Latest news with #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
New play materials for Glangwili Hospital's Cilgerran Ward
More than £1,000 worth of play materials have been funded for the Cilgerran Ward at Glangwili Hospital, thanks to donations to Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board. The funding has provided items including Play-Doh, paint, foil art, animal masks, and crayons. Karen Thomas, head of therapeutic play, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations from our local communities to Hywel Dda Health Charities. "Once again, they have provided Cilgerran Ward with invaluable assets. "The new play resources will help the therapeutic play team to work more effectively and focus their time on the children and young people (CYPs) in our care. "Being able to play while in hospital means that the CYPs can continue an aspect of their normal life. "Play is familiar and reassuring, it's how CYPs make sense of the world around them, it helps them to learn and develop and feel less anxious about their hospital visit." Nicola Llewelyn, head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: "The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive." For more information about the charity and ways to support NHS patients and staff, visit the charity's website.
South Wales Guardian
09-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
A&B Plant & Tool Hire remembering champion Alun Thomas
Llanwrda-based A&B Plant & Tool Hire will host a charity raffle at the Royal Welsh Show in tribute to Alun Rees Thomas, known as 'Alun A&B,' who died in September 2024 after a battle with cancer. The raffle will raise funds for the Hywel Dda University Health Board Palliative Care service, which supported Mr Thomas during his final months. Beryl Thomas, Mr Thomas' wife, said: "This year, our family and the A&B team wanted to honour Alun's legacy by raising funds for the Hywel Dda Palliative Care team, whose compassionate care supported Alun and us during his final months. "We're aiming to raise £5,000 in Alun's memory. "He was passionate about giving back, and we're proud to continue that tradition in his name." The Hywel Dda Palliative Care Raffle 2025 will be drawn at the A&B Plant & Tool Hire stand at the Royal Welsh Show on Thursday, July 24. Visitors to the stand can enter the raffle, take part in games, and learn more about the company's services and community work. Raffle prizes include a Husqvarna Aspire Garden Bundle (automower, strimmer, and hedge cutter), a Kranzle 2160 TST pressure washer, and a Husqvarna protective clothing bundle. All funds raised will go to Hywel Dda Health Charities to support palliative care services across the region. Katie Hancock, fundraising officer at Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: "We want to say a huge thank you to A&B Plant & Tool Hire for so kindly supporting the palliative care team in Alun's memory." Raffle tickets can be purchased by calling 01558 650536 or by visiting the company's stand (439D) at the Royal Welsh Show, which runs from Monday, July 21 to Thursday, July 24.
Powys County Times
16-06-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Calls made for council to back Bronglais Hospital services
Campaigners opposing the loss of services at mid Wales' biggest hospital have received the backing of councillors. Late last month, Hywel Dda University Health Board launched a public consultation, running to August 31, into potential changes in service provision across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire after classifying nine key services as 'critical', stating that urgent reorganisation is necessary. The services identified are: critical care, dermatology, emergency general surgery, endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, radiology, stroke, and urology. There are no changes to how people access emergency care (A&E) or minor injury care. It has raised concerns that some services at Bronglais could be downgraded, with including stroke services being downgraded to a 'treat and transfer' model. A Notice of Motion by Cllr Alun