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October date for removal of paediatrics from hospital

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withybushdowngradeAS REVEALED by the Pembrokeshire Herald in July, the scheduled transfer of inpatient paediatric services to Glangwili is to take place in October.

In August’s Stakeholder Briefing, the date of October 20 is the date the Board has proposed for the closure of inpatient paediatric services.

The Briefing states: “There is on-going work to agree the protocols, operational policies and workforce models for the new service. The changes are being made to ensure the University Health Board meet national safety standards and in response to workforce challenges in recruitment, maintenance of medical rotas, and clinical training requirements. The majority of children will continue to be assessed and cared for at Withybush Hospital through a new 12-hour paediatric ambulatory care unit, supported by a range of enhanced outpatient services. A 24/7 inpatient service will be provided from a single site at Glangwili Hospital, where there will also be a dedicated and newly refurbished paediatric high dependency unit.

“If a child requires a hospital assessment outside of the 12 hours opening at Withybush they will be referred directly to Glangwili Hospital by their GP and in emergencies, ambulances will take children directly to Glangwili Hospital. In addition to normal ambulance services, the dedicated transfer ambulance vehicle currently in operation for maternity, gynaecology and neonatal patients, will also serve paediatrics. The communications team is currently working on materials to explain the changes and these will be available for staff and the public at the earliest opportunity. There will also be an opportunity for staff to meet with senior managers to discuss the changes and to keep them informed of progress, in addition to feedback ongoing from nominated members of the sub groups.”

It is not clear how, if at all, this addresses the concerns of Dr Martin Simmonds, a Withybush paediatrician whose letter the Herald was the ONLY paper to publish in full. In that letter, Dr Simmonds wrote: “We can staff a 24-hour Paediatric unit at Withybush with recently secured middle grade staffing. No, tell them we demand a 24-hour service here such that we can admit a child overnight and discharge the next morning or administer phototherapy for the jaundiced baby from St Davids who must otherwise travel to Glangwili for admission. Tell them we can develop a specialist Paediatric nurse role in A&E but that it will take time.

“Tell them that unless we stop this process now, this winter will see greater challenges and upset than there needs to be, adversely affecting the health of families and staff both here and at Glangwili.”

The Board persisted with the line that concerns raised by clinicians would be addressed. It seems remarkably convenient that those concerns have been addressed in such a short period since the publication of Dr Simmonds letter, to fit the Board’s own revised timetable.

 

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Crime

Man arrested after police stop car on Pembroke Dock street

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A MAN was arrested after police stopped a car on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday afternoon (Apr 4).

Witnesses said the incident happened at around 5:00pm outside Bargain Booze, when two police vehicles – one marked and one unmarked – pulled over a motorist.

According to one bystander, officers searched the boot of the vehicle and arrested the man straight afterwards.

The same witness said what was suspected to be Class A drugs were found, although that detail has not been confirmed by police.

The man was taken away in a police car, while an officer drove the suspect’s vehicle from the scene.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

Image: File photo

 

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Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:

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Students to get wider access to EMA support

MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.

From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.

Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.

She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.

“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”

More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.

The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.

Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.

“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.

“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.

“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.

“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”

EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.

Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).

Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.

If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.

 

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News

Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre

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EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.

Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.

A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.

The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”

The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.

The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.

We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

 

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