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

A new special care baby and parent support group has met for the first time at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. Ten families, a mixture of mums, dads and grandparents met with their babies, born between 32 weeks and full tern for the first session on ‘tummy time’ set up by Jennifer Smith, Trainee Assistant Practitioner at Glangwili Hospital Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and led by Angharad Eynon, Clinical Lead Paediatric Physiotherapist for Neonates and Acute. Jennifer said: “It was wonderful that so many could attend this first group meeting. Everyone who attended is a member of a closed Facebook group that has been set up to provide support and guidance during admission and following discharge from Glangwili Hospital’s SCBU. “We hope that it will form friendships between the parents where they can share stories, tips etc. We chose a closed Facebook group as it is difficult to get regular face to face meetings. “In the coming year I hope to arrange group meetings by way of baby ma...

Hywel Dda University Health Board is re-issuing advice to Pembrokeshire parents on how they can care, or access healthcare services, for unwell children in the lead up to the Christmas Bank Holidays. The vast majority of unwell children are cared for at home by their families when they are unwell, and general advice on how to manage common childhood illness can be found on the NHS Direct website www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk or by calling 0845 46 47. In the majority of cases, GPs and hospital Emergency Departments also care for children without needing to admit them into hospital. GP out-of-hours services are available in Pembrokeshire overnight, on weekends and Bank Holidays for urgent care and are accessed by calling your usual GP telephone number. Withybush Hospital’s Emergency and Urgent Care Unit also provides 24 hour urgent care for children with minor injuries. Clinical lead for Child and Adolecent Health Dr Simon Fountain-Polley explained: “Families generally look after their ...

Opening hours at Withybush Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit will be changed to 10am-6pm from Monday December 5. The move comes following a decision, taken in the interests of patient safety due to a shortage of consultant paediatricians, by Hywel Dda University Health Board last week. Referrals to PACU can continue to be made up until 6pm, after which necessary discharges or transfers to Glangwili Hospital when an overnight stay in hospital is required will be made. Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations Joe Teape explained: “We are carefully planning this temporary change and will be spending a lot of time during the coming days finalising the activation plan and making sure that all our staff, GPs, including out-of-hours, and partners such as the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust and NHS Direct are aware and are able to appropriately advise and assist children and their families.” A task and finish group with clinicians and managers is also being set up to closely monitor the ...

Hywel Dda University Health Board has agreed on the grounds of safety issues, to temporarily reduce the opening hours of the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) at Withybush Hospital, but has not agreed to any longer term changes to services for children. At a meeting of full health board on Thursday November 24, the Board agreed the recommendation to temporarily reduce the opening hours from 10am-10pm by four hours a day to 10am-6pm in light of the reduced availability of consultant paediatricians. However, they did not agree to the recommendation to permanently merge the consultant overnight rota with Carmarthenshire. They did accept this was necessary temporarily due to reduced availability of consultant level staff. This will mean if there is a paediatric emergency out-of-hours at Withybush Hospital, the on-call paediatric consultants in Glangwili Hospital will offer remote advice to emergency and anaesthetic staff at Withybush. Whilst board members agreed the commitment to retu...

Members of Hywel Dda University Health Board will discuss temporary changes to the opening hours of the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) at Withybush Hospital, whilst there are fewer consultant paediatricians available, at a full health board meeting on Thursday November 24. The issue has emerged due to a combination of long standing difficulties in recruiting paediatric consultants across the UK and an exacerbation locally due to the coinciding retirement of one Pembrokeshire paediatric consultant, along with maternity leave of another. Doctors, nurses, hospital managers and the Executive Team have been in discussion about how to best serve children and families in Pembrokeshire by doing all that is possible to maintain the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) at Withybush Hospital whilst there are fewer consultant paediatricians available. To do nothing is a risk. The health board’s prolonged attempts at substantive and locum recruitment have been unsuccessful and agency cons...

Hywel Dda University Health Board is currently experiencing some technical issues with the telephone system at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, which includes the telephone number for GP Out of Hours across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Sonia Hay, Acting County Director & Commissioner for Pembrokeshire said: “We are sorry if you are having problems contacting the hospital or out-of-hours service. We are continuing to have some technical issues with the phone system and engineers are working hard to resolve the issue as soon as possible. “In the meantime, our advice is that if you cannot get through within 30 minutes, and you are unwell contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or if you consider your condition to be a medical emergency, dial 999.” “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and we will continue to provide updates until the situation is resolved. Thank you for your patience and understanding.” Please remember to Choose Well www.hywelddahb.wales.nh...

