News

The number of people waiting for NHS treatment in Wales ‘just keeps growing’

Published

2 years ago

October 20, 2022

HUNDREDS of thousands of patients across Wales are waiting to start NHS treatment.

New figures released today show that in August there was more than 750,000 patient pathways waiting to start treatment with around 589,000 individual patients on treatment waiting lists in Wales.

This is an increase of almost 3,500 patients from the previous month.

Figures released this week continue to show the pressure facing the Welsh Ambulance Service and emergency departments across Wales.

Throughout September the ambulance service 3,553 red (life threatening) calls – which is 10.2 per cent of all calls made.

This is an increase on the immediately life-threatening calls on the previous month.

50% of red calls received an emergency response within 8 minutes, 0.7 percentage points lower than the previous month and the joint lowest on record.

Commenting on today’s figures, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said: “The failure of the Labour Government to prepare for pandemic recovery continues to be felt by the people of Wales as they experience the longest treatment waiting lists, ambulance delays, and A&E waits in Britain.

“This failure to plan for the re-opening of hospitals has meant the delivery of healthcare is out of control – staff are doing their best to cope with demand but a lack of leadership from the centre has meant minister leaving the NHS totally adrift.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “Behind these figures are countless human tragedies. In every corner of the country people are frightened, suffering and waiting in pain because our NHS can no longer cope.

“Labour is letting the NHS fall to its knees and patients are paying the price. Wales routinely has the worse health figures in Britain despite all nations facing similar challenges. This cannot go on.

“The Government must come forward with a proper plan to bring down waiting times and recruit and retain more NHS staff. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to call for greater investment in primary healthcare facilities, GPs and social care.

“We must prevent people from getting so ill they require either treatment in A&E or complex treatment paths if we are to reduce pressures on the system, this starts at ensuring people can access their GP easily. We also need to ensure patients can be discharged safely once their treatment is finished.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Progress continues to be made on the longest waits and we have seen a reduction in the number of patient pathways* waiting more than two years for treatment for the fifth month in a row. This is a fall of 16 per cent since the peak in March.

“Thousands of people are still being seen and treated by NHS Wales and there were more than 338,000 consultations carried out in August. We will continue to work with health boards on how we can best support them to meet our planned care targets.

“We saw slightly more people start their cancer treatment in August (1,691) than in the previous month. A total of 13,534 pathways were closed following the patient being informed they did not have cancer, an increase of more than 12% on the previous month and the highest level on record. A huge amount of work, focus, investment and service change is under way in reducing the number of people waiting for cancer treatment and the Health Minister recently met with health boards and trusts to hear their plans about how they are working to bring the waiting lists down.

“August also saw just over 93,000 patient pathways closed, a significant increase from the early stages of the pandemic and 27 per cent higher than for the same month in 2021.

“For diagnostic services, the number of patient pathways waiting decreased to just over 107,000 in August from 110,000 in July. For therapies, the number of patient pathways waiting decreased to just over 67,500 in August.

“Urgent and emergency care staff remain under intense pressure, and we are working with health and social care service leaders to support improvements. We acknowledge ambulance performance is not where we, NHS Wales nor the public expect it to be and we are driving a whole system response to support improvement. We expect health boards to take ownership and immediately reduce ambulance patient handover delays while working with social care services to improve timeliness of patient transfers home from hospital.

“Performance improved against the four-hour and twelve-hour standards and the average (median) time spent in emergency departments shortened slightly. September saw the best performance against the four-hour standard since January 2022 and this is testament to hard working emergency department staff given the ongoing system pressures.”

News

Milford Haven RFC celebrates Mini’s Section Presentation

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Herald Sport

MILFORD HAVEN RFC once again showcased its commitment to nurturing young talent as it celebrated its Mini’s Section Presentation on Sunday (May 5). The event, held with much enthusiasm, marked a significant moment for the club, reinforcing its dedication to the development of rugby at all levels.

The Mini’s section, a cornerstone of the club’s community engagement, witnessed a remarkable turnout, a testament to its growing popularity year by year. The event not only recognised the efforts of the young players but also extended gratitude to the invaluable contributions of coaches, parents, and supporters, whose unwavering support is instrumental in shaping the future of rugby in Milford Haven.

A special acknowledgment was reserved for Abbo, Paula, and Leanne, whose steadfast support has been pivotal in nurturing the Mini’s section, ensuring its success and growth. Their dedication and tireless efforts have played a significant role in fostering a nurturing environment for the young athletes to thrive.

The presence of the 1st Team Club Captain, Zac, and Vice Captain, Jimmy, added a touch of prestige to the occasion. Their attendance and active participation in presenting trophies to the Mini Mariners underscored the club’s ethos of unity and inclusivity across all age groups. Such gestures not only inspire the budding players but also instil a sense of belonging and pride in the larger Milford Haven RFC community.

In his remarks, Zac emphasised the importance of fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity within the club, where every member, regardless of age or experience, feels valued and supported. Such values lie at the heart of Milford Haven RFC, reinforcing its status as not just a rugby club but a tight-knit community.

As the event concluded, echoes of “Up the Mighty Mariners” reverberated through the grounds, encapsulating the spirit of determination and unity that defines Milford Haven RFC. With the Mini’s section flourishing and the club’s unwavering commitment to its development, the future of rugby in Milford Haven looks brighter than ever.

With each passing year, Milford Haven RFC continues to uphold its legacy as a nurturing ground for young talent, a beacon of sporting excellence, and a source of pride for the entire community.

As the red and white colours of the Mighty Mariners continue to soar high, so too does the spirit of camaraderie and passion that binds the club together, ensuring its continued success on and off the field.

