Author: Rhys Gregory

Vital supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health and care workers in Wales have today been flown into Cardiff Airport. A chartered flight carrying 200,000 fluid resistant gowns will arrive from Cambodia. Today’s flight has been arranged through Welsh contacts and is the first of two due to arrive this week, which will replenish vital supplies of gowns for the NHS and social care staff in Wales. In total, 660,000 gowns will be flown in to Cardiff Airport on the flights, from Phnom Penh, in Cambodia and Hangzhou, in China. First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Since the start…

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board now has 384 extra beds available and ready for patients, should they be needed during the Coronavirus outbreak. Contractors building the new Grange University Hospital at Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran, handed over a number of finished ward areas this week (Monday 27th April) – months ahead of schedule. Laing O’Rourke and Gleeds worked around the clock to get the extra capacity at the new hospital ready in just four weeks. Fortunately the Health Board has not yet seen the surge in cases it expected so the beds do not need to be opened at present. Chief Executive…

Two people have been arrested following an attempted armed robbery in Bryncethin, Bridgend. Officers were called to Blackmill Shop on Blackmill Road shortly after 7pm yesterday (Monday, April 27). A shop worker suffered minor injuries after she was struck by a missile – believed to have been from a crossbow – during the incident. A man and a woman, both aged 34, were arrested in the area a short time later. They are currently in custody, having been arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery. The man has also been arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.…

Following a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Barry on Sunday, the family have released a tribute. Alan Jones, 62 years old, from Penarth was travelling on his silver Yamaha motorbike, westbound on the A4050 Port Road East, Barry when the collision happened. His family have said: “Alan was a husband, father and devoted grandfather and was well known as a postman in the local area. The family are devastated by his sudden, tragic passing and this will leave a massive void in all of our lives.” Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 11.15am following the…

Leading pensions and employee benefit advisor Quantum Advisory is calling for companies to make sure they fully understand how to treat furloughed staff in relation to pensions.

Staff at Hospital Innovations have ‘virtually’ joined together to support National Donate Life Month and raise awareness of the importance of tissue donation.

The first-ever digital-only Hay Festival will bring writers and readers together 18-31 May 2020 in free live broadcasts and interactive Q&As. Hay Festival Digital will see more than 100 award-winning writers, global policy makers, historians, pioneers and innovators take part, celebrating the best new fiction and non-fiction, and interrogating some of the biggest issues of our time, from Covid-19 and world health, to the climate crisis and our future, under the theme of #ImagineTheWorld. What would have been the Hay Festival Programme for Schools will also take place online, kicking things off with five days of storytelling and live performances for KS…

Wales’s leading cancer charities are urging people with cancer symptoms to see their doctor as GPs warn the coronavirus outbreak is keeping people with these symptoms away. The 20 charities in the Wales Cancer Alliance are asking people to see their GP as usual if they have concerning symptoms such as changes to their body, unexplained lumps or bleeding and coughs which don’t go away after three weeks. Their warning comes as many GPs in Wales report a worrying drop in the number of people who are seeing them with suspected cancer symptoms. Clinicians are reporting a 75 per cent…

BCB International provides lifesaving equipment for police and defence forces. The focus of the family-run, Welsh-based business has always been to protect those on the front line. Since January their efforts have changed to protecting our public servants on the frontline in our NHS and emergency services in our fight against COVID-19. By converting one of their factories the company is making stronger strength hand sanitisers. Made with 80% alcohol content the sanitisers kill 99.999% of viruses, including COVID-19. Working round the clock the company have taken on 30 additional staff to deliver the orders of sanitisers and other much…

The general manager of the world’s first first preserved railway in Mid Wales has thanked supporters who have contributed nearly £67,000 in four weeks towards a £75,000 appeal for funds. The Covid19 pandemic has meant that Talyllyn Railway at Tywyn is unable to run trains until further notice. The narrow gauge railway, which closed on March 20, has already missed the traditionally busy Easter period, and is set to miss the first Bank Holiday weekend in May at a minimum. An appeal has been launched to cover fixed costs of £25,000 a month for three months. The response from generous…