News
Health Board appeal for public to look after family members at home to ease demands
HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD has appealed to the public to look after their family members at home in order to free up beds for more critically ill patients.
The Health Board has said there is currently an unprecedented demand on care services across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.
In a statement, they have asked members of the public to look after their loved ones at home or to take a family member, who is in hospital and waiting to be discharged, home in order to free up beds to try and ease the demands.
The Health Board said the demand is leading to significant delays in care provision which is in turn leading to leading to significant bed shortages and lengthy ambulance waits at A&E departments, which also means that paramedics are unable to respond to other 999 calls in the community.
Social care and health teams are doing everything possible to support people who are well enough to leave hospital but need ongoing care.
Priority is being given to the most vulnerable, and alternative health and care packages are being offered as a short-term measure. More carers and health staff are also being recruited to support people in need.
The Health Board has said that spending as little time in hospital is better for patients and means that NHS beds can be freed up for others with urgent care needs.
Supporting older patients to get home from hospital efficiently is an important part of their recovery and it also protects them from negative consequences of hospital admission, such as hospital acquired infection, falls and a loss of independence.
A spokesperson for the Health Board said: “If you have a relative or loved one in hospital who is well enough to go home, but is waiting to be discharged with homecare and / or community health support, please consider if you may be able to help them to get home more quickly – you and your family may be in a position to support them at home.
“If your relative is waiting for a formal package of care, you may be able to offer support and care on a short term, temporary arrangement or you might want to consider whether your loved one could be supported in a temporary residential or nursing care setting.
“If you feel that this is an option that you could consider, please speak to the ward manager or your social worker to explore further.”
To help alleviate pressures at hospital sites, a number of Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) units have been opened, which you may be referred to if you have a condition that can be seen and treated quickly.
Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience, Mandy Rayani, said: “We are dealing with a combination of high numbers of attendances, particularly in our Emergency Departments, and challenges in health professional staffing.
“Our GP practices and hospitals are busy and while many of the COVID regulations have been removed, we still need to follow specific requirements for the safe treatment of those patients with COVID-19 and those without.
“We are working with our local authorities as there are difficulties in discharging some patients due to similar staffing challenges the social care sector is facing. This means we have very limited beds available to accommodate patients who need admission.
“Our teams are helping patients by their clinical priority, but this does mean that in some cases, waits in our Emergency Departments are hours long and far in excess of what we would strive to deliver.
“If you need medical help, please think carefully about the services you choose.”
If you are unwell and unsure what to do, you can visit the online symptom checker to cross-check your symptoms against a number of common ailments and if directed call NHS 111.
Only attend an Emergency Department if you have a life-threatening illness or serious injury, such as:
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Severe pain or bleeding
- Chest pain or a suspected stroke
- Serious trauma injuries (eg. from a car crash)
If you have a less serious injury then please visit a Minor Injury Unit. They can treat adults and children over 12-months of age, with injuries such as:
- Minor wounds
- Minor burns or scalds
- Insect bites
- Minor limb, head, or face injuries
- Foreign bodies in the nose or ear
There are minor injury or walk-in services at Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, and Tenby Hospital.
Many community pharmacies can also provide walk-in, common ailment or triage and treat services without an appointment.
A spokesperson concluded: “Your support not only helps your loved one, but it is a huge support to the NHS and social care services as well.
“Please help us to make our service safer by sharing this information with friends and family.”
News
Land Rover swallowed by tide at popular Welsh beach
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
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
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.
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