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'Enough is enough' as fears grow over future of Welsh hospital
'Enough is enough' as fears grow over future of Welsh hospital

Wales Online

time17 hours ago

  • Health
  • Wales Online

'Enough is enough' as fears grow over future of Welsh hospital

'Enough is enough' as fears grow over future of Welsh hospital The health board has launched a public consultation looking at potential changes after classifying nine key services as 'critical' Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest (Image: Western Mail ) Concerns are mounting over potential service cuts at Pembrokeshire's Withybush Hospital following proposals from the health board that include transferring patients requiring specialist critical care to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen. Hywel Dda University Health Board initiated a public consultation on May 29, which will run until August 31, regarding possible changes. ‌ The board has categorised nine key services as 'critical', asserting that immediate reorganisation is essential. The identified services include critical care, dermatology, emergency general surgery, endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, radiology, stroke, and urology. ‌ There will be no alterations to how individuals access emergency care (A&E) or minor injury care. This has sparked worries that some services currently offered at Withybush Hospital may be moved to other hospitals within the health board's jurisdiction. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . In terms of critical care, three options include intensive care units remaining at Bronglais and Glangwili, an enhanced care unit being established at Withybush and Prince Philip, or patients at Prince Philip or Withybush requiring specialist critical care being transferred to Glangwili. At present, full emergency general surgery services, including surgical operations, for adults are provided at Glangwili, Bronglais and Withybush. Patients from Prince Philip are transported to Glangwili. The consultation presents two options in this area. Article continues below Consultant surgeons specialising in emergency general surgery will be stationed at Bronglais and Glangwili hospitals to provide comprehensive emergency services, including surgical procedures. Patients from Withybush requiring surgery will be transferred to Glangwili for their operations and then brought back to Withybush to recuperate when they are well enough. The arrangement for emergency general surgery consultants will see them based at Bronglais and alternating between Glangwili and Withybush weekly to carry out surgeries. Local Senedd Members Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS have emphasised the crucial role of Withybush Hospital. Paul Davies, who has consistently opposed the reduction of services at Withybush, commented: "This consultation is the latest in a long line of consultations that have all resulted in vital services being cut at Withybush hospital – and enough is enough. ‌ "It is not acceptable for the people of Pembrokeshire to have to travel further for vital health services and I will be fiercely campaigning against Hywel Dda University Health Board's latest proposals. "Withybush Hospital has been under attack for years because of the health board's ideological pursuit of a shiny new hospital elsewhere in west Wales. Withybush Hospital and the people it serves deserve support and investment, not more cuts. The Welsh Government should intervene and ensure that services stay put at Withybush hospital." The proposed new 'super hospital' is not anticipated to materialise in the forthcoming decade, as previously indicated by the health board. ‌ Sam Kurtz MS, a native of Withybush, expressed his concerns: "The loss of vital services at Withybush, including SCBU, consultant-led maternity, and children's A&E, remains deeply felt by local people. The removal of one service often renders others unviable." He further warned: "If any further service loss were to threaten the viability of the A&E department, that would be wholly unacceptable and would be a red line. It would be met with fierce opposition from the community, and I will be standing shoulder to shoulder with them in that fight." On financial matters, Pembrokeshire cabinet member, Councillor Alistair Cameron, who has voiced worries about the proposals at full council sessions, stated: "We all know the health board is struggling to deliver many of its services and it has described nine of its services as fragile." ‌ Regarding the health services' future, he added: "It has now issued a 44-page summary document on the future of these fragile services. The board needs to clearly explain the options it is looking at and make sure everyone gets a chance to have a say." Councillor Cameron also raised concerns about patient accessibility to treatments: "I can see some options involve patients having to travel further for essential treatments and that will be a major concern. There will be 11 consultative events in West Wales plus online events. However, the board needs to reach out to those who cannot make the events and do not have access to a computer." Article continues below During the May 29 meeting, medical director Mr Mark Henwood stated: "No decisions have been made on the options presented, and there are currently no preferred solutions. The changes we are looking to make are to ensure we have safe, high-quality services and affordable healthcare in the future, and have at their heart the best interests of the people of west Wales and their patient experience."

Cardiff University U-turn as plans to cut music and languages are scrapped
Cardiff University U-turn as plans to cut music and languages are scrapped

