News

Come clean over cancer cash

Published

10 years ago

July 11, 2014

Tom Sinclair

ADAM’S CHARITY SHOP, HAVERFORDWEST

A LOCAL charity, Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, has asked the Local Health Board to refund money given to it to fund cancer treatment at Withybush Hospital.

During his treatment for leukaemia, Adam Evans-Thomas campaigned vigorously to persuade the then government to pay the costs of DNA tests for bone marrow donors and, through his campaigning zeal, also helped enlist 3,000 people on to the bone marrow register. During the later stages of his illness, Adam established the Bucketful of Hope appeal, to raise money to refurbish Ward Ten at Withybush Hospital and support the construction of a new Cancer Day Unit (CDU). Adam died of leukaemia in 2004 but his campaign was continued by his mother, Chris. The charity has raised just under £650,000 towards the costs of refurbishing and building cancer facilities at Withybush Hospital. But now Chris Evans-Thomas is asking for the money back. Gross delay in the Health Board even agreeing the location of a new CDU over the last ten years has exhausted her patience. In an interview, she said that she had been given several dates for the works to start on a CDU but that nothing had ever been done to realise those plans. As a result, of the Health Board’s failure to act, she has now asked for the money back so she can crack on with fulfilling Adam’s wish to provide cancer services within Pembrokeshire. The Herald understands that the Board is unlikely to agree to her request. The Local Health Board has claimed, as it has in relation to cutting other services at Withybush Hospital that staff shortages and recruitment problems have delayed refurbishing Ward Ten and building a CDU. The Board has, however, been widely and repeatedly criticised for its apathetic recruitment practices and has been alleged by some campaigners to have engineered staff shortages to justify its plans to shift essential services away from Withybush to Glangwili, where the Chemotherapy Day Unit was refitted in 2011. The situation has been muddied by the failure of the Board to ring fence money raised to provide services in Pembrokeshire. The Board amalgamated its various charitable funds into the Hywel Dda General Fund in March 2012, with a pot for cancer treatment ACROSS the Health Board area, and now touts for donations to this charity. Hywel Dda claims that £550,000 has been dedicated to refurbishing Ward 10 at Withybush and to building a Cancer Day Unit. A spokesperson for the Board said: “The capital build is only part of the challenge as all service/units that we provide require a review of staffing to ensure that they are sustainable in the long term. “We continue to work hard with colleagues, partner organisations and stakeholders, including our charitable fundraisers, to ensure we provide the best care possible for cancer patients and will continue to work closely with them on the development of the new chemotherapy day unit.” Local campaigner Lyn Neville is unimpressed by the Board’s stance: “A Hywel Dda Charitable Funds Committee Summary Report written in 2010 stated that a decision could not be made until after the clinical review had concluded in Summer 2011. Assurances were given that the Cancer Day Unit was NOT under threat and the Chairman, Mr Chris Martin, agreed to issue a statement to provide assurance to the local population. The statement never happened and three years on still nothing happens with the CDU and Ward 10. “As it happens, Board minutes from September last year say that the announcement of £550,000 of funding in Pembrokeshire is intended to ‘appease’ local sentiment.” If that was the Board’s plan, it has spectacularly backfired. As the Herald previously reported, a further review of Cancer Services – initiated only in the last few months – is now not scheduled to report until the end of 2014. In relation to that review, a Health Board spokesperson said: “This process is not about reducing the service we offer but is about creating a more sustainable, high quality service. This may mean the way we deliver cancer services may change.” The failure to update oncology services at Withybush are rendered even more shocking in light of the Herald’s recent revelation that the Board had not advertised in good time for a replacement for cancer specialist Dr Anne Barnes MBE, who earlier this year told the Board she was retiring. A check carried out on the Health Board’s jobs website shows that while a recruitment advert for a number of general medical posts is online, the closing date for applications is July 6, with new staff unlikely to be in post much before this September. In November 2013 it emerged that outpatient appointments at Withybush Hospital for cancer sufferers had been capped. As a result, instead of attending in Haverfordwest, some patients and staff were required make a three and a half hour round trip to Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli twice a month.

Crime

Forces in Wales to have more cash to fight crime

Published

2 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WALES’ four police forces will be ‘better supported by the UK Government’, it was announced this week

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens met the chief constables of the four Welsh police forces and the four Police and Crime Commissioners for the first time together last week, days after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced more than half a billion pounds of additional UK Government funding for policing next year to support the government’s Safer Streets mission, including an increase in the core grant for police forces and extra resources for neighbourhood policing.

The reforms will restore community patrols with a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, create an enhanced role for Police and Crime Commissioners to prevent crime and crack down on anti-social behaviour. The government has also pledged to recruit 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs, delivering additional resources for Welsh forces.

On Saturday (23 November) the Welsh Secretary joined South Wales Police officers on patrol in Cardiff following the Wales v South Africa Autumn Nations Series rugby international in the city.

She saw the force’s control room in Cardiff Bay Police Station before joining officers from South Wales Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Team on patrol in the city centre as well as meeting other organisations who operate there including Cardiff Street Pastors.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: “I joined the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Cardiff on Saturday to better understand the issues they see on the front line and I have spoken to all the Welsh chief constables and PCCs and heard about the challenges they face.

“We know the public wants to see neighbourhood policing restored and for it to be properly resourced to tackle crime.

“That’s what this government will deliver and we have already announced that we will recruit 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs to do that.

“Officers and the Welsh public can be clear that the UK Government will deliver improvements across our policing and justice system that will make a real difference.”

***Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced more than half a billion pounds of additional UK Government funding for policing next year***

Assistant Chief Constable Joanna Maal said: “We are pleased that the Secretary of State for Wales has taken up the opportunity to see first hand the scale and complexity of policing our capital city on a busy international match day.

“Cardiff plays host to major events throughout the year, including high-profile music and sporting events, and we are proud to play our part in keeping visitors safe.

“However, this has to be done in addition to the significant demands of policing the wider city and communities of South Wales.”

Detailed spending plans for police forces in Wales and England for the financial year 2025-26 will be confirmed at the upcoming police funding settlement in December.

North Wales Police is one of 11 UK forces involved in a pilot of a new training programme for neighbourhood policing officers to improve standards and consistency.

The Neighbourhood Policing Pathway will help officers build on the skills they need to tackle the issues communities face every day. When fully rolled out, the training programme will be available to police forces across the country to enrol any neighbourhood officer or PCSO on.

Charity

Streaming and betting driving greyhound racing surge in Wales, say campaigners

Published

3 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ANIMAL welfare advocates have raised concerns over a sharp rise in greyhound races at Valley Stadium, Wales’ only licensed track. Greyhound Rescue Wales claims that streaming contracts are a major factor behind this increase, which has sparked renewed calls for a ban on the sport.

The Valley Stadium in Hengoed, licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) in August 2022, hosted 42 races in November 2023. That number surged to 168 last month. The GBGB, however, argues this growth reflects the benefits of regulation, ensuring formal welfare measures are in place for the first time.

Welfare concerns linger

Tim Doyle, CEO of Greyhound Rescue Wales, dismissed the notion of greyhound racing as a harmless evening pastime. He said: “The main output of the Valley track, like most tracks in the UK, is to serve live streaming contracts, not to entertain crowds at the venue.”

Mr. Doyle, alongside gambling reform advocate Matt Zarb-Cousin, criticised the industry’s reliance on betting revenues, which they claim disproportionately come from individuals with gambling problems. Both campaigners also raised alarms over the welfare of racing dogs.

“It’s not regulation; it’s self-regulation,” said Mr. Doyle, pointing to GBGB data showing over 18,000 injuries and 2,000 fatalities on regulated tracks between 2018 and 2021. He also highlighted the challenges of rehoming retired greyhounds amid rising living costs and vet bills.

Calls for a phased ban

The Welsh government is expected to respond soon to a consultation exploring a phased ban on greyhound racing. This follows a petition signed by 35,000 people and a Senedd committee recommendation for gradually ending the sport in Wales. However, a counter-petition in support of greyhound racing garnered more than 10,000 signatures.

The GBGB defended its role, emphasising improved welfare standards at the Valley Stadium, including on-site veterinary care and robust rules to ensure safety and integrity. A spokesperson said: “British licensed greyhound racing contributes £166 million to the economy and remains a popular product for broadcasters worldwide.”

Industry divided

A Betting and Gaming Council spokesperson welcomed the improvements at Valley Stadium, noting: “Last year, our members voluntarily donated over £7m to the British Greyhound Racing Fund for welfare.”

The Valley Racetrack declined to comment. Meanwhile, welfare groups, including Greyhound Rescue Wales, continue to push for an end to what they describe as an “antiquated” industry, citing the harm caused to both animals and vulnerable gamblers.

The debate is likely to intensify as the Welsh government publishes its findings, potentially shaping the future of greyhound racing in Wales.

Community

Step into a magical festive adventure at Oriel y Parc

Published

3 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FAMILIES are invited to embark on a magical journey this winter with the launch of the Winter Festive Nature Trail, opening Saturday 23 November at Oriel y Parc, National Park Discovery Centre, St Davids. Perfect for explorers of all ages, this enchanting trail combines nature, fun and festive cheer in an outdoor adventure.

Visitors will uncover seven glowing animals, each hidden within a unique habitat. Armed with a special magic torch, participants will reveal and collect glowing animals as they follow the trail. Once completed, families can return to the desk to reunite the animals with their festive homes and claim a Nature Adventurer’s treat.

This engaging event runs daily from 9.30am-3.30pm until Friday 20 December. Entry is £4 per child, making it an affordable and memorable activity for families.

Adding to the festive magic, Oriel y Parc welcomes the return of its North Pole Post Box. Children can write letters to Santa, sharing their festive wishes, and drop them into the special post box. After three days, families can return to pick up a personalised reply from Santa along with a surprise from the elves’ workshop. The Free Post Office will operate from Saturday 23 November – Thursday 19 December, spreading holiday cheer to visitors of all ages.

The festivities continue with the highly anticipated Christmas Market on Saturday 7 December from 10am to 3pm. This market is a perfect opportunity to embrace the holiday spirit while browsing an array of local craft and food stalls. Live music performances by the Solva Ukulele Pirates and the Barn Howlers will create a lively atmosphere throughout the day.

Visitors will find a wide selection of unique handmade gifts and treasures from talented local makers and producers, perfect for Christmas shopping. Seasonal food will be available from the new team at The Brunch House, offering warming and delicious dishes to enjoy during the event. With free entry and parking, the market is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season and support local artisans.

Oriel y Parc is delighted to welcome visitors to these special seasonal events, offering something for everyone to enjoy. From magical trails to festive shopping and Santa’s special deliveries, the holiday season at Oriel y Parc promises to be unforgettable.

For more details on Christmas events and The Brunch House opening hours throughout November and December, visit www.orielyparc.co.uk.