WITHYBUSH HOSPITAL’S Emergency Department has won national recognition for work to cut waste, reduce emissions and save money.

The department, based at Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, has been awarded Bronze accreditation by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine as part of its Green ED programme.

The scheme recognises emergency departments which introduce practical changes to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining safe patient care.

At Withybush, the work was led by a small team made up of consultant Dr Vicki Hughes, resident doctor Dr Lizzie Caisley, ED secretary Janet Bird, and ED clinical fellow Dr Oyewale Osundeyi.

Their changes included replacing plastic medicine pots with paper alternatives, reducing unnecessary cannulas, improving waste segregation, and reviewing computer screen brightness and older equipment to identify where energy savings could be made.

Dr Osundeyi led a project to increase recycling and reduce waste sent for incineration.

He said: “Trying to reduce waste comes with a lot of challenges, because you are trying to change people’s habits and trying to make sure people understand the importance, but we were lucky to get a lot of people involved from the estates team to the nursing departments who helped us achieve this.”

The department also targeted unnecessary coagulation testing in admission bloods, a project led by Dr Caisley.

The change is expected to save around £30,000 a year, as well as cutting carbon emissions.

Dr Caisley said: “By reviewing our routine practices, I was able to identify simple changes that benefit both patients and the environment. It shows how quality improvement work can deliver meaningful financial and environmental savings.”

ED secretary Janet Bird supported the work by gathering information, co-ordinating meetings and helping to put sustainability plans into action.

She said she also created a Green ED information board and presented the programme at resident doctor induction sessions to raise awareness of the changes already introduced.

Dr Hughes said: “A group of individuals, cutting across resident doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and myself as a senior consultant, all got involved in this work.

“There were many different elements to achieving this bronze award. The next step is making sure the team is supported to build on it.”

Withybush was one of eleven emergency departments across England and Wales recognised through the programme.

Together, those departments are estimated to have achieved £216,000 in cost savings and 131,502kg of CO2e savings through more sustainable working practices.

Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “On behalf of the College – a massive congratulations to the team at Withybush General Hospital who have been awarded a Bronze accreditation through our GreenED programme.

“This accomplishment has been driven by a dedicated, innovative team, who have reduced emissions, as well as waste and saved costs – all to tackle the climate crisis.

“A healthier planet means healthier patients, and we have a duty to act to protect both.

“As a College, we are proud to support Emergency Departments across the UK, and beyond, in playing their part to become more environmentally friendly.”

AWEL Y MOR has begun offshore survey work as the north Wales wind farm project moves into its next phase following the award of a UK Government Contract for Difference.

The project, led by RWE, could become one of Wales’ biggest renewable energy schemes of the decade if it secures a final investment decision.

Once built off the north Wales coast, Awel y Môr would be capable of generating electricity equivalent to 22.5 per cent of Wales’ current annual energy use.

Contractors GEO and TGS will carry out geotechnical and geophysical surveys across the 78km² array area and along the export cable route to landfall between Rhyl and Prestatyn.

The work will help refine the final design of the offshore wind farm and identify seabed conditions that could affect construction.

TGS will undertake geophysical surveys using high-resolution imaging to map the seabed in detail, including boulders and other features.

GEO will carry out geotechnical investigations using cone penetration testing and vibrocore sampling to build on previous borehole surveys and research carried out at Bangor University.

Jo Pickard, senior consents manager for RWE, said: “This additional survey data will enable the team to make design refinements and fine tune our methods for offshore construction, which is currently planned to begin in 2029.

“Our next step is to reach a final investment decision. Onshore construction is planned to begin in 2027 with the onshore substation, followed by the cable route in 2028.

“We will of course keep all relevant stakeholders informed and updated as our plans progress.”

GEO will deploy two vessels, each working on different areas of seabed.

Kim Sillemann, managing director at GEO, said the company was proud to have been awarded the contract by RWE.

RWE is developing Awel y Môr with project partners Stadtwerke München, which holds 30 per cent, and Siemens Financial Services, which holds 10 per cent.

The company has more than two decades’ experience in UK offshore wind, having developed and built the country’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm at North Hoyle, also off the north Wales coast.

LOCAL businesses are being asked to support a charity golf day in Rosemarket this July after organiser Derek Rowlands was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer.

Derek’s Charity Golf Day will take place at Dawn Til Dusk Golf Club on Friday, July 10, with proceeds going to Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.

The event will be played in a Texas Scramble format, with teams of four invited to enter at £80 per team. Tee times will run from 8:00am.

Derek was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2023. His illness was identified early, allowing him to undergo surgery soon after diagnosis. He continues to receive monthly treatment and has organised the event to raise both funds and awareness.

Neuroendocrine cancers can develop in different parts of the body, including the digestive system, pancreas and lungs. Symptoms can often be vague, meaning some patients are diagnosed late.

Local businesses are being invited to support the event by sponsoring a hole for a minimum donation of £100, donating raffle or competition prizes, entering a team, or helping to promote the day.

There are up to 18 hole sponsorship opportunities available, with sponsors able to display banners or promotional materials at their designated hole.

Anyone wishing to enter a team, sponsor the event, donate a prize or find out more can contact Derek on 07823 323 134.