Health

Campaign launched to save stroke recovery services in Hywel Dda area

Published

3 years ago

March 15, 2023

THE STROKE ASSOCIATION is calling for support to sign petition as stroke recovery services are under threat in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire

People who have a stroke in the Hywel Dda health board area are at risk of being abandoned, according to the leading stroke charity.

The Stroke Association is deeply concerned that, as of 2023-24, the funding for the Life After Stroke service in Hywel Dda UHB is unlikely to provide a quality and equitable service for those most vulnerable stroke survivors in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Service has been supporting stroke survivors in the Hywel Dda Health Board area for more than a decade. The service provides a life-line for people after they leave hospital; helping stroke survivors and their loved ones set their own goals for recovery, manage their condition and become more independent.

In 2022 alone, the Stroke Association provided specialised person-centred support to more than 250 new stroke survivors and their carers in the Hywel Dda health board area; reducing hospital readmissions, supporting mental health needs and most importantly, supporting stroke survivor independence.

Katie Chappelle, Associate Director Wales, Stroke Association said “Hywel Dda University Health Board has been de-prioritising stroke services for years. There has been no inflation increase in our funding for over six years, resulting in a real-terms cut for stroke support services. Part of the service has historically been provided by Carmarthenshire Local Authority, but they have now withdrawn this money, due to changes in how they pay for community-based prevention services.

With this support coming to an end, we want to work closely with Hywel Dda UHB to design an effective and quality service which continues to support stroke survivors and their loved ones to rebuild life after stroke. We urge the Health Board to reconsider their upcoming tender, and include the additional adequate funding needed to deliver an equal stroke recovery service across all three areas for stroke survivors in the years ahead.

“Charities are integral to the healthy functioning of our society and should be accepted as a partner in the health and social care system, particularly at times of strain, rather than seen as a “nice to have”. This means supporting charities with long-term funding and integrating them into decision making. Charities are often best placed to engage with a wide range of people, particularly those who are seldom heard. At the Stroke Association we ensure that stroke survivors have a voice in the decisions that affect them. If there is a failure to recognise, respect and realise the true value of the work that charities do, there is a risk of losing essential provision and the person-centred approach that charities bring to our society.”

There are almost 10,000 stroke survivors living in the Hywel Dda Health Board area. Without this essential service, stroke survivors risk feeling abandoned after they leave hospital, placing further pressure on health and social services, at a time of great strain. 47% of stroke survivors within the health board are registered with GP surgeries that are in the Local Authority area of Carmarthenshire. The other 20% live in Ceredigion and 33% in Pembrokeshire highlighting a need for a service in all three areas. (Data is from GP register 2019-2020)

Dave Jones, from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire had a stroke in 2017 at 36 years old. He was young, fit and healthy and he never expected it. “When I came out of hospital, I had double vision, my right arm and right leg didn’t work. I couldn’t speak properly. I got to the point of I didn’t want to be here. I actually got to the steps of ending it all. The support I have received from the Stroke Association has been invaluable.”

The dad of two continued, “My co-ordinator has been a huge help to me. She is always there whenever I need her. I would never have got to where I have got without her.”

Dave is part of a young men’s peer group based in Carmarthen “we help each other through it and meet up and talk about our experience, it is a massive help to me. Without the opportunity and help to set up this group by the Stroke Association who knows where we would all be. It has been a real saviour to many of us.”

As Dave continues to rebuild his life he has recently become a Stroke Association support co-ordinator, “It is a fantastic organisation that has helped me so much and I want to give back and help others as I know first-hand how important the Life After Stroke service is for stroke survivors.”

Adam Price MS for Carmarthen East & Dinefwr said that“having met with the Stroke Association recently, I am fully aware of the excellent service they provide to stroke survivors across my constituency. Despite a shrinking budget and significant pressures, the Life After Stroke service has continued to provide vital support to patients across the Hywel Dda area.

“It is vital that stroke recovery services do not get left behind, and we must do whatever we can to save our stroke recovery service. I would urge members of the public to sign this petition to demonstrate just how much support there is for the Life After Stroke service in Carmarthenshire.”

When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. Recovery is tough, but with the right specialist support and a ton of courage and determination, the brain can adapt. The Stroke Association is here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke.

The Stroke Association has delivered a stroke recovery service across all three areas of Hywel Dda health board for more than a decade. We support stroke survivors, their families, and carers to rebuild their lives after stroke.

To help save our stroke recovery service in Hywel Dda please sign our petition to show your support here

Health

Welsh Government refuses to halt Withybush and Bronglais service review

Published

28 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Health Minister tells Paul Davies MS that decisions remain a matter for Hywel Dda University Health Board

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has declined to intervene in controversial plans affecting services at Withybush and Bronglais hospitals, prompting fresh criticism from local Senedd Member Paul Davies.

In a letter dated June 19, Health and Care Cabinet Secretary Mabon ap Gwynfor said responsibility for planning and delivering NHS services rests with local health boards and confirmed that Hywel Dda University Health Board should continue its consultation process on proposed service changes.

The response follows concerns raised by Mr Davies on behalf of constituents in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion over the future configuration of clinical services, including stroke care.

While acknowledging strong public concern about access to healthcare in rural communities, the Minister stopped short of offering any commitment to block or reverse the Health Board’s proposals.

Instead, he stressed that any changes must be supported by robust evidence, maintain patient safety and demonstrate improved outcomes.

The Minister wrote: “Responsibility for planning and delivering health services rests with local health boards, including decisions about how services are organised.”

He added that proposals must improve outcomes for patients, maintain safe and equitable access to care and be supported by thorough impact assessments.

Paul Davies MS described the response as disappointing.

Posting the letter on social media, he said: “This letter tells me that the Welsh Government is not going to stand in the way of the Health Board’s plans.”

He added that he would raise the issue in the Senedd chamber next week and continue pressing ministers to intervene.

The exchange comes as Hywel Dda University Health Board continues a public consultation on proposed changes to stroke services across west Wales.

The consultation, which opened on May 28, is due to run until July 26.

In his response, the Minister stated that anyone suffering a stroke should receive treatment “as quickly as possible in the most appropriate setting” and said the current model of stroke care in Wales must evolve if national standards are to be achieved.

The comments are likely to fuel concern among campaigners opposed to the proposed changes, who fear services could become increasingly centralised and further away from rural communities in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.

Health

Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.

Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).

The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.

Harassment campaign

Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.

Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.

She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.

Police assaults

The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.

Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.

A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.

Shop theft and XL Bully

Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.

In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.

Restraining orders imposed

District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.

The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.

Jailed for 26 weeks

Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.

The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.