Author: Rhys Gregory

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is sad to report the loss of a third colleague to Covid-19. Alan Haigh, an emergency medical technician with 22 years’ service, died yesterday (Tuesday 09 February 2021) in hospital. Alan, who was 59 and lived in Cwmduad, Carmarthenshire, joined the ambulance service in 1998 and worked for the non-emergency patient transport service in Newquay and Lampeter. In 2008, he became an urgent care assistant, and later qualified as an emergency medical technician, based in Carmarthen, Whitland and eventually Newquay. Alan, who was originally from Farnborough, Hampshire, is survived by his wife Sian, sons Ryan, 26,…

A group of GP surgeries in the Lower Swansea Valley is now offering a remote counselling and psychotherapy service for adults experiencing emotional distress and mental health challenges alongside its programme for youngsters. The service, being brought in by the Cwmtawe Cluster (Cwmtawe Medical Group, Strawberry Place Surgery and Llansamlet Surgery), is timely with an increase in demand for such a service being widely attributed to the effects of the Covid pandemic. It is being delivered by REACH, a Swansea-based counselling service, and will for the most part see sessions carried out via telephone or video calls over the internet.…

The number of people buying private health insurance for the first time has doubled since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to leading UK protection comparison site ActiveQuote. Sales of Private Medical Insurance (PMI) to first-time customers were up on average by 100% across November, December and January this year, compared to the amount coming through at the beginning of the pandemic across March, April, and May 2020. This newfound consumer interest in PMI shows no signs of slowing in 2021 either, with private healthcare sales to first-time buyers up 32% between December and January alone. Rod Jones, Head…

Construction on the Lakeside Wing, which is based on the grounds of the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) site, has finished with the building officially handed over to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB). As of Monday 8 February, building work on the new surge facility has been completed, just 20 weeks after construction first started. This means that the ownership of the modular build has been given to the Health Board from the primary contactors, Darwin Group Ltd. Delivering an additional 234 beds, the completion of the Southern Wing of the site by Darwin Group brings the total…

Former Wales prop forward Peter Rogers has become one of the country’s oldest apprentices as he uses the skills gained whilst playing international rugby union against the world’s best teams to guide his new career in health and social care. Peter, 51, who won 18 caps for Wales and played club rugby for London Irish, Newport, Cardiff and Roma, believes it’s an ideal career for ex-professional sportsmen and women to consider. “For some people, it may not seem the most glamorous job in the world, but I would say that domiciliary health care is ideal for professional sportspeople who do…

Talented trainees were recognised in Wales’s top environmental and land-based awards as they celebrated numerous achievements at a very challenging time for the industry. Announced virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lantra Cymru Wales’ Land-based Learner of the Year Awards recognised the initiative, skills and enthusiasm of individuals pursuing careers within the environmental and land-based sectors. Winner of the Learner of the Year Award (20 years and under) went to John Williams from Whitford, Holywell in Flintshire, with David Goodchild from Llwyngwril in Gwynedd announced as winner of the Learner of the Year Award (21 years and…

A new pilot scheme to provide better access to longer term affordable and good quality housing in the private rented sector is underway in Cardiff. Cardiff Council has said they are keen to work with residential landlords in the city who have properties available to lease to the authority for a period of five years, to increase the amount of affordable homes available for tenants. The scheme is funded by Welsh Government and will be managed by the Council, offering a significant range of support services and benefits to private landlords and tenants, including: Financial assistance to improve a property;…

Swansea Council plans to create a new community hub on the city centre High Street. It would mean important new space for members of the local community to meet with third sector organisations and others. The idea is to strengthen the local community. The council seeks planning permission to create the hub in three neighbouring retail units that no longer have tenants – 107-109 High Street. The change of use would see the properties refurbished, including new electrics, replastering, new kitchen and office space and an open plan area at the front. A number of local groups have been consulted;…

Work has started on a new Splash Pad attraction for children and families to replace the popular former Aquasplash facility at the Aberavon Seafront. The new attraction will include a range of more than 30 exciting water features including fountains, jets and “waterfalls”. Aquasplash proved to be a massively successful attraction to both local residents and visitors alike for many years.  Unfortunately, the repair and maintenance necessary to keep it open for another season made it financially unviable. The time had therefore come for a replacement. The new Splash Pad will no longer have at its centre a standing pool…

Two overnight closures have been confirmed for the eastbound lane of the M4 motorway between Junction 37 at Pyle and Junction 35 at Pencoed in Bridgend County Borough. The closures are necessary so that essential roadworks can be carried out by the South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA), which is responsible for managing, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in South Wales on behalf of Welsh Government. The first full overnight closure will be place on Thursday 11 February from 8pm until 6am the following morning, and again on Friday 12 February from 8pm-6am. Access will be maintained for…