News

Milford Haven clinches thrilling victory in KO Cup Plate Final

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a gripping showdown at Heywood Lane, Tenby on Wednesday (May 1), Milford Haven emerged victorious in the 2024 KO Cup Plate Final, edging past a resilient Whitland side by a narrow margin of 24-21.

The clash, witnessed by a fervent crowd, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, culminating in a nail-biting finish that saw Milford Haven secure their first-ever Plate trophy in the club’s history.

The Mariners took an early lead through a penalty courtesy of winger James Trueman, swiftly countered by Whitland’s full back Geraint Jones. However, Milford surged ahead with the first try of the match, as No 8 Dewi Williams powered over the line from close range, with Trueman adding the extras.

Despite Whitland’s efforts to claw back into contention with two penalties, reducing the halftime deficit to a single point, Milford Haven remained composed. The second half witnessed a relentless display from the Mariners, capitalizing on their dominant pack to create scoring opportunities.

James Trueman showcased his prowess with a spectacular try, expertly set up by swift passing from James Williams and Dan Jenkins. Trueman’s accurate kicking extended Milford’s lead further, before Scott Buirds crashed over for their third try, sealing a commanding advantage.

Yet, Whitland refused to concede defeat, launching a spirited comeback with tries from Owyn Griffiths and Dom Davies. Despite their valiant efforts, Whitland fell short in their pursuit of victory, with a crucial penalty attempt rebounding off the post in the dying moments.

Milford Haven’s Ollie Rothero was rightfully awarded the ‘man of the match’ accolade for his composed performance, epitomizing the team’s resilience throughout the contest. Rothero’s versatility and steadiness in the No 15 shirt proved instrumental in Milford’s triumph, despite stiff competition from Trueman’s impressive place-kicking and memorable try.

In the end, Milford Haven emerged as worthy victors, their victory a testament to their tenacity and unity on the field. As the final whistle blew, the Mariners celebrated a hard-fought triumph, etching their names in the annals of KO Cup Plate history.

The club said after the match on their Facebook page: “All the players, coaching team and committee would like to thank everyone that came over to Tenby to support the boys tonight. It really meant a lot to us as a club and no doubt the town!”

Line-ups:

Milford Haven: Ollie Rothero, Robbie Jones, James Williams, Dan Jenkins, Jamie Trueman, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Aaron Mayne, Luke Ryan, Jimmy Buirds, Jay Goodall, Zac Davies (Capt), Ryan Mansell, Ieuan Davies, Dewi Williams. Replacements: Dai. Sweeny, Ben Jenkins, Ben Groves, Scott Buirds, Ethan Aldred, Lee Riley, Dean McSparron.

Whitland: Geraint Jones, Morgan Lewis, Jamie Goldsworthy, Dom Davies, Owyn Griffiths, Jonathan Thomas, Trystan Rees, Dafydd Walters, Marc Jones, Trystan Bowen, Benjamin Kirk, Dan Bennett, Lewis Tingay, Cian Evans, Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Ceiron Evans, Charlie Watson, Jack Worthing, Thomas Iraia, Geraint McCoan.

News

Goodwick 2nds clinch Division 3 Cup after dramatic penalty shootout

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Herald Sport

IN a gripping showdown at Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday (May 3), Goodwick United 2nds emerged victorious in a nail-biting encounter against Solva in the 2024 Division 3 Cup Final. The match, which ended 1-1 after normal time, saw Goodwick triumph 7-6 on penalties, securing the coveted cup in a marathon of tension and drama.

The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides showcasing their determination from the outset. Solva’s Robbie Jenkins proved to be a constant threat, testing Goodwick keeper Joe Docker early on. However, neither team could break the deadlock in the first half, with chances at both ends going begging.

As the match progressed, the intensity only heightened, with tackles flying in as both teams fought for supremacy. It was Solva who struck first blood, with Dan Bryce converting a penalty to put his team ahead with just 19 minutes remaining. But Goodwick refused to be beaten, and Kieran Price leveled the scores late on with a well-taken volley, sending the game into extra time.

Extra time saw no let-up in the action, with both sides pushing for a winner. However, it was Solva who found themselves reduced to ten men after Morgan Elliott was sent off. With neither team able to find a breakthrough, the match was ultimately decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

In a tense shootout that went to sudden death, it was Goodwick who held their nerve, with Haydn Smith scoring the decisive spot-kick to clinch victory for his team. The celebrations that followed were a testament to the resilience and determination of Chris Morris’s side, who battled through injuries and adversity to claim the title.

Reflecting on his team’s triumph, Morris expressed his pride in his players, praising their character and resilience in the face of adversity. For Solva, it was a bitter disappointment, but they can take pride in their valiant effort throughout the match.

As the final whistle blew, it was Goodwick United 2nds who emerged as the worthy winners, etching their names into the annals of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League’s Division 3 Cup history.

Line-ups:

Solva: Luke Phillips, Luke Mason, Harry Elliott, Morgan Elliott, Kieran Price, Ryan Thomas, Finn Isles, Sam Price, Robert Jenkins, Josh Bland (Captain), Lucas Price. Substitutes: Craig Challonder, Billy Clift, Albie Burden, Daniel Rees, Francis John-Duarte.

Goodwick United 2nds: Joe Docker, Tyler Morris, Iwan James, Haydn Smith, Kyle Smith (Captain), Joshua Wellan, Seamus Drake, Niall Kinsella, Keegan Summers, Gary Reynolds, Ethan Priestley. Substitutes: Goncalo Rocha, Alex O’Sullivan, Daniel Bryce, Kieran O’Brien, Frankie Pearce.

Match Officials:

Referee: Alan Boswell.

Assistants: Chris Stapleton & Barry Evans.

Fourth Official: Richard Gwyther.

Photo: Ben Rendell/Facebook