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

A fighting-fit health board executive is defying the odds after undergoing cutting-edge new cancer treatment which has shrunk her tumour by half. In January, Kathryn Davies, 47, was diagnosed with Exon-19 deletion, a rare non-inherited genetic mutation which caused primary cancer to grow in her lungs and secondary cancer to spread to her brain. But after just two months of targeted ‘precision medicine’ treatment - which involves her taking chemotherapy tablets every day - Kathryn is now completely free of secondary cancer, while the tumour in her lung has shrunk by 50%. And Kathryn, who is Executive Director of Commissioning, Therapies and Health Science at Hywel Dda University Health Board, believes that her dedication to daily exercise and healthy eating has put her in the best possible shape to tackle the disease. She said: “I’m progressing really well; my side effects are minimal to say the least, and I continue to be symptom-free. “I feel strong, both physically and psychologica...

Care and treatment for cancer patients continues to be provided at Withybush Hospital and a Consultant Oncologist based at the South West Wales Cancer Centre in Swansea has joined the team temporarily to support the service. Dr Pudney, has been released by ABMU Health Board, to work at the Haverfordwest hospital three days a week, supporting nursing staff on the chemotherapy day unit and treating patients with breast cancer from Pembrokeshire. The support is a result of a partnership approach taken by Hywel Dda University and ABMU health boards to work closely together on the continuing development of oncology services in the region. Dr Pudney will support the work of the Oncology Project Board in developing a Hywel Dda University Health Board wide model that strengthens the excellent haematology, oncology and palliative care services already provided in Withybush Hospital. She said “I’m looking forward to supporting the team at Withybush Hospital. I’ve worked as a consult...

Hywel Dda University Health Board has no intention to remove cancer services from Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. A change has been made to the way in-patient services are delivered at Withybush Hospital due to medical staffing problems. As is usual practice in district general hospitals, patients will be admitted to hospital through the Acute Clinical Decision Unit or the Emergency and Urgent Care Centre so there is no delay to their treatment. Patients with cancer related problems will still usually be placed on ward 10, although some will be placed on other wards depending on the clinical problem. For example they may be placed on a surgical ward if they have problems best looked after by a surgeon. Patients will be looked after by experienced general physicians and their teams with specialist oncology input from within the university health board or from the specialist cancer centre at ABMU Health Board. This is the usual practice in district general hospital...

Funnyman Phil Evans and his friends are getting together this weekend for a special show to raise money for a Porthcawl woman who needs a life-extending operation in Germany. The show, at the Hi Tide Inn, Porthcawl, on Saturday, May 24, is being organised as a massive ‘Cwtsh’ (Welsh hug) for Beth Margetson. Beth is a victim of the so-called ‘postcode lottery system’ that currently exists in the UK. The type of treatment Beth needs to treat her cancer is currently unavailable in Wales, but is available in England. Her latest plan to attack the cancer involves her travelling to Germany in June for a life-extending operation. “Beth is a wonderfully warm and giving person who has contributed a huge amount to her community over the years,” said comedian Phil, who is known throughout Wales as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. “Beth worked tirelessly as a community midwife serving Porthcawl, Bridgend and the surrounding communities. Along the way, we reckon she has delivered 2000...

A new post is hoping to raise awareness of cancer amongst people with learning disabilities. Macmillan Cancer Support have funded Tracey Lloyd, a Learning Disability Nurse, who is based at Ty Bryngwyn, Prince Phillip Hospital, Llanelli, to take a closer look at strengths and needs of services for all concerned with learning disabilities and cancer. This new initiative hopes to improve the outcome for people with learning disabilities, their families and supporters, and work with staff within primary and secondary care services to recognise the issues they face. The project stems across Wales and is keen to educate and empower people, and help collaborative working build a healthier future. Tracey said: “People with learning disabilities are a growing population both in number and in age. Many reports show they have higher levels of ill health and often have multiple chronic and complex health conditions. “Although cancer is of lower incidence than the general population there are iss...

A group of Carway youngsters have got together to organise a series of gigs to commemorate their friend Steffan Rees who tragically died of cancer last year aged just 17. The Carway Youth Committee aim to host three concerts in Carway Hall and hope to use the proceeds from these events toward funding a memorial skate park in the area as Steffan was a very keen skater. One of the organisers, Kelisha Jones, said: “After Steffan passed away, we all thought we needed to do something in his memory as he was a big part of our lives, and it affected a lot of people. He was a good friend to everybody he knew and he is sadly missed. We are now organising these concerts in order to raise money for the memorial skate park.” Local supporters include Councillor Tyssul Evans and Menter Bro Dinefwr’s Owain Glenister. Cryfhau Cymunedau, part of RDP Sir Gâr’s Innovative Hubs project, has supported and encouraged the group with the planning of the events. Cryfhau Cymunedau is funded through the...

Healthy Wednesday advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  This Healthy Wednesday we’re encouraging people to talk about cancer. Talking about cancer can be hard. Charities such as Macmillan have a team of experts who can answer any questions you have, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. You can contact Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00. You may be surprised to find out you have local support groups in your area – ask your GP or doctor on your next visit if they can recommend a local group to you. Throughout March, West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group will have information stands at Hywel Dda Health Board’s main hospitals. They are a patient-led group of volunteers working in West and South West Wales, offering support to prostate cancer patients and to their families and friends. Chair of the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group Mr Phil Burr said: “If you want an opportunity to talk to other men who have already been through the experience of investiga...

Police welcome guilty verdict in Gill court case | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Officers who investigated claims of fraud and sexual assaults committed by a husband and wife against women concerned they had cancer have today welcomed the guilty verdicts returned by a jury. Reginald Gill was found guilty of three sexual assaults, six assaults by penetration and two counts of fraud. His wife Leila Gill was found guilty of one count of sexual assault and one of fraud.

The Macmillan cancer charity and Relate Cymru are joining forces to offer a new counselling service in the Hywel Dda and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board areas. Macmillan have approached Relate – the UK’s leading couple counselling service - to provide free relationship counselling to people affected by cancer. Macmillan are funding the equivalent of a full time post across South West Wales. The position is being divided up between three Relate counsellors who, as Macmillan Professionals, will be able to cover the geographical spread of the service area. The project will be officially launched at the Relate offices in Carmarthen at 3 St Peter’s Street, Carmarthen, on Tuesday, October 11, between 4.30 and 6pm. Claire Lewis, one of the new Macmillan Relate Specialist Counsellors for South West Wales, said a great deal of care and thought had been put into the launch of the service. “There is a need for free relationship counselling for people affected by cancer and this service will h...