Author: Rhys Gregory

A blind campaigner is supporting RNIB Cymru in calling for supermarkets and Welsh Government to recognise that people with sight loss need priority access to online shopping. Rachel Jones, 35, from Powys, says she has found it impossible to book a delivery slot in April and worries that people living with sight loss across Wales will struggle to keep their cupboards full during lockdown. Rachel said: “I live in mid Wales so am quite isolated anyway, but now I am suddenly not able to go to the supermarket at all. The nearest Sainsburys is 30 miles away. I can’t use…

Final year medical students from Swansea University will be joining NHS staff in the fight against Covid-19. The General Medical Council is offering early provisional registration to students who wish to sign up to begin duties and help respond to the pandemic. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Head of Graduate Entry Medicine at Swansea University Medical School, said the students would be contacted individually by the GMC in the next week to invite them to apply for early pre-registration. She said: “Swansea Medical School is proud of its excellent final year students, most of whom have already volunteered to work clinically in…

One of the UK’s largest recruitment agencies, Smart Solutions, has reported surge in the use of its virtual workforce management portal as ‘safe distancing’ companies scramble to recruit in sectors under demand. The Newport-headquartered company has responded to the increase in employment issues created by the Covid-19 pandemic with a series of measures to support both employers and employees across the UK. Staff have been working around the clock as many sectors have been affected by the pandemic. Huge reductions in operations have been made in some areas, where others, especially waste and recycling, logistics and food retail have launched…

LEADING South Wales security company Specialist Security has offered advice to those with vacant commercial property. As many businesses adapt to working remotely, hundreds of thousands of commercial properties are being left vacant. During this time, it is important for business owners and building managers to ensure all commercial property is appropriately secured, says Specialist Security managing director Rachel Fleri. Failing to secure a commercial property properly can lead to it being broken into, vandalised or its contents, including stock and essential equipment, damaged. Not only does this have the potential to further delay the business being able to return…

The Together for Cardiff volunteer force is now a 1,000-strong group of residents from across the city who have pledged to give their time and services to help people in need during the COVID-19 emergency. In only two weeks, the scheme has been flooded with offers of support and assistance as the city gets to grips with the challenges presented by the Coronavirus crisis and seeks to ensure that vulnerable people are able to get the provisions and support they need at this difficult time. Hosted on the Volunteer Cardiff website, Together for Cardiff acts as abrokering service, matching people…

Up to 7,000 extra hospital beds are being created by NHS Wales as it prepares for an increase in coronavirus cases, Health Minister Vaughan Gething today revealed. Critical care capacity has more than doubled across Wales and 1,000 new ventilators are on order. The plans have been bolstered by a massive response from recently retired NHS staff ready to return to work – 1,300 healthcare professionals have already responded and 1,200 registered GP locums are preparing to enter the NHS Wales workforce. They will be supported by thousands of trainees. Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I have been overwhelmed by…

Cardiff-based Zipporah is offering its market leading Appointment and Booking Solution, free of charge, to all local Government organisations throughout April and May. The product, (named ‘Generic’), is Zipporah’s leading Booking and Appointment solution, allowing councils to get residents booking their phone-based appointments and call-backs with the aim of ensuring home working can be effectively handled – without the need for anyone to leave the house. The system will ensure that customers will receive an email confirmation of their booking and should significantly reduce demand to customer service staff via their telephone lines. As with all Zipporah solutions, Generic is fully…

A company that first got into business by making cough syrup 166 years ago, has reported enormous interest in its newly launched hand sanitiser gels which claims can kill the coronavirus. The Cardiff-based survival equipment manufacturer, BCB International Ltd, is renowned for supplying its products and packs to emergency services, including the police and military. In 1854, Dr. Brown came up with a cough medicine and shipped some off to British troops suffering in the trenches in the Crimean War. Dr Brown’s Cough Bottle gave the initials for a registered company, BCB. In recent weeks, the company has converted its fuel…

A range of help and support has been put in place for people experiencing difficulties with food and other essential provisions at this time. Staff and volunteers at Cardiff Council are helping to provide emergency food parcels to those struggling financially or for those self isolating with no family or support during the Coronavirus outbreak. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to many countries across the world, claiming over 55,000 lives and infecting over 1 million people. A range of help is available from shopping for food for those who cannot leave home themselves, to the provision of emergency parcels…

South Wales Police are investigating a fatal road traffic collision which occurred shortly after 6:30pm on the evening of Friday 3rd  April 2020, at the junction of the A4119 James Street and Adelaide Street, Cardiff Bay. The collision involved a KTM RC8 motorcycle and a Cardiff Bus. Unfortunately the male rider of the motorcycle, a 34 year old local male, died at scene as a result of his injuries despite the best efforts of Ambulance and Air Ambulance staff. The male’s family are being supported by a specially trained officer. South Wales Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the…