Author: Rhys Gregory

In just 10 days, Principality Stadium has been transformed into a field hospital for coronavirus patients in Wales. In March, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board revealed that the pitch famous for hosting international Welsh rugby matches would be covered. The stadium has been named the Dragon’s Heart Hospital. The hospital opened on Easter Sunday with 300 beds and is ready to start taking patients. Once fully kitted out, the stadium will be able to look after 2,000 patients. Hospitality suites have also been made available by the WRU to house hospital beds. Speaking ahead of the opening, Len Richards, Chief Executive of…

CRUMLIN-BASED BBI Solutions has announced plans to rapidly develop and rollout millions of coronavirus tests. As part of the government’s National Testing Plan, the expertise and resources of the UK’s world-leading life sciences industries are being pooled to build a large British diagnostics industry as quickly as possible. The “UK Rapid Test Consortium, UK-RTC” comprises Oxford University, BBI Solutions, Abingdon Health, CIGA Healthcare, and has been launched to design and develop a new antibody test to determine whether people have developed immunity after contracting the virus. All existing antibody tests that have gone through the validation process have not proven accurate enough, therefore the…

Work to transform a Swansea Bay film studios and former factory into a hospital will go 24/7 from the Easter holiday period. Swansea Council is working with contractors Kier and TRJ to convert the Bay Studios Elba building into a field hospital on behalf of the Swansea Bay University Health Board. It will have more than 1,000 extra beds for the NHS and will help manage the expected upsurge in Coronavirus cases. Since the daily work started more than a week ago it has been carried out 7am-7pm; that is now changing to a 24-hour operation. Council leader Rob Stewart…

Mrs Buckét, the award-winning commercial cleaning operation based in Wales and the South West, has today announced the launch of a new decontamination service, the COVID-19 Response Team, specifically designed to support businesses with their hygiene requirements in the wake of the coronavirus.   The new service has been successfully rolled out over the last few weeks to several local GP surgeries, mail room depots and manufacturing sites to help halt the spread of the virus. The service is bespoke and tailored to meet each business’s individual needs and is designed for businesses who have either had a confirmed or suspected case of the coronavirus.    A team of specialists operates over several hours (often through the night),…

A disease litigation specialist is “thrilled” to have been appointed to leading South Wales firm Watkins and Gunn to help “expand and strengthen” the firm’s offering. Lyndsey Gordon-Webb has joined the award-winning firm as an associate solicitor and will also head up the growing Disease Litigation team from this month. As part of her new role, the 35-year-old will handle all aspects of industrial disease, which have been created as a result of work-related negligence. The Bridgend-based solicitor is also aiming to expand the firm’s specialist Disease Litigation department, and enhance its offering throughout Wales. On her appointment, Mrs Gordon-Webb…

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after a corn snake was found in Bryncae, by a dog walker. The orange snake, which is healthy and in a good condition, was found in the early hours on Saturday (4 March) morning in Bryncae which is near Pontyclun. RSPCA animal collection officer Ellie West said: “The dog walker was able to confine the snake safely before I was able to collect this very big corn snake. “The snake is in a great condition so it is most likely to be an escapee and someone is missing it.” The corn snake is now…

Adrian Aurelius, Chair of the NatWest Cymru Board, tells us about five common scams you should be aware of. “We know scammers are using this current period of uncertainty as an opportunity to try and take advantage of the general public and their worries. We’ve seen an increase in criminals exploiting the coronavirus and using this as part of their scam tactics. Stay alert to any suspicious behaviour and remember to always: “Be vigilant against unsolicited phone calls, texts or emails about coronavirus from anyone. The bank will never ask you for your full PIN or password, card reader codes, or ask…

Livestock rangers at Dinefwr in Carmarthenshire are providing a glimpse into calving season this spring by sharing updates from the cattle shed on the National Trust’s digital channels. New-born twin calves are already lifting spirits online as video footage of the latest additions to the White Park cattle herd was posted on social media this week by the conservation charity. The move comes as the Trust vows to provide rich content from its places to connect people virtually with nature, beauty and history, following the closure of its houses, shops, cafes, parks, gardens and car parks to further restrict the…

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…