writing on Facebook, Cllr Thorley said: “The council’s treatment of this school is shocking. Misleading figures, manufactured pupil numbers, totally inadequate insurance and the worst thing was the treatment of the staff.”

The claims have not yet been independently established, but they add to growing pressure on the council to explain how the school’s closure was handled and why the fire-damaged building was not fully reinstated.

Manorbier School and the adjoining schoolhouse were severely damaged by fire in October 2022, with pupils subsequently moved to a temporary “school from school” at Jameston Village Hall.

Although campaigners had hoped the original school would be rebuilt, councillors later backed a statutory process to discontinue it.

The proposal attracted strong opposition, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition calling for the school to be rebuilt and more than 90 per cent of consultation respondents opposing closure.

At a special meeting on June 15, councillors voted by 30 votes to 23, with four abstentions, to proceed with the final steps towards closure.

***Pembrokeshire County Councillors recently backed a proposal to close the school***

The Diocese of St Davids also opposed the decision and warned that legal action, including judicial review, could follow.

Questions remain over the insurance cover in place at the time of the fire, the true cost of rebuilding or closing the school, disputed pupil and surplus-place figures, and the treatment of staff during the process.

Pembrokeshire County Council has previously said the Leader has asked the Governance and Audit Committee to review the authority’s insurance position.

Cllr Kidney is also seeking an apology from Cllr Paul Miller, the council’s deputy leader and Cabinet Member for Education.

He has asked whether Cllr Miller will apologise to staff and parents for comments made at the June meeting, including claims that children would receive a better education at St Florence and that Manorbier pupils were being taught in one room.

Cllr Kidney described those comments as factually wrong and insulting to staff who had worked to maintain education standards after the fire.

Both the motion for an investigation and the request for an apology are due to be considered when full council meets on Thursday (Jul 16).

Local Government

Memorial bench unveiled in honour of former councillor Mike Stoddart

Published

6 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN EMOTIONAL gathering was held at Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre as family, friends and volunteers came together to remember the late Mike Stoddart last week.

Members of Mike’s family joined Community Centre trustees and volunteers to commemorate a memorial bench installed in the centre’s Memorial Garden.

Mike, affectionately known as “Old Grumpy”, died on January 4, 2026, aged 85.

Alongside his many years of service as the county councillor for Hakin, Mike was also a dedicated trustee of the Community Centre and worked tirelessly on behalf of local residents.

The inscription on the bench describes it as “a place to sit and remember” and recognises Mike’s contribution as a centre trustee.

The Community Centre said it had been an emotional but special evening and thanked everyone who attended to pay tribute.

Similar memorials are also being planned to honour the late Eric Harries and John Morgan, recognising their own service and contribution to the community.

Community

Fire service issues safety warning as extreme heat raises wildfire risk

Published

6 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID AND WEST WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE is urging residents and visitors to take extra care as extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires and water-related emergencies.

The warning follows the issuing of a red extreme heat alert for parts of Wales, with exceptionally high temperatures forecast and emergency services preparing for added pressure in the days ahead.

Fire chiefs say the hot, dry weather has left grassland and vegetation particularly vulnerable, meaning even a small spark could develop into a fast-moving countryside fire.

Aled Griffiths, Head of Community Safety for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “With very high temperatures forecast across Wales this week, it’s important that we all take extra care to stay safe and reduce avoidable risks.

“We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine, but these conditions can increase the likelihood of incidents, including fires and water-related emergencies.

“Small actions can make a big difference, whether that’s using barbecues safely, disposing of smoking materials responsibly or taking extra care around open water.”

Barbecue and outdoor fire safety

Anyone using a barbecue is being advised to place it on a flat, non-combustible surface, well away from buildings, fences, dry grass and shrubs.

Barbecues should never be left unattended and must be completely extinguished and allowed to cool before ashes are disposed of.

The public is also being asked not to light campfires or other open fires, particularly in rural areas where dry vegetation can allow flames to spread rapidly.

Cigarettes, matches and glass bottles should never be discarded in the countryside.

The fire service has also reminded residents that burning grass or garden waste is prohibited at this time of year.

Open water warning

The hot weather is also expected to encourage more people to swim in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and other open water.

However, the fire service warned that water temperatures can remain dangerously cold even during periods of extreme heat.

Cold water shock can cause an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing, panic and a sudden loss of swimming ability, significantly increasing the risk of drowning.

People are advised never to jump or dive into unfamiliar water and not to enter open water after drinking alcohol.