Latest news with #SamEvans
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Thousands in west Wales waiting too long for eye care
Nearly half of those patients have already waited more than 36 weeks, raising fears of avoidable, permanent vision loss. The latest figures come during Cataract Awareness Month and highlight what health professionals are calling a growing crisis in eye care across South Wales. Of the total waiting, more than 8,000 patients in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area are breaching target treatment times. Sam Evans, a consultant ophthalmologist in west Wales, said: "I'm frustrated. "We're seeing avoidable sight loss because people simply cannot get seen in time. "Cataracts are treatable, but patients don't need to wait as long as they are, and are coming to harm with these long waits." Mr Evans runs a private 'see and treat' cataract service in west Wales, working with optometrists who provide clinical referrals. His model offers telephone consultations and surgery within two to four weeks of referral, often requiring just a single hospital visit. He has also performed same-day bilateral cataract surgery for five years and believes the approach is both safe and efficient. Mr Evans said: "In many cases patients only need to come to the hospital once – for surgery on both eyes, and need no further visits. "This approach is fantastic for older patients who struggle to get to the hospital for repeated visits." The service has proven especially valuable in rural areas like Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Ceredigion, where travel to hospital can be a major barrier. One patient, Ron Jenkins, waited more than two and a half years for NHS surgery before opting for Mr Evans' service. He said: "After waiting over two years on the NHS list, I was hesitant to go private but my vision was getting worse and affecting my daily life. "I wasn't sure about having a phone assessment at first, but it worked brilliantly. "I was offered a one-stop visit for assessment and surgery, saving me a 55-mile round trip. "The care was excellent, the surgery painless, and I'm now driving at night and reading fine measurements again, life back to normal." Optometrist Rachel Brady said: "Embracing the convenience of telephone consultations and the innovative 'see and treat' approach in cataract surgery transforms the patient experience, eliminating the need for multiple, time-consuming exams and logistical hurdles." Mr Evans believes June's Cataract Awareness Month should lead to real change. He said: "Awareness campaigns matter — but awareness alone isn't enough. "We need real action. "The solutions exist, but need to be put into place at scale."
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Thousands in west Wales waiting too long for eye care
Nearly half of those patients have already waited more than 36 weeks, raising fears of avoidable, permanent vision loss. The latest figures come during Cataract Awareness Month and highlight what health professionals are calling a growing crisis in eye care across South Wales. Of the total waiting, more than 8,000 patients in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area are breaching target treatment times. Sam Evans, a consultant ophthalmologist in west Wales, said: "I'm frustrated. "We're seeing avoidable sight loss because people simply cannot get seen in time. "Cataracts are treatable, but patients don't need to wait as long as they are, and are coming to harm with these long waits." Mr Evans runs a private 'see and treat' cataract service in west Wales, working with optometrists who provide clinical referrals. His model offers telephone consultations and surgery within two to four weeks of referral, often requiring just a single hospital visit. He has also performed same-day bilateral cataract surgery for five years and believes the approach is both safe and efficient. Mr Evans said: "In many cases patients only need to come to the hospital once – for surgery on both eyes, and need no further visits. "This approach is fantastic for older patients who struggle to get to the hospital for repeated visits." The service has proven especially valuable in rural areas like Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Ceredigion, where travel to hospital can be a major barrier. One patient, Ron Jenkins, waited more than two and a half years for NHS surgery before opting for Mr Evans' service. He said: "After waiting over two years on the NHS list, I was hesitant to go private but my vision was getting worse and affecting my daily life. "I wasn't sure about having a phone assessment at first, but it worked brilliantly. "I was offered a one-stop visit for assessment and surgery, saving me a 55-mile round trip. "The care was excellent, the surgery painless, and I'm now driving at night and reading fine measurements again, life back to normal." Optometrist Rachel Brady said: "Embracing the convenience of telephone consultations and the innovative 'see and treat' approach in cataract surgery transforms the patient experience, eliminating the need for multiple, time-consuming exams and logistical hurdles." Mr Evans believes June's Cataract Awareness Month should lead to real change. He said: "Awareness campaigns matter — but awareness alone isn't enough. "We need real action. "The solutions exist, but need to be put into place at scale."
