Author: Rhys Gregory

Lockdown has made many things more challenging, none more so than giving birth. But thanks to the dedication of our maternity staff and the bravery of mums and dads, Swansea Bay University Health Board has welcomed more than 150 bundles of joy both in Singleton and Neath Port Talbot hospitals and at home during these anxious times. We have gathered together some of their stories and pictures to inspire, offer hope and make you smile. Among the babies welcomed was Millie Hopkins-Evans who was born at Singleton weighing 8lb 4oz on April 21st. Mum Laura Evans is deaf and relies…

Food Innovation Wales has provided vital technical support to a Llanelli-based food and drink manufacturer to help them launch six new products in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.  With a workforce of nearly 50 people, Llanelli-based Prima Foods specialises in the manufacture of suet, dumpling and pastry products. The company supplies the retail, ready meal and foodservice sectors and has a number of major UK manufacturing customers. Since lockdown started in mid-March, Prima hasn’t been fazed by the challenges presented by COVID-19 and the company has maintained full staffing levels and manufacturing across key product lines. The business has…

From today, First Cymru will increase services on several routes across its network in an effort to ensure key workers are able to travel to work. At the same time, increased social distancing measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of passengers and staff, including a reduction in the number of passengers that can be carried down to a capacity of 25%. Passengers will begin to see posters and capacity stickers appearing on the buses, these show the existing and newly introduced safety measures. Customers are advised to take note of the ways in which they can help, by…

Changes to advice for people shielding from coronavirus are being introduced from Monday 1 June. On Sunday, Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething announced plans to ease the lockdown restrictions recommended for people with health conditions, which put them at the highest risk of harm from the virus. People who have been shielding can now take exercise outdoors and meet people from another household, as long as it takes place outdoors. There are two changes to the advice for this group: Outdoor exercise is unlimited, as long as individuals strictly follow social distancing rules and hygiene practices. Those…

Following the announcement by Welsh Government on Friday, Caerphilly Council has taken the decision to reopen the car parks of country parks in the area. All 5 parks will reopen, however the car park at the bottom end of the Sirhowy Valley Country Park will not re-open yet due to ongoing tree felling works by Natural Resources Wales. Cllr. Philippa Marsden, Leader of Caerphilly Council, said, “I welcome this decision to allow our residents to once again enjoy our beautiful country parks, however I must stress the importance of social distancing when using these facilities. As a community you have…

Hundreds of people joined together in support of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd in the US. The demonstration took place outside Cardiff Castle and was organised following the death of Mr Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May while in police custody. There has been civil unrest across the USA sparked by the 46-year-old’s death, which has sparked worldwide protests including those in UK cities. Ex-policeman Derek Chauvin, 44, was sacked and has since been charged with murdering Mr Floyd. George Floyd, died in police custody after being arrested outside a shop in Minneapolis,…

Detectives in Barry are appealing for information and potential witnesses following a suspected arson attack which affected two neighbouring homes. South Wales Police was called to assist the fire service at Clos Tear shortly after 3am today (Sunday, May 31), after a resident reported a fire affecting the rear of two properties. The fire, which is believed to have been started deliberately, caused damage to the fencing and gardens, as well as to the doors to the houses. Fortunately, no-one was injured during the incident. Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area in the early…

The main outpatient waiting areas at Morriston Hospital have changed almost beyond recognition as the fight against COVID-19 continues. Just a few months ago they would have been filled with people waiting for their appointments, to have blood taken, to be seen in the fracture clinic or treated in the plaster room. Now there are dozens of beds, and space for even more where the most critically unwell patients can be cared for if there is a surge in admissions. Hopefully that day will never come. But the capacity is there if needed. Morriston Hospital has already undergone significant changes…

Welsh Education Minister Kirsty Williams has written to England’s Minister of State for Universities expressing a ‘deep concern’ over plans to announce the UK Government’s intention to introduce temporary student number controls in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter sent to Michelle Donelan, the Education Minister says she is ‘disappointed that the UK Government proposes to introduce student number controls in respect of English domiciled students attending Welsh institutions’ adding that the approach is ‘not in the best interests of the UK as a whole’. In the letter she writes: “I am deeply concerned that you have chosen…

Swansea Council recently made changes to the domiciliary care service in the region in a bid to boost the sector and improve the quality of care that people receive in their homes. This is critical in a time where people want to live independently at home along with the rising costs of residential and nursing homes. New Contracts In late 2019, new contracts were awarded to domiciliary care companies in Swansea which resulted in around 275 people receiving care from a new provider. These companies assist the elderly in their own homes and can assist with washing, dressing, medication, cooking…