PATIENTS at a Carmarthen mental health unit will benefit from a fully refurbished gym thanks to funding from Hywel Dda Health Charities.

The official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board has awarded £8,902 from its Making a Difference fund to improve facilities at Cwm Seren’s Low Secure Unit and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.

The money has been used to replace outdated gym equipment, improve the gym environment, and provide gym instructor training for four members of staff.

The refurbished facility now includes a treadmill, air bike, kettlebells, dumbbells, an Olympic bar and plates, an adjustable bench, squat rack, and protective floor mats. The room has also been repainted, fitted with protective splashback boards, and updated with a new whiteboard to support activity planning.

Health board officials said physical activity plays an important role in supporting patients with mental illness, particularly those who may experience poorer physical health, increased risk of obesity, and limited access to community exercise during inpatient stays.

Caryl Griffiths, Ward Manager at Cwm Seren Low Secure Unit, said: “We are incredibly grateful that kind donations from the local community have funded the refurbishment of the gym, which will make a significant difference to both our patients and staff.

“Daily access to modern gym facilities provides structure, reduces boredom and frustration, and has a positive impact on mood, anxiety, and overall physical health.

“Training additional staff means we can offer the gym seven days a week, ensuring more patients benefit more consistently. We know how much of a difference this makes to people during long periods of inpatient care.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are able to fund projects like this that go above and beyond what the NHS can provide.

“The refurbished gym at Cwm Seren will enhance patient experience and support healthier lifestyles. A huge thank you to all our supporters for making this possible.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities funds items and initiatives across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to improve patient care and support the wellbeing of NHS staff.

Pictured:

Cwm Seren staff with the new gym equipment.

NURSING students in Wales are being forced to choose between food, bills and travelling to clinical placements, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.

The union says existing financial support is no longer enough to meet the real cost of training, with some students taking on extra work, falling into debt or considering leaving their courses altogether.

RCN Wales is calling on the Welsh Government to carry out an urgent review of the true cost of studying nursing.

It wants the current non-means-tested NHS Wales bursary to be protected and increased in line with inflation, alongside a fairer means-tested system which reflects students’ individual circumstances.

Students struggling

The RCN said it is hearing from nursing students across Wales who cannot afford to travel to placements, despite those placements being a compulsory part of their training.

Others are working long hours on top of full-time study and clinical duties, leaving them exhausted and under intense pressure.

A mature student nurse in South Wales said she left a secure full-time healthcare support worker role after almost twenty years to train as a nurse, but the financial impact on her family had been overwhelming.

A student nurse in North Wales said training “takes everything from you emotionally and financially”, with her partner forced to move to night shifts to support the household while she completed placements and university work.

A student midwife in South Wales said she had given up financial security and missed important family events while trying to balance full-time placements, academic work and part-time employment.

‘Devastating loss’

Speaking from Liverpool during RCN Congress, RCN Wales Executive Director Nicola Williams said: “While we welcome the existing non-means-tested bursary, it simply does not go far enough in the current financial climate.

“We are hearing directly from students who cannot afford to get to placements, who are working exhausting hours alongside full-time study, and who are struggling to meet even their most basic needs.

“Some are being penalised by means testing that does not reflect their real circumstances, leaving them without the support they need.

“Students are telling us they feel unable to look after themselves, are experiencing housing insecurity and in some cases are considering leaving their course altogether.

“We cannot allow financial pressures due to the cost-of-living situation to drive future nurses out of the profession before they even qualify. This would be a devastating loss for patients and services across Wales.”

Call for action

RCN Wales warned that without urgent action, financial hardship could worsen existing workforce shortages in NHS Wales.

The union said current funding arrangements do not properly reflect the cost of long and demanding NHS placements.

It is urging the Welsh Government to act now to “care for the future nursing workforce” by ensuring people who want to become nurses are properly supported while they train.

RCN Wales represents around 35,000 nursing staff and students across Wales.

Residents asked to help shape future provision in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion

PEOPLE across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are being asked to give their views on the future of community pharmacy services.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has launched a consultation on its updated draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, which looks at current pharmacy provision, any gaps in services, and what may be needed in future.

Health boards in Wales have been required since October 2021 to publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. The document must be updated every five years and is used to help guide decisions about how pharmacy services are developed and improved.

The latest draft assessment has been prepared following engagement with community pharmacy contractors and members of the public earlier this year.

The health board is now inviting further feedback before a final version is published later in 2026.

The survey opened on Monday (May 18) and will close on Friday, July 17.

Residents can take part online, pick up a paper copy from their local pharmacy, or request a copy by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 303 8322 and selecting option five.

Rhian Bond, Assistant Director of Primary Care for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “This is an important opportunity for people to share their experiences of community pharmacy services and tell us how they could be improved.

“Community pharmacies play a vital role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing. They are often the first point of contact for advice, treatment and support.

“By providing feedback you can help us ensure services are accessible, effective and meet the needs of communities now and in the future.”

The final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment will be published later this year on the health board’s website, along with a summary of the feedback received.