News
Professor Philip Kloer announced as interim Chief Executive Officer
JUDITH HARDISTY, Interim Chair at Hywel Dda University Health Board, has today, Monday, 13 November, announced that Professor Philip Kloer has been appointed as the Health Board’s interim Chief Executive Officer from February 2024.
The announcement was made following the statement shared earlier today NHS Devon appoints new Chief Executive Officer – One Devon (opens in new tab) that Steve Moore, Hywel Dda’s current Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed as the Chief Executive of NHS Devon Integrated Care Board, effective 12 February 2024.
Judith Hardisty, interim Chair at Hywel Dda University Health Board, commented: “On behalf of everyone at Hywel Dda, I would like to congratulate Steve on his appointment as Chief Executive of NHS Devon ICB. Steve has been an excellent leader at Hywel Dda and he will be sorely missed by so many of us. We wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”
Steve Moore, Hywel Dda Chief Executive Officer, added: “Leading Hywel Dda for close to nine years has been an incredibly humbling experience, and one I will be forever grateful for. I have worked alongside remarkable individuals – people who go above and beyond every day to deliver the best care possible for members of our community – thank you to everyone for your unwavering support over the years. I wish Phil and the Hywel Dda team all the best for the future and look forward to hearing of Hywel Dda’s progress for many years to come.”
Professor Kloer joined Hywel Dda in 2005 as a respiratory physician. During his time with the Health Board, he has held a number of senior leadership roles, including Director of Clinical Strategy and interim Executive Director of Primary Care, Community, and Mental Health services, before his current role as the Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer. He has significant experience of leading large scale, whole system strategy development and change programmes and led the Transforming Clinical Services programme in west Wales, and the Health Board’s 20-year health and care strategy – A Healthier Mid and West Wales.
Ms Hardisty continues: “Congratulations also go to Phil as he steps into his new role as interim Chief Executive Officer. Over the years, Steve has invested in developing a dedicated and strong Executive team, who will continue to lead our Health Board and ensure stability of leadership while our sector faces increased pressure.
“As a seasoned leader and longstanding member of our Hywel Dda family, I am confident that Phil, together with the Executive team and Board, will continue to lead our Health Board with care and compassion – which is particularly important as we navigate through the challenges facing the NHS in Wales.”
Professor Kloer adds: “It is a privilege to be appointed to the role of interim Chief Executive. It has been an honour and pleasure of working alongside Steve during the past nine years, and I am grateful to him for his dedicated leadership and for bringing our values to life every day.
“As a health board, and a sector, we face several challenges, particularly as we enter the winter months; but I am confident that with the support and dedication of all our 13,000 employees that we have at Hywel Dda, that we will rise to the challenge and work together to serve our communities the best we can. I look forward to taking on this new role and continuing to lead our organisation with kindness and ensuring that our people and our communities remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Professor Kloer is appointed to his new role on an interim basis for a period of up to a year.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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