Author: Rhys Gregory

A social care leader is demanding a public inquiry into the lack of Covid-19 testing which turned some care homes into  “coronavirus warzones”. According to Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, it was imperative to understand the reasons how and why the policies adopted by the UK, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments had been so misjudged. Mr Kreft was speaking after a survey from Care Forum Wales revealed that 42 per cent of care homes felt they had been pressurised into accepting hospital patients who were either Covid-19 positive or had not been tested. Until recently…

A HOT TUBS company has smashed predicted records as warm weather coupled with the Coronavirus lockdown led to a surge in sales. And Gareth Jones, Managing Director of UK Leisure Living – a past winner and runner up for Spa Retailer of the UK – is encouraging people to support local firms when restrictions are lifted as the hospitality and tourism industry in particular will take a long time to recover from the impact of the pandemic. The St Asaph and Mochdre-based business was 70% up on sales in comparison to the previous April, and May has been the busiest…

A leading Swansea University clinician is among a group of experts calling for the introduction of a risk assessment for frontline health professionals treating coronavirus patients. Their study – Risk stratification for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic – examined the demographics of those who had been hospitalised and ultimately died due to COVID-19 compared to the general population. Its authors¸ a group of clinical academics and clinicians who belong to the British Medical Association, include Dr Angharad Davies, clinical associate professor in medical microbiology at Swansea University Medical School. Dr Davies said: “Figures show that healthcare workers are at…

Cardiff’s recycling centres are to re-open for the disposal of limited items, but for safety reasons, residents will have to book a timed appointment Cardiff Council has revealed. Bessemer Close Recycling Centre will re-open next Tuesday, May 26th, followed by Lamby Way Recycling Centre on Sunday, May 31st. An online booking system has been set up and anyone that needs to visit a recycling centre will have to make an appointment. The online booking system will be available for the public to use from 12.30pm tomorrow – May 22nd The only items that canbe brought to the recycling centres for…

Morrisons is the first supermarket to offer a safe space where victims of domestic abuse can contact support services.  Morrisons is joining forces with the charity Hestia’s UK SAYS NO MORE campaign because a trip to a supermarket is such a routine activity it’s unlikely to alert an abuser. From Monday consulting rooms in pharmacies in 117 Morrisons stores will be designated safe spaces where Morrisons pharmacists – who have been specially trained – can direct those seeking help to the support they need. Information about the safe spaces and where to get help will also be shared on posters…

A South Wales whisky distillery based at the foothills of the Brecon Beacons has secured a multi-million finance facility from HSBC UK to aid its ambitious growth targets over the next five years. Penderyn Whisky, which produces award-winning single malt whiskies and spirits, is using the funding to secure its production levels and to build and equip its new visitor centre in Llandudno, North Wales. The new visitor centre, which will open on the site of a former school, is expected to be complete by spring 2021 and attract up to 100,000 people a year once open. The centre and…

The average age of those looking to put income protection (IP) in place has dropped dramatically since the outbreak of Covid-19, according to protection insurance broker and comparison service ActiveQuote. Enquiries via the ActiveQuote site from those under 25 rose by more than 400%, by more than 300% from those under 30 and by more than 250% among those under 35 year in March 2020, compared to the same time last year. Signs the crisis is already beginning to affect a new post-Covid generation of employees are beginning to emerge after the number of enquiries from customers aged 20 and…

A FAMILY who lost loved ones to cancer has completed a heartfelt virtual cross-country challenge spanning over 1,800 miles during lockdown to help raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK. The challenge which has raised £1,615 so far, is comparable to travelling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats and back to Cardiff and was achieved by five people in the same household doing a mix of daily runs, walks, and cycles outside and on a static bike. It was an emotional journey for dad Grant Findlay as both his parents died of cancer. Grant’s wife Alison also lost her…

The maximum fine for repeated breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules in Wales will rise from £120 to £1,920, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced. The increased fines are being introduced ahead of the bank holiday weekend and they follow a request from the four police forces in Wales and the Police and Crime Commissioners for increased penalties to help deter people from repeatedly breaching the stay-at-home regulations. Evidence from the four police forces show a small minority of people are breaking the coronavirus regulations, particularly by traveling to well-known beauty spots throughout Wales, even though they have been closed…

Digital accessibility and support for people with sight loss is more important than ever during lockdown, says a blind campaigner. Richard Zimbler, 36, from Welshpool, is calling for digital accessibility to be championed this month as part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 21st) and reminding blind and partially sighted people across Wales that technology help and advice is still available at this time. As lockdown continues, people are finding themselves more reliant on devices and digital communication than ever before. But for the 121,000 blind and partially sighted people in Wales, being able to use apps, websites and devices…