Author: Rhys Gregory

One of the oldest Icelandic whooper swans on record has been found in Pembrokeshire – having spent almost three decades on Earth. RSPCA Cymru was alerted after a member of the public found the male swan grounded underneath power lines in the Letterson area of the county on 1 April, after a suspected collision. Other swans – believed to be joining the swan on a flight back to Iceland – were circling above the stricken swan; who was then confined by a member of the public before RSPCA rescuers were contacted. RSPCA animal rescue officer (ARO) Ellie West rushed him…

A cutting-edge tech platform built by Anglesey-born surgeon Dr Owain Rhys Hughes has been adopted by several major NHS organisations as part of efforts to shorten waiting lists and improve collaboration between medics. Welsh NHS figures reveal that in February of this year, almost 690,000 patients were waiting to start treatment, a number that has risen every month since the start of the pandemic. However, Dr Hughes’ digital technology, Cinapsis SmartReferrals, is designed to tackle these lengthening waiting lists and reduce the growing pressure on NHS services. The desktop and smartphone-accessible platform supports primary care staff (including GPs, optometrists and…

Money can’t buy you love but it does make your profile more attractive when it comes to online dating. New research has revealed that level of education and income are particularly important, especially for men. Evolutionary psychologist Dr Andrew G Thomas, from Swansea University’s School of Psychology, was involved in the study which examined almost 2 million dating profiles and revealed that being more educated and earning more money increases the amount of interest received. Dr Thomas said: “We wanted to find out if we could predict how much attention, – whether messages, winks or likes – a person’s dating…

Simon Cassidy, Head of Placement Experience and Improvement at HEIW has received a Chief Nursing Office Wales Excellence Award. This is for the support he provided trainee nurses throughout Covid-19 and his contribution to the development of several common elements that underpin future nurse programmes. The pandemic brought unforeseen challenges for nursing students to continue their training in placement settings. Approximately 6,500 nursing students are enrolled on healthcare programmes in Wales each year. Nursing programmes involve students undertaking practice placements where they need to apply their knowledge to practice. However, the pandemic threatened this approach and jeopardised students’ opportunity to…

Sex Education Actor Ncuti Gatwa will take over from Jodie Whittaker as the star of Doctor Who.  He will become the 14th Time Lord on the popular science fiction show – and the first person of colour to play the lead role.  He said: “It feels really amazing. It’s a true honour. This role is an institution and it’s so iconic. It means a lot to so many people, including myself.  “I feel very grateful to have had the baton handed over and I’m going to try to do my best.”  Gatwa will make his debut on the show in…

A group of GP surgeries in the Lower Swansea Valley is asking its patients for any suggestions for initiatives that may help combat loneliness. The move, initiated by the Cwmtawe Cluster, coincides with Mental Health Awareness week (9-15 May). The Mental Health Foundation, which oversees the week, has chosen loneliness as its theme this year and is encouraging people across the country to reflect on loneliness and how it impacts mental health. Loneliness has become more of an issue during the pandemic with so many people experiencing isolation. The cluster, comprising Cwmtawe Medical Group, Strawberry Place Surgery and Llansamlet Surgery,…

Pembrokeshire County Council has commissioned a team from ‘Rooted in Place’ to find out from local people – in their own words – what makes Haverfordwest special. Rooted in Place’s team including a brand designer, illustrator, marketing and place professional, will be out and about in the community for the next few months with a town centre pop-up studio being created on Bridge Street on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th May for the first stage of the work. Local people, local businesses and visitors are encouraged to pop in to have their say. By taking part members of the public will…

A new Cyber Innovation Hub to help Wales become a global leader in the sector will be operational later this year, thanks to a £3m investment from the Welsh Government, First Minister, Mark Drakeford announced today. The Welsh Government is making a £3m investment in the new Hub over 2 years, with £3m of co-funding from Cardiff Capital Region and £3.5m of in-kind match funding from consortium partners. The First Minister made the announcement during the first day of the UK’s flagship cyber security conference – CYBERUK 2022. CYBERUK, which is run by the National Cyber Security Centre – a…

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has reappointed 15 members to Community Health Councils across Wales. The members will represent North Wales, Hywel Dda, Aneurin Bevan, South Glamorgan, Swansea Bay and Cwm Taf Morgannwg Community Health Councils. From April 2023, the new Citizen Voice Body (CVB) will replace the Community Health Councils and will continue to represent the voice of patients for their healthcare and in addition, social care services. Each CHC covers a distinct geographical area in Wales, which aligns with the local health board responsible for designing and delivering NHS services in that area. Community Health Councils are responsible for…

Hollywood is crown-headed for picking up some sensational souls, terrains, and plotlines for its movies. While searching for these three-in-one, Wales never disappoints. Welsh dominant actors’ backdrop scenes like rolling hills and unforgettable storylines always put Hollywood on a boost. Today, we’ll talk about those 8 impressive movies to watch on Wales’ cold evenings. These movies are tapped in Wales, narrated in welsh, produced by a Welsh, or lead played by Welsh actors. If you are an action movie freak and want to watch impressive action films based on high-quality resolutions and plots, Welsh action movies will back you up.…