Hywel Dda University Health Board is currently experiencing some technical issues with the telephone system at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. Sonia Hay, Acting County Director and Commissioner for Pembrokeshire said: “We are sorry if you are having problems in getting through to Withybush Hospital by phone. We are continuing to have some technical issues with the phone system and engineers are working hard to resolve the issue as soon as possible. In the meantime, we are advising people who are having trouble getting through to try phoning 30 minutes later, until the problem is rectified.” “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and we will continue to provide updates until the situation is resolved. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Pembrokeshire patient Wendy Lort has praised staff from Ward 4 at Withybush Hospital for the great care she received when she was attended for an emergency procedure at the hospital earlier this year. In a letter to the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Chief Executive, Steve Moore, Mrs Lort commented on the exemplary, efficient and compassionate care she received during her inpatient stay on the ward earlier this year. Mrs Lort, who didn’t wish to be photographed, said “I experienced what I feel was the best nursing care possible….from the cheerful tea ladies, to the health care assistants, nurses and consultants, nothing was too much trouble – ever." Steve Moore (pictured here with Ward 4 staff) said: “It was heartwarming to read Mrs Lort’s letter and to know that her experience was so positive in all aspects of her care during her stay on the ward. “I am so very proud of our staff – they do a fantastic job – and I’m really grateful to Mrs Lort’s for taking the time to write...

Hywel Dda University Health Board is restating its commitment to maintain the current opening hours of the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) at Withybush Hospital from 10am-10pm, as they are now - although it is facing renewed and significant workforce challenges at consultant level. There are long standing difficulties in recruiting paediatric consultants across the UK, and there are vacancies in all Hywel Dda hospitals, with continued efforts to recruit into them. There is a particular problem in Pembrokeshire during the next few months as a retirement, maternity leave and annual leave requirement coincide. PACU at Withybush Hosital, in Haverfordwest, is currently open 10am – 10pm and remains open as usual this week. The University Health Board is reassuring local families that they can continue to access services as they do now and need make no changes to how they access care. The health board has appointed a temporary locum consultant, and continues to try to attract more...

Staff and patients have been celebrating real life superheroes in children’s wards and units at Bronglais, Glangwili and Withybush Hospitals. A huge range of activities have taken place during National Play in Hospital Week, from colouring competitions, poster displays, parties and shows to visits from other real life heroes, such as the fire service and police. It was all organised by Hywel Dda University Health Board staff, children and families. Photos from Bronglais, Glangwili and Withybush Hospitals.

In a ceremony held at Pembrokeshire College, Wards 11 and 12 won for their work promoting the Welsh language on their wards. This has included implementing the More Than Just Words framework, which aims to improve services for those who need or choose to receive their care in Welsh, through the use of magnets to identify Welsh speaking patients. Using these magnets enables staff to provide the’ active offer’ reminding all staff that they have a responsibility to recognise and accept responsibility to respond to language need as an integral element of care. Wards 11 and 12 staff also held a successful St David’s Day event to welcome new overseas doctors to the area and to introduce them to the Welsh culture. Together with the UHB’s Welsh language services team, they provided a taster session for all staff to learn some Welsh in order to speak to patients. Enfys Williams, Welsh Language Services Manager said: “We’re very proud as a Health Board to have had an opportunity to sponso...

A new superhero has landed in West Wales to help children and families who may be anxious about a forthcoming visit to hospital. Captain Get Well, or Captain G for short, features in a friendly video aimed at children attending Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, and Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. The video has been launched by Hywel Dda University Health Board at the end of national Play in Hospital Week, following a host of activities promoting the benefit of play in the NHS. Directorate Nurse for Children’s Services, Isobel Hall explained: “The video provides children and their families with useful information about what to expect from a hospital stay in a fun, energetic way that we hope will captivate our audience. “It features our inpatient services as well as paediatric ambulatory care units in each hospital and also the high dependency unit and theatre. “Our play workers and nurses have ensured the video includes information that we get frequen...

Local fundraisers and key stakeholders came together to hear the latest progress on plans for a new Specialist Palliative Care, Haematology and Oncology Ward (formerly known as Ward 10) at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. Hywel Dda University Health Board, in partnership with its stakeholders, is preparing the detailed plans for the multi-million pounds development. The new facilities will strengthen services and provide a better environment for patients locally, through modern, purpose-built areas which are dementia friendly, supporting those with bariatric requirements and with improved facilities for relatives. It is hoped the development will also encourage appointment to key posts within the hospital. Dr Iain Robertson-Steel, Hospital Director at Withybush said: “We are making good progress in bringing together all the necessary plans and documentation for the development and have recently shared detailed layout plans with staff, stakeholders and the public. We will shortly b...

