Pupils with additional learning needs thrive at inclusive Aberystwyth school
Thanks to Welsh Government funding, the school facilities have been adapted as learners needs change, for example the expansion of the Enfys unit, a specialist resource base for autistic children aged 3 to 11 years old, their forest school and equipment for learners such as bespoke furniture for children with sensory needs, fidget toys, stress balls and tactile objects.
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Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Warning Wales faces exodus of dentists and patients forced to go private
Warning Wales faces exodus of dentists and patients forced to go private Patients would be seen by any dentist available and check-ups will rise in price and be moved to once every two years if a new NHS dental plan for Wales is approved NHS patients will be seen by any dentist available, rather than their regular practice, and check-ups will be moved to every two years in a planned move the profession warned will cause an "exodus" of staff in Wales. More than six in 10 dentists said they would go fully private rather than take on the Welsh Government's planned shake-up. The changes being proposed are "a leap in the dark that could destroy NHS dentistry in Wales", the British Dental Association (BDA) warned. As a consultation on radical changes to NHS dentistry draws to a close the BDA urged the Welsh Government to heed the warnings of the profession "to avoid a wholesale exodus from the workforce". The Welsh Government has said its proposals will improve patients' access to dental service but the BDA said it would mean more forced to go private. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Under the shake-up adults would no longer have a regular practice NHS dentist but would be seen by whichever one is available on a first come first served basis. They would stay with that dentist until the course of treatment ends and then be returned the central list. Under-18s would keep the same surgery they are first allocated but dentists warn this could cause problems for families having appointments at multiple surgeries. Prices for NHS check-ups will rise from £20 to £24.75 under the plans. Article continues below "Despite worthy-sounding policy goals – to improve oral health, refocus on prevention, enhance the wellbeing of the workforce, and deliver better value for money – the professional body is warning that the plans as they stand risk achieving the exact opposite results," the BDA said. A survey of dentists across Wales by the BDA found "dentists have been left in an invidious position that risks an exodus from the NHS" with 72% saying they would not be willing to work under the proposed reforms as they stand. More than seven in 10 also said they are likely to reduce their NHS commitment in the event the model is imposed next year and more than six in 10 say they are likely to go fully private. Changes are expected to be fast-tracked for rollout next year. Jeremy Miles, the cabinet secretary for health and social care, has described the package as the "biggest change in nearly 20 years". The BDA said despite "headline focus on prevention" reducing healthier patients to check-up appointments up to 24 months apart could mean diseases, including oral cancers, are not picked up early. Dentists would also be unable to offer timely preventative advice and treatment. There will also be big changes to how NHS dentists are paid with rewards for delivering a 'care package' to patients with ongoing or complex needs. But the proposed level of payment "fails to reflect the true cost of care and risks leaving NHS providers delivering care at a loss", the BDA said. Russell Gidney, chair of the BDA's Welsh General Practice, said: 'On improving access and outcomes and refocusing on prevention the Welsh Government set lofty goals but its reforms risk achieving the exact opposite. 'Now dentists are stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea between a failed status quo and an unpopular untested alternative. "Ministers must be willing to listen, pilot plans, and avoid a leap in the dark that could destroy this service.' In a statement to the Senedd on March 18 Mr Miles said the new general dental services contract will be implemented from April 2026. He said the reforms would be the biggest in nearly 20 years and the central aim will be to make it easier to access NHS dentistry. He said instead of recalling everyone every six months for a routine check-up the new contract will be based on prevention and needs-based provision of treatment. The online BDA survey answered by 176 dentists across Wales also shows only: 2% of dentists responding feel that changes would support the long-term sustainability of NHS dentistry in Wales; 2% agree that reforms would improve population health with only 5% saying that they would enhance prevention; 2% feel reforms would support continuity of care with the same proportion believing it would enhance early detection of oral health conditions; 8% say that reforms would actually improve access to NHS care, and; 6% think the proposed system would provide good value for money for the taxpayer. Responding to the BDA's comments and findings a Welsh Government spokesman said: 'Under the new contract most people would continue their relationship with their practice and continuity would be strengthened for people with poor oral health. 'We are committed to providing better access to NHS dentistry for those most in need and at risk and to making NHS dentistry more attractive to dentists and their teams. The consultation on the proposed new contract is now live for the public and professional alike to have a say in shaping these once-in-a-generation reforms.' Article continues below Get our daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Powys County Times
8 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Powys: Fletcher Homes plan for 25 properties near Welshpool
An update may help to bring a new housing development near Welshpool to fruition, more than seven years since the original application was approved. The proposal for 25 homes on the outskirts of Middletown received outline planning permission in 2018, while reserved matters, which detail how the development might look, were submitted in February 2021. However, questions were raised over the second part of the proposal by officials in public rights of way, water drainage, highways, and the Welsh Government. In particular, there were concerns about the impact the site, adjacent to The Fron, would have on the A458, with the potential that traffic could back up from the site onto the trunk road. Earlier this year, Nigel Thorns Planning Consultancy, submitted an updated planning statement on behalf of applicants Fletcher Homes Ltd and E M & A R Paddock that "seeks to resolve any outstanding planning issues". Nigel Thorns noted that the update was "a significant amount of information to digest." He added: "It is our view that there are no outstanding issues raised by any of the internal or external consultees and all detailed matters are deemed acceptable. "In addition, there have been no objections from any members of the public. "If there is any concern regarding the layout or design of the scheme in planning terms, or there are any other issues raised, then we would appreciate an opportunity to review these points in line with Planning Policy Wales." Since then, responses have come back from the Welsh Government, which removed its holding direction for the proposal, while the local county councillor, Amanda Jenner, has cancelled her request to call in the application. If approved, the development will feature two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, and would include an attenuation pond in the centre. It would also create off-road parking and a pedestrian footpath for the neighbouring All Saints Church.