Wales Online

time27-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Wales Online

Cardiff University U-turn as plans to cut music and languages are scrapped

Cardiff University U-turn as plans to cut music and languages are scrapped It followed a public outcry against the closure of the music and modern language departments from the likes of Stormzy and Ed Sheeran Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner has issued a message to all staff (Image: Western Mail ) Cardiff University has announced it will continue offering music and modern language courses following significant pushback against earlier plans to close these departments. The reversal comes as part of a revised proposal approved by the University Executive Board (UEB), which is now set to be considered by the University Council on June, 17. The U-turn follows an outpouring of public support for the School of Music, including high-profile backing from stars such as Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles and Stormzy. ‌ The artists joined growing calls for the UK Government to help protect the department, widely respected for its global impact. Their support added to mounting pressure on university leadership and brought further attention to the cultural and academic value of music education at Cardiff. ‌ In a message to staff, Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner confirmed that if the Council approves of the plans, Cardiff University will continue to offer modern languages and music research and education at Cardiff, albeit with revised structures and with a smaller cohort, based within a new School of Global Humanities. The new School will maintain undergraduate and postgraduate Music degree programmes with "revised entry targets and content," and will continue Modern Languages programmes "to smaller cohorts, and primarily in French, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese." It will also seek to expand the university's translation degree provision and sustain its "Languages for All" offerings, with courses shaped by student demand. Article continues below Additionally, the School plans to "develop a new suite of degree programmes to fulfil the ambitions of the new School – challenge-oriented, inclusive, co-created and committed to advancing the Public Humanities agenda." Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here Professor Larner also addressed the decision not to revisit the proposal to discontinue single and joint honours degrees in Ancient History and Religion and Theology. She acknowledged that "this will be very disappointing news for all academics who are deeply committed to these disciplines," but reassured that the university "will of course continue to offer our current set of degree programmes for 2025-26 and are committed to teaching all students entering next September until the completion of their degree in these subjects." ‌ Thanking staff and students who contributed feedback and alternative proposals, Professor Larner said, "This input has been key to arriving at these proposals." She recognised the anxiety caused by the Academic Future project and expressed hope that the announcement "brings some reassurance," while noting that "there is much work yet to be done to realise the ambitions of this new School, and I hope you will feel able to play a part in this." Commenting on the announcement, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, said: "This announcement will come as a relief for many students and academics who were deeply concerned about the future of modern languages and music at Cardiff University. ‌ "However, there are concerns about the ongoing impact of the upheaval and the university's decision to discontinue several programmes. "The uncertainty caused by these prolonged deliberations and closures has undoubtedly affected Cardiff University's reputation globally. For many prospective students, the ongoing turmoil may make them reconsider Cardiff as their first-choice destination for higher education." More details will be shared during a webinar on June 3, with a recording available on Blas from June 4. Article continues below Final approval for the new structure and savings plans is expected following the University Council meeting on June 17.

Billionaire's holiday home in stunning Welsh village with a 'bloody awful' caveat
Billionaire's holiday home in stunning Welsh village with a 'bloody awful' caveat

Wales Online

time18-05-2025

  • Business
  • Wales Online

Billionaire's holiday home in stunning Welsh village with a 'bloody awful' caveat

Billionaire's holiday home in stunning Welsh village with a 'bloody awful' caveat He described the coastal spot as Wales' Côte d'Azur Simon Nixon, the co-founder of (Image: Western Mail ) Billionaire Simon Nixon, who made his fortune through the website has been crowned as the second-richest man in Wales, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. The tech entrepreneur co-founded the website in 1993. However, before the website and the billions, Mr Nixon grew up in Flintshire, North Wales, although he was born in Lincolnshire. Mr Nixon went on to make his company public in 2007, and had sold all his shares in by 2016. ‌ The billionaire had indicated an intention to leave Britain to Cheshire Live as the weather here was 'bloody awful'. ‌ He said at the time: 'I have been looking. For a long time I have wanted to spend more time in a climate where the weather is better. The whole point of having financial independence is to enhance your standard of living. 'Don't get me wrong, if I could combine a higher standard of living with lower tax that would be an advantage.' Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here Mr Nixon is reported to have moved from Chester in England to Jersey in 2013, where he owns a multi-million dollar home, according to Forbes. Article continues below Mr Nixon presently has investments in Monzo, and also makes money from his holiday home website Simon Escapes where he rents out his personal collection of luxury homes around the world from Cornwall to Malibu. The billionaire who is currently worth £1.95bn of propertY around the globe and also owns a luxury pad in Wales. Abersoch is an in-demand destination in Wales (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) ‌ He bought the Borth Cottage in Abersoch, Gwynedd in around 2011, hailing the location as Wales' Côte d'Azur. After shelling out over £1.2m on a makeover for the property, the billionaire had hoped that this luxurious property would help local businesses in the area. Speaking to Wales Online in 2013 , Mr Nixon said that if her had wanted to make money, he would have invested in something else. ‌ He said at the time: 'I want the area to prosper and do well. For me, if the area becomes an all-year round place for tourists that would be my goal.' Mr Nixon also believed that Abersoch's Coconut Kitchen was among the best Thai restaurants around. He said: 'All the fish comes from the local area, the cafes are great too and so is the surfing school. ‌ 'There are so many good facilities around that I would like to see people use – have the cafes open all year round, for example.' Though the property was initially meant to be a residence for the billionaire, but he decided against it, as he said: 'I would have felt really guilty about this. Properties are meant to be lived in – they need to breathe, and it isn't good for the area if nobody is around. 'Now people will be there for about 45 weeks of the year, people who appreciate and respect the house and its location.' Article continues below Mr Nixon's luxury lets can be rented out as part of his Simon's Escapes business.

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