Cancer services in Pembrokeshire continue to benefit from the amazing fundraising efforts of Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal, which has recently passed the £25,000 mark. Bernardine Rees, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board said: "I want to say a huge thank you to Elly and her family for their fantastic fundraising efforts. “Elly's energy and enthusiasm is incredible. We very much appreciate Team Elly’s support, which continues to help us in improving cancer services locally, particularly in relation to Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital.” As well as building a new Chemotherapy Day Unit in Withybush Hospital, Hywel Dda University Health Board’s plans for a significantly refurbished Palliative Care, Haematology and Oncology Unit (currently known as Ward 10) continue to move forward as part of a proposed multi-million pound development. The development of the proposed new unit, which is subject to engagement work and approval of a business case by Welsh Government, will provide a mo...

A Pembrokeshire mother-of-three has shared her experience of giving birth in Withybush Hospital in the hope that her story will reassure mums-to-be that they are in safe hands in the Haverfordwest hospital. 27 year old Francesca Davies of Johnston, Pembrokeshire, gave birth to her five-week-old daughter, McKenzie, at the Midwife-Led Unit in Withybush with her husband, Leigh, and sister, Danielle, at her side. Francesca has told how she felt at ease while giving birth at the unit, explaining: “It was about 1:30am when I felt my contractions getting very strong and painful, so I called to speak to my midwife, Dawn. She was very calm and talked me through the whole thing, giving me the choice to either wait or come to the hospital straight away. “I decided to wait but after around an hour and I couldn’t wait any more and headed straight in. Dawn had already filled the birthing pool for me. It was so relaxing. Well... between contractions anyway! “McKenzie was born just after 5am weighin...

Press officers at Hywel Dda University Health Board have issued the following release - Please be aware that temporary visiting restrictions are in place at Withybush Hospital (Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire) following an outbreak of Flu B. Specialists in infection prevention have advised that the affected area, Ward 10, is closed to all routine visitors at this time to help prevent the spread of infection. Any visiting will be at the discretion of the Ward Sister. We will monitor the situation daily and provide updates. For further advice on preventing the spread of infection please visit: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/75416

The future of cancer services in Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, is bright as plans to build a new Chemotherapy Day Unit and extensively refurbish Ward 10 take another step forward. While work to draw up a detailed tender specification for the new Chemotherapy Day Unit continues, a second working group has also been set up to take forward the redesign of the existing palliative care, oncology and haematology area (Ward 10). This will provide a modern, purpose-built inpatient facility for patients admitted to Withybush Hospital. The group is chaired by the Clinical Lead for Withybush Hospital, Dr Iain Robertson Steel, and reports directly into the Withybush Implementation Group. The new group is currently considering the facilities that need to be provided in the Ward 10 area including inpatient beds, isolation facilities, en-suite facilities and additional patient facilities such as a day room and space for relatives. All facilities will be dementia friendly, wi...

Temporary Visitor Restrictions at Withybush and Bronglais Hospitals (Updated 11.03.16) Please be aware that temporary visiting restrictions are in place at two of our hospitals following separate outbreaks of Norovirus and Flu A. Specialists in infection prevention are asking people not to visit patients on Ward 8 at Withybush General Hospital, following an outbreak of Flu A. At Bronglais Hospital, access for visitors is also temporarily restricted on Ystwyth Ward due to Norovirus. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. For further advice on preventing the spread of infection please visit: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/75416 See earlier blog post re Bronglais Hospital.

WGH Staff from Withybush hospital’s PACU, from left, Mr Narayan, Consultant Paediatrician, Dawn Thomas, Health Play Specialist and Jenny Phillips, Play Assistant, with characters donated by Fun Times Bouncy Castles. Play in the treatment of children has been celebrated across Hywel Dda University Health Board to mark National Play in Hospital Week 2015. Play is at the very centre of a healthy child’s life. From the earliest age, playing helps children to learn, to relate to other people and to have fun. When children or teenagers are admitted to hospital, they are at their most vulnerable. They are not only ill or suffering from an injury but are also separated from their friends and familiar surroundings. Play can really make a difference. Hywel Dda UHB has Play Specialists on Angharad ward at Bronglais Hospital, Cilgerran ward at Glangwili Hospital and the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) at Withybush Hospital. Sandra Jones, Play Service Manager for the Hywel Dda UHB said: ...

Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) reconfirmed its commitment to provide improved facilities for cancer patients at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, at its latest Board meeting. The new Director of Operations/Deputy Chief Executive Joe Teape presented a paper outlining the background to the project and recently agreed governance structures to ensure the work is driven forward at pace. As senior responsible officer for the development, Mr Teape confirmed that clinician-led discussions are taking place on the future model for Withybush Hospital to maintain 24/7 acute medicine on site. Mr Teape noted the importance of considering plans for the Chemotherapy Day Unit (CDU) and Ward 10 as part of these wider discussions to ensure the most appropriate service model for patients. The University Health Board has committed to share the recommendations of its clinician-led discussions, including the most appropriate location for CDU and Ward 10 services, with stakeholders and charity partn...