News

Health board mulls formal public consultation over selection of new hospital site

Published

4 years ago

July 28, 2022

HYWEL DDA University Health Board will next week decide whether to hold a formal public consultation to assist with selection of the site for a new urgent and planned care hospital somewhere in the zone between and including Narberth and St Clears.

An extraordinary health board meeting is being held at 9.30am on Thursday 4 August 2022 and one of the recommendations in the report being discussed, and supported by the independent watchdog Hywel Dda Community Health Council, is to hold a public consultation process.

A huge amount of work to review five potential sites for the proposed new hospital – one in Narberth, two sites near Whitland and two near St Clears – has already taken place with public and patient representatives, clinical and non-clinical staff, and stakeholders, including other public sector organisations.

However campaigners fighting to save Withybush Hospital say that the health board has not done enough to engage with the public. They say that most people want services retained at the current Withybush Hospital site.

Ahead of the meeting, Hywel Dda Director of Strategic Development & Operational Planning, Lee Davies said: “We are so grateful for the significant work that has been carried out during the appraisal process and this will be presented to the health board next week. It will be down to the board to determine which sites should be taken forward for further consideration and a recommended public consultation as this is such a fundamental part of our service provision for future generations.”

This would be the next step towards the health board’s long term strategy for a healthier mid and west Wales. It follows submission of a programme business case to the Welsh Government earlier this year, seeking more than a billion pounds of investment in the buildings and capital infrastructure in west Wales.

A fundamental enabler to investing more in community and preventative health and care, and to deal with long standing challenges in the health and care system in the area, is the provision of a new urgent and planned care hospital.

The zone, somewhere between and including Narberth and St Clears, is the most central for the majority of the population in the south and was determined as part of the engagement, option development and public consultation held between 2017 and 2018.

The health board meeting will hear outputs from four separate land appraisal groups, focusing individually on the technical, clinical, workforce, and financial/economic considerations of the possible sites and areas within the zone.

From the reports, there is not a current ‘preferred’ site as there is a range of different evidence, impacts and viewpoints to be considered.

The technical appraisal group, made up of a majority of public from across our localities as well as staff, scored the potential sites considering weighted technical criteria and feedback from public engagement. Four of the five sites had very similar scores, with only one of the sites near St Clears scoring significantly lower than others.

Two distinct clinical groups – one for neonatal services, obstetrics and paediatrics and another for stroke services – considered the implications of siting the new hospital either further east, centrally or further west within the zone.

The neonatal services, obstetrics, and paediatrics expert group found of the three geographical areas within the zone, those furthest east presented the least clinical risk to services. Attendees of the workshop were of the opinion that a site further east outside the zone would be preferable. They were concerned that the zone presents a risk of reduction in critical mass of patients, due to potential for people in the east attending services elsewhere and resulting in a reduction in birth numbers, and neonatal and paediatric admissions. This was outside the scope of the appraisal and the geographical zone was agreed following engagement and consultation in 2018.

The expert group for stroke services reported that any area of the zone would be suitable due to the focus on pathways and how patients are treated beyond their initial admission. It did however state that for access to workforce reasons the sites central or east would be more preferable.

The workforce appraisal focused on the accessibility impact for the Health Board’s workforce. Evidence the group considered, included travel time analysis and potential staffing impact and risk. The group noted that there would be impact on those who traditionally are able to work locally to their homes and those who reasonably expect to travel linked to their professions. Different strategies to reduce this impact would be adopted as work progresses. The group found it inconclusive to say if a site further east would have a greater impact to securing a sustainable workforce overall, including for recruitment.

The financial and economic appraisal focused on appraising the process and outcomes that may be required for capital funding and next steps in land acquisition. It found as a percentage of the overall estimated costs of the development, there was little to distinguish between different sites.

The Health Board will also be presented with information about the overarching and ongoing Equality and Health Impact Assessment and how people with protected characteristics are being involved and considered, as well as how any negative impacts for people will be minimised.

You can watch the meeting on live stream, and a link will be available from the Health Board website.

News

Land Rover swallowed by tide at popular Welsh beach

Published

7 minutes ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A LAND ROVER Discovery has been lost to the sea at Abersoch after becoming stranded on the resort’s Main Beach.

The vehicle, worth tens of thousands of pounds, was spotted by early morning dog walkers on the sand at the Gwynedd coastal village before being completely covered by the incoming tide at around 10:00am.

