Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales is playing a leading role in the UK programme for treating coronavirus patients using a blood donation extract taken from people who have recovered from COVID19 – ‘convalescent plasma’. Non COVID19  plasma has been used daily in NHS Wales for a variety of needs for many years. COVID19 convalescent plasma will help patients develop immunity as it ‘transfuses’ antibodies against the virus, helping the receiving individual fight infection. Recovered patients are being invited by letter, if eligible,  to donate blood to the scheme.  The Welsh Blood Service,  Welsh Government, Public Health Wales and University Hospital of Wales are now…

Whether you borrowed debt for your business or personal situations, there can be many issues that can come after it. For instance, the lender may have induced a large interest rate in the paperwork. It can also be that the lender suddenly wants their money back or you find yourself being unable to return the amount when the time comes. Regardless of the reason, nobody wants to be drowned in debt. The good news is that there are potential options you can choose to manage your personal or business insolvency. From financial management to finding a professional that will negotiate…

Whilst some areas will remain dry, a few thunderstorms are expected to break out during the course of the afternoon and early evening before fading later. Where thunderstorms do occur, torrential downpours could produce 20-30 mm and possibly as much as 40-50 mm of rain in 2-3 hours. Frequent lightning is likely, along with hail and gusty winds in a few places. What to expect There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a…

Churches across Wales and the UK remain empty, as Easter celebrations take place at home under lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic. Archbishop of Wales, John Davies, has released at Easter message that talks of ‘love and light’ amidst the worry and suffering of the on-going plight of coronavirus. The message comes at a time when worldwide deaths of coronavirus tops 100,000, with many countries facing life under lockdown for the foreseeable future. As coronavirus sweeps across the world and frontline services reach breaking point, Abp John Davies’ message will bring hope to many. Local congregations won’t be missing out though,…

As the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues, Bridgend County Borough Council is undertaking a range of measures to help protect the public ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Four vehicles are being fitted with loudspeakers and a public address system which will broadcast the bilingual message “Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.” Working closely in partnership with South Wales Police, the tannoy cars will travel the county borough broadcasting the message and will be dispatched to areas where people are reported to be breaking requirements on social distancing. Digital signage is also being set up on the primary routes…

Coronavirus has closed Wales’s historic sites but this week, Cadw has donated food supplies from its castles, abbeys and monuments to help communities across the country. With provisions taken from 24 heritage sites, Cadw has donated more than 1,000 food items to public services across Wales — including food banks, community charities, homelessness centres and local school hubs, which are still operating to support the children of key workers. Delivered in Cardiff, Rhyl, Barmouth, Pembrokeshire, Cwmbran and Pontypool, Cadw’s donation boxes comprise a selection of luxury food including: fudge, Welsh cakes, bara brith, biscuits, jams, chutneys and Easter Eggs —…

Vital health workers and people making essential journeys across Wales this Easter weekend can access the latest public transport information thanks to Traveline Cymru’s dedicated Coronavirus page. Many operators will be running a different to normal service this weekend and Traveline Cymru is regularly updating train and bus information via its page, as operators continue to alter their timetables. The Welsh Government public transport information service is supporting key workers, and those making essential journeys, following the Government’s ban on all non-essential travel in a bid to stem the spread of the virus. Through its Coronavirus page, which has been…

A specialist advice service for GPs, paramedics and other healthcare professionals caring for patients in the community has gone live in record time. Consultant Connect is an innovative phone app which allows them to obtain advice rapidly from a range of hospital consultants. It has been successfully used by the NHS in England and Scotland, and is now being introduced in Wales with Welsh Government funding. Swansea Bay is the first Welsh health board to launch it. And whereas implementing Consultant Connect usually takes six to eight weeks, the app went live this week after just 72 hours. Initially, the…

Consultants at Morriston Hospital are concerned that cardiac patients could be putting their lives at risk during the Coronavirus pandemic. Some patients appear to be avoiding hospitals and pharmacies because of the outbreak. Doctors are now urging them to continue their treatment plans, or they could become seriously ill. Four people who had previously had stents fitted have ended up back in hospital in the last week because they did not take vital medication. Others are believed to be failing to seek medical advice while suffering chest pains at home, a potential sign of a heart attack which if untreated…

17-year-old Aamir was brutally murdered at his family home in Roath on the afternoon of Sunday, April 11 2010 while waiting for his Quran teacher. One man wanted in connection with his murder, Wales’ most wanted man – Mohammed Ali Ege – has now become one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives. His face appears on the Europol website as South Wales Police continues to work with the National Crime Agency and international law enforcement agencies to trace the 42-year-old and return him to the UK. In February 2013 Ben Hope and Jason Richards were convicted of the murder Aamir Siddiqi…