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Spectacular Meatopia festival to debut in Scotland as full chef and music lineup revealed
The event will takes place at SWG3 in Glasgow from June 6 to 8. A culinary spectacle is coming to Scotland for the first time. The legendary festival celebrating cooking with fire, Meatopia is set to make its highly anticipated debut. Glasgow recently got a taste of the heat with a free pop up barbeque at The Social Hub, drawing crowds eager to sample flame cooked dishes from local talents like Nick Watkins, El Perro Negro, Rob Aitken of Margo, and Ashley Bennett of Ka Pao. The main festival takes place at SWG3 in Glasgow from June 6 to 8. Over three days, the iconic venue will be transformed into a smoky haven dedicated to the art of open flame cookery, complemented by an array of drinks and live music. After months of anticipation, Meatopia Glasgow has now released its full day by day line up, showcasing a packed schedule of top fire cooking talent from Scotland and across the globe. Ticket prices vary depending on days, with the lowest general admission price starting at £24 for Friday. But BBQ fans will want to be quick as tickets are flying fast, with all Saturday tickets completely fully sold out. The roster features a blend of international stars and acclaimed Scottish chefs. Highlights include revered pitmaster Pat Martin from Martin's Bar B Que Joint joining forces with cult favourite Lee Tiernan of FKA Black Axe Mangal for a stateside x UK barbeque mash up. This marks Pat's first time cooking his legendary whole hog in Scotland. From Dubai, Hattem Mattar brings flavours from the Middle East's only artisanal smokehouse, Mattar Farm. Returning duo Sam Evans & Shauna Guinn of Hang Fire BBQ offer their signature Southern style, while BBC's Flamebaster, Chris Roberts, flies the flag for Welsh fire cooking. Scottish legends and rising stars are also prominent, with collaborations like Nick Watkins and Elliot Cunningham of El Perro Negro x Lagom, and inventive flair from Craig Nelson of Ox and Finch and Ashley Bennett of Ka Pao. Here is the full chef lineup for each day: Friday June 6 Roberta Hall McCarron & Dominic Greechan, Ardfern Craig Nelson, Ox and Finch Ashley Bennett, Ka Pao Zak Young, Outlier Sam Evans & Shauna Guinn, Hang Fire BBQ Maureen Tyne, Maureen's Brixton Kitchen Kaori Simpson, Harajuku Kitchen Andrew Manson, Cafe XO Iain Gourlay, Smoke N Flame Rob Hallas, Bastards Bistro Hattem Mattar, Mattar Farm Gregg Boyd, Auld Hag Rafa's Diner Cai Ap Bryn, Games and Flames Bruce Clyne Watson, Feast Alba Saturday June 7 Dean Parker, Celentano's Roberta Hall McCarron & Dominic Greechan, The Little Chartroom Danny Carruthers, Sebb's Ashley Bennett, Ka Pao Zak Young, Outlier David Summertime & Gerrard Warrender Pat Martin & Lee Tiernan, Martin's Bar B Que Joint x FKA Black Axe Mangal Sam Evans & Shauna Guinn, Hang Fire BBQ Melissa Thompson & Maureen Tyne, Maureen's Brixton Kitchen Calum Montgomery, Edinbane Lodge John Ross Patrick, Saint Luke's & The Winged Ox Chris Roberts, Flamebaster Rob Hallas, Bastard's Bistro Colin Anderson, Brett Nick Watkins & Elliot Cunningham, El Perro Negro x Lagom Hattem Mattar, Mattar Farm Gregg Boyd, Auld Hag Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! 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Sunday June 8 Hamish McNeill, Eleanore Craig Grozier, Fallachan Robin Aitken, Margo Thomas Greer, BABA David Summertime & Gerrard Warrender Pat Martin & Lee Tiernan, Martin's Bar B Que Joint x FKA Black Axe Mangal Melissa Thompson & Maureen Tyne, Maureen's Brixton Kitchen Amy Elles, The Laughing Stock Sam Grainger & Mark Dickey, Belzan Cai Ap Bryn, Games and Flames Bruce Clyne Watson, Feast Alba John Ross Patrick, Saint Luke's & The Winged Ox Alex Brady, Corner Shop Adding to the festival atmosphere is a 'fire fuelled sounds' music lineup. Expect everything from brass and funk to late night DJ sets. Live acts include Bohemian Monk Machine and Mickey 9s, among others. Headline DJ sets each evening feature Éclair Fifi (Friday), Shaka Loves You (Saturday), and Athens of the North (Sunday), supported by other DJs across multiple stages. Meatopia Glasgow is a ticketed event, with admission pre-booked online. The festival operates using Meatopia's Meatbucks, purchased in advance or during the event, which are exchanged for bespoke dishes cooked over live fire by the chefs each day.