Stranded on sand

Images circulating on social media showed the 4×4 marooned on the beach, with some locals initially questioning whether the pictures were genuine.

However, witnesses later confirmed the incident, with one RIB owner reporting: “People are paddleboarding over its roof!”

It is believed the vehicle may have become stuck while being used to recover a boat trailer or jet ski.

‘Not the first’

Locals said the incident was a familiar sight at the popular seaside resort, where vehicles have previously become trapped by soft sand and fast-moving tides.

One man wrote: “Not the first and it won’t be the last.”

Another joked: “The tide comes in. Who knew?”

Others described it as the start of the “silly season”, when coastal mishaps increase as visitor numbers rise.

Expensive mistake

New Land Rover Discovery models can cost around £80,000, while Discovery Sport models start from about £55,000.

Commenters suggested the vehicle’s off-road reputation may have given the driver false confidence.

One wrote: “It probably gave him a sense of security that it can go anywhere — we all know it can’t.”

Recovery expected

As the tide began to recede, boat owners reported the outline of the vehicle starting to reappear beneath the water.

Recovery was expected to require a beach tractor, but seawater damage means the Land Rover is likely to be written off.

One local said: “Very sad to see that something went wrong. You see many cars go into the sea to retrieve boat trailers, and you know that car will be rotten very soon afterwards.

“There’s a reason why old tractors are used.”

Despite the flood of “can’t park there” jokes and “Chelsea tractor” comments online, many said they felt sorry for the owner, who now faces what one person called a “very expensive weekend.”

Community

Cllr marks 10th blood donation and urges others to give blood

Published

10 minutes ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has urged more people to become blood donors after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

Cllr Thomas Tudor said he was pleased to receive the recognition and encouraged anyone who is able to donate to come forward.

He said: “If you can give blood, please do so.”

The Welsh Blood Service says hospitals in Wales need around 350 blood donations every day to support patients in need.

A single donation can help up to three patients, as blood can be separated into different components and used in different ways to help people recover.

The service is calling for donors from all backgrounds, including first-time donors and those who have given blood before, to help maintain supplies for hospitals across Wales.

Giving blood is described as quick, simple and safe, and remains one of the most important ways members of the public can help save lives.

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact the Welsh Blood Service on 0800 252 266, Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 7:00pm, or Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. They can also email [email protected].

Caption:

Cllr Thomas Tudor giving blood after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

News

Welsh Labour manifesto pledge: Direct London train for Milford Haven

Published

12 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WELSH LABOUR has unveiled a pledge to deliver a direct rail service between Milford Haven and London – a move that would transform connectivity for communities across Pembrokeshire.

This commitment builds on £50 million of UK Labour investment to upgrade rail services to Milford Haven.

Work is already underway, in partnership between the Welsh Labour Government and Pembrokeshire County Council, led by Council Labour Leader Paul Miller, to transform Milford Haven railway station into a modern Public Transport Interchange – delivering smoother, better connected and more accessible journeys.

Together, these upgrades will pave the way for direct London services to call at Milford Haven, alongside an hourly service and vital level crossing safety improvements delivered by the UK Labour Government.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This pledge sits alongside a record commitment to rail in Wales – up to £14 billion of investment, new stations and a transformed Metro. But this is about more than just a rail line.

It’s about opening Pembrokeshire up – bringing more people to one of the most beautiful parts of Wales, strengthening our tourism sector and creating new opportunities for local businesses to grow.

“And as we do that, we’re doing it the right way – backing a greener economy, making it easier for people to travel sustainably, and ensuring that growth benefits our communities. This is how we build a stronger future for West Wales – with better connections, more opportunity and an economy that works with our environment, not against it.”

Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, Marc Tierney added: “A direct train to London from Milford would be a game changer for our communities – boosting tourism, supporting local businesses and making it easier for people to live and work here.

“The work underway to transform Milford Haven station into a modern transport hub, alongside plans for an hourly service, shows what Welsh Labour can deliver when we work in partnership with local authorities – investing in the infrastructure our communities deserve. With new funding from the UK Labour Government and a strong partnership in place, we can now go further.

“Welsh Labour is delivering the investment and the ambition needed to ensure West Wales is at the forefront of modern, connected and accessible transport.”

The pledge forms part of Welsh Labour’s wider plan to modernise public transport, strengthen regional connectivity and ensure no part of Wales is left behind.