Pembrokeshire Herald
9 hours ago
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Pembroke Dock braced for bank closure as MP slams Lloyds boss
Patients in Pembrokeshire left stranded without NHS dentists as new centralised 'portal' plan sparks concern PEMBROKESHIRE MP Henry Tufnell has published the results of a major survey exposing the scale of the dentistry crisis in West Wales — with 88% of respondents saying they do not have an NHS dentist. Henry Tufnell MP Now, with the Welsh Government proposing sweeping reforms to NHS dental services, concerns are growing that continuity of care could worsen and families may be forced to attend separate dental practices under a new centralised system. Mr Tufnell said the responses to his survey were 'shocking' and pointed to a system 'failing to meet the needs' of Pembrokeshire residents. Survey findings at a glance: 88% of respondents do not have an NHS dentist 60% tried to register but were told no places were available Over one-third have not seen any dentist at all Most reported emergency-only care or temporary treatment Families cited long travel distances, unaffordable costs, and health deterioration from delays In some cases, residents described waiting up to 16 years for an appointment. One patient was diagnosed with jaw cancer after multiple emergency visits, and a parent reported paying over £2,000 privately for their son's treatment. Mr Tufnell has presented the findings to Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB), which is responsible for managing local NHS dental contracts. He has pledged to work with the board and local dentists to push for urgent reform. 'Patients are suffering, and services are falling short,' Mr Tufnell said. 'Our local dental professionals are doing their best, but they are trapped in a system that simply isn't working.' Centralised 'Dental Portal' proposed The survey comes as the Welsh Government launches a public consultation on radical new proposals to tackle the growing backlog and access problems in NHS dentistry. The plan would see all adult patients placed on a central waiting list, called the Dental Access Portal, and then assigned to any surgery within the health board area — not necessarily their local or regular dentist. Under the new model: Patients would only remain with a surgery while actively receiving treatment Those with healthy teeth would be recalled for a check-up every 18–24 months Children would remain with their initially assigned dentist Some charges would increase (e.g. routine check-ups rising from £20 to £24.75), while others would drop (e.g. single crowns falling from £260 to £239.15) Health Minister Jeremy Miles said the proposed changes aim to improve fairness and make NHS dentistry more attractive to providers. 'When people need to see a dentist, they'll be able to access one — that's the critical thing,' he said. BDA and dentists voice serious concerns But the British Dental Association (BDA) and frontline dentists have warned that the proposals risk undermining continuity of care and could accelerate the move towards private dentistry. Dr Lauren Harrhy, a dentist from Pontypool, said the system may become saturated: 'There is a risk that practices will be overwhelmed with complex cases and won't be able to return patients to the central system — blocking new access entirely.' Others warned the changes could split families between surgeries and discourage patients from attending regularly, while offering no new funding to support the transition. Dr Harj Singhrao, a dentist in Newbridge, said: 'This could be devastating. If people are punished for looking after their teeth — and families are split across surgeries — it breaks trust and continuity.' Voices from the public Local voices speak out: 'A total mess' As Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell released the results of his dentistry survey, social media erupted with hundreds of personal stories and strong opinions about the crisis — and what the Welsh Government plans to do about it. Years without care, soaring bills Emma Roach shared her struggle: 'I haven't seen a dentist in seven years… I've got bleeding gums, probably need fillings, and can't afford even the check-up. I just paid £97 for new glasses — it's a mess. I'm a vet nurse, single parent, and even my 12-year-old son doesn't get free NHS dental care.' MelJane Bainee added: 'My daughter has always looked after her teeth. Now we've been told it could cost up to £5,000 to fix a dental issue — and we're not getting any help.' Others reported resorting to private schemes. 'Paying £45 a month now because of the mess of my teeth not being able to access a dentist for so many years,' wrote Abigail Louise Evans. Fury over government priorities Abi Hallett criticised local spending priorities: 'I think the money pledged for a footpath from Narberth to Haverfordwest… would be much better spent on providing some NHS dentistry.' Another comment read: 'On the day we find out Mark Drakeford is giving £36 million of Welsh taxpayers' money to Starmer, we're here without NHS dentists. Fund care in Wales first!' Warnings over Welsh Government's reforms Kirsty Fisher didn't hold back: 'The new Welsh Government dental contract is the final nail in the coffin. They're driving NHS dentists out by making the contract unworkable. Stop blaming the practices — it's government policy doing this.' Dan Chambers described the cycle many patients face: 'Get registered, get seen once, place shuts down, repeat.' Mary Dempsey added: 'If you're an NHS patient, they declare you fit after your check-up. They won't do any preventative care, especially in the elderly.' Mixed views on Henry Tufnell's efforts While some praised the MP for raising the issue, others questioned the impact. 'Does Henry live in cloud cuckoo land?' asked Ian Sturley. Myles Lewis-McGinley wrote: 'While I appreciate Henry's efforts, this has happened under 26 years of Labour in Wales. These problems didn't appear overnight.' Kevin Lloyd asked the MP directly: 'Do you use NHS dentistry yourself, or private? And how many people actually filled in this survey?' Others were more sceptical of all political parties. Mike Gideon Hodgson commented: 'Reform aren't going to make things better either — the whole political system needs reforming, not just the party.' MP calls for local solution Henry Tufnell told The Herald: 'This isn't just about waiting lists or contracts — it's about people's lives. The heartbreaking stories in my survey make one thing clear: reform must be grounded in patient care and local accountability, not bureaucracy.' The public consultation on the new proposals remains open until Wednesday, 19 June.
