Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, will receive £1.4million investment to improve services for people needing emergency medical and other unscheduled care. Doctors and clinical staff, working alongside community representatives, including Hywel Dda Community Health Council, Llanelli Rural Council and lobby groups such as the Committee for Improving Hospital Services CIHS/SOSPPAN, were delighted to hear the news at a recent meeting. Hywel Dda University Health Board will make the investment from its discretionary capital budget whilst at the same time putting together a business case to the Welsh Government, which if successful, would effectively reimburse the money. The Front of House project focus’ on six different areas of care – substance misuse, frailty, mental health, acute medicine, minor illnesses and minor injuries. The aim is to ensure that people come into the hospital and see the best person to provide them with definitive treatment as quickly as possible. Medical lead Dr Si...

Penny Edwards has been elected the new Carmarthenshire County Councillor for the Hengoed ward in Llanelli. A by-election was held yesterday following the death of former councillor George Edwards. The turnout was 54% Welsh Labour candidate Mrs Edwards took the county seat for Hengoed with a narrow victory in the by-election. As the count reached an end, the number of votes between Mrs Edwards and Plaid Cymru candidate Martin Davies were so tight, a second check was conducted before results were announced. Mrs Edwards received 335 votes, pipping Mr Davies's total of 313 votes. Ukip candidate Bramwell Gordon Richards finished in third place, receiving 152 votes. Wynford Samuel of People First received 80 votes, Independent Edward Skinner received 76 votes, and Conservative Stephen Davies received 54 votes. On her election to the county council seat, Mrs Edwards said: "All I can say is thank you, all of you, you have been wonderful - I just can't say thank you enough. "I...

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s planning for improvements at Prince Philip Hospital is moving forward. A team of doctors, GPs and nurses have been looking at ways to improve emergency care delivered at the Llanelli hospital and enhance the services most needed by local residents during the last year. Work has focused on six different priority areas: alcohol and substance misuse; frailty; mental health; acute medicine (e.g. strokes, diabetes, infections and asthma attacks); minor injuries; and minor illnesses. Proposed service improvements include a new alcohol liaison nurse to address alcohol and substance misuse issues and a specialist psychiatric team. Improvements are also planned for the rapid access available for elderly or frail patients to an enhanced and expanded frailty service. This will help to identify underlying issues relating to their admission. The team has worked closely with other local organisations such as the police and social care and has kept in close communi...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club enjoyed a civic reception with the chairman of Llanelli Rural Council Councillor Tegwen Devichand at the authority's offices in Vauxhall, Llanelli. Rotary Club president Alan Owen was presented with a plate to commemorate the Llanelli Eisteddfod of 2000. Councillor Devichand praised the Rotary members for their charitable and voluntary work. Mr Owen thanked Councillor Devichand for the rural authority's support for many Rotary causes. Weblinks - http://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/ http://llanellirotary.com/

Johnny James had worked in a telephone manufacturer’s warehouse for several years before becoming unemployed for 24 months. In the hope of finding full-time work, Johnny was referred to Llanelli Rural Council) LRC Training by the Job Centre. Following consultation with his Field Officer at LRC Training and exploring all the options open to him, Johnny decided to go down the ‘Care’ route. This, he said, was a career path that had “always been of interest” to him. Johnny gained valuable first-hand experience while on placement at a local care home, named Hafan-Y-Coed. Through the Government funded programme, Johnny received training covering all key areas required to work in the care sector, including Manual Handling, Health & Safety, First Aid and Food and Hygiene. Within a one month time period, Johnny passed all the aspects of the programme and gained the required knowledge and skills to become a qualified Carer. Johnny not only impressed the staff at LRC Training but also the ma...

Work has started on a brand new community sports centre in Felinfoel. A £937,670 project is underway to redevelop the village recreation ground. A sports hub with changing facilities for cricket, rugby and football teams is being developed at the site. The building will also house training rooms and space for health and fitness activities, along with conferencing and function facilities. The centre will act as a venue for learning and development, with health and education benefits for the community. The ambitious project is a partnership between Felinfoel Communities First and Llanelli Rural Council, which is investing £511,670. Other funding includes £300,000 from the Communities Facilities and Activities Programme, £50,000 from Cwm Environmental, £25,000 from the County Collaboration Fund, £15,000 from the Community Fund and support from Carmarthenshire County Council. The community is also actively fundraising for the project. Contractors TAD have started work and the centre is exp...

Work on a brand new community sports centre is about to get underway in Felinfoel. A £937,670 project is afoot to redevelop the village recreation ground. A sports hub with changing facilities for cricket, rugby and football teams is being developed at the site. The building will also house training rooms and space for health and fitness activities, along with conferencing and function facilities. The centre will act as a venue for learning and development, with health and education benefits for the community. The ambitious project is a partnership between Felinfoel Communities First and Llanelli Rural Council, which is investing £511,670. Other funding includes £300,000 from the Communities Facilities and Activities Programme, £50,000 from Cwm Environmental, £25,000 from the County Collaboration Fund, £15,000 from the Community Fund and support from Carmarthenshire County Council. The community is also actively fundraising for the project. Work is due to start in August and the centre...

The transformed Trallwm Hall has been officially opened. The stunning building, which is open for use by the whole community, has added a new vibrancy to the Llwynhendy area of Llanelli. Members of Trallwm Forum and local volunteers have worked tirelessly to get the £480,000 project off the ground, and on Tuesday, March 2, the hall was declared open and officially named ‘Poets Corner’. Funding to make the scheme a reality has been a partnership approach. Carmarthenshire County Council has contributed £25,000 from its County Collaboration Fund, and a further £126,000 from its capital building programme and section 106 agreements. The Welsh Assembly contributing £299,519.24 from its Community Facilities and Activities Programme, and Cwm Environmental contributed a further £45,000. The hall was opened by the Chair of Llanelli Rural Council, Cllr Carol Rees. The rural council has agreed to take over the maintenance of the building following the redevelopment. Trallwm Football Club is alrea...

Vital services for families will be sustained thanks to a £2,000 grant from Llanelli Rural Council to the Carmarthenshire Youth and Children's Association. A letter to the council from CYCA's Tracy Pike states: "This year has been a very difficult one as we have needed to find funding for capital works including a dangerous wall and leaking roof."