News
Welsh Lib Dems announce community ambulance stations plan
THE Liberal Democrats have pledged a £50 million-a-year emergency fund, to allow ambulance trusts to reverse closures of community ambulance stations and cancel planned closures. The pledge, at a Westminster level, would result in at least £2.5 million extra a year for Wales.
The announcement comes as last month’s ambulance waiting time data shows that 2,724 red calls (54%) and 9,845 yellow calls (64%) missed their 8-minute and 60-minute target response times respectively.
Red calls include the most life-threatening situation while yellow calls include strokes and heart attacks.
The data shows that Powys and Cwm Taf Morgannwg are the worst affected regions with red calls in both health boards failing to meet the target response time in 59% of callouts.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated the additional £2.5 million a year could allow the Welsh Labour Government to open new community ambulance stations, particularly in rural parts of Wales where response times remain particularly poor.
This funding is in addition to the Liberal Democrats’ plan to invest in A&E to help end ambulance handover delays, with an upfront capital investment of £280m to expand urgent treatment centres and A&E wards and an additional £400m per year to add an extra 1,000 staffed beds in hospitals. Both of these plans would trigger consequential funding in Wales of £14 million and £20 million respectively.
Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “Everyone should be confident that when they ring 999 in a life or death emergency, an ambulance will arrive in good time.
However, I am acutely aware that in many parts of Wales, especially in rural parts of Wales like where I live, this is simply not happening.
The evidence we have shows that this is costing lives and people are genuinely frightened that an ambulance won’t turn up if they fall sick or are seriously injured. We urgently need to change course.
The plans outlined by the Liberal Democrats would give extra funding to restore and open new ambulance stations and to train and hire paramedics and first responders.
This is in addition to our plans to fix social care and provide more GPs and primary healthcare appointments which would reduce the pressure on A&E departments and end the sight of ambulances queuing for hours outside of hospitals because they are unable to drop patients off.
A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a fair deal on health, ensuring everyone can get the high-quality healthcare they need, when they need it and where they need it, whether they live in a city centre or a rural valley.”
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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