News

Cancer surgery may end at Withybush

Published

10 years ago

November 4, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Under threat: Withybush Hospital cancer surgery (Pic: Stock image)

THE SLOW salami-slicing of services at Withybush that has taken place over the last few years has recently accelerated, following the closure of the Special Care Baby Unit, the cessation of consultant-led obstetrics and the end of inpatient paediatric care at the site.

Now, The Herald understands that another core service is to be removed from the Haverfordwest site. In July we exclusively reported the views of Professor John Wagstaff, who claimed the current cancer care provision within the local Health Board area was unsustainable. In a candid email to local campaigner Lyn Neville, Professor Wagstaff said: “It is my view that Hywel Dda should employ sufficient oncologists to allow patients with common cancers to be treated at one hospital in the Health Board.

Patients with rarer cancers will need to travel to Swansea to a consultant who is sub specialised in the rarer cancer types.” At the time, the Health Board avoided our question about the future of cancer care at Withybush both by referring us to its review of cancer care services in the Health Board area, due to report at the end of this year. It also referred us to its commitment to providing a Chemotherapy Day Unit at Withybush Hospital. Despite the fact that review is purportedly still under way and is yet to report, The Herald has seen an internal document which makes no referral to chemotherapy services at Withybush, and instead refers to the provision of ‘The Pembrokeshire Oncology Lounge’ which ‘will enable the delivery of a safe, effective and sustainable NONSURGICAL oncology service for Pembrokeshire patients’ (emphasis added).

The Herald understands that such surgical services will be provided at one site within the local Health Board and that site will not be in Haverfordwest, or otherwise patients face heading to Swansea – possibly to Morriston Hospital. The Board appears to have accepted the recommendations of a twenty year old report on commissioning cancer services that recommended the provision of a hub and spoke model of service delivery for cancer, with smaller local centres feeding towards a single specialist hub. While momentum towards the provision of new cancer facilities at Withybush appears to have increased since the formation of the new Oncology Services Committee, there remain concerns that the Health Board’s commitment to Withybush’s future is highly conditional.

Analysis commissioned by the Rare Cancers Foundation (RCF) suggests that the Welsh Government spends £1000 less per patient than England on cancer treatment. The Welsh Government – including First Minister Carwyn Jones – have repeatedly asserted that the opposite is true. Commenting on the findings, RCF Chief Executive Andrew Wilson said: “Contrary to ministerial assurances, the truth is that access to cancer treatment is poor in Wales, and is getting worse. Hundreds of patients have been denied funding for medicines that they would have received if they lived in England. Ministers in Wales cannot spin their way out of the cancer crisis they are presiding over. Urgent action is required before more patients are let down. Ministers need to find a way to make treatments available to patients in Wales.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

7 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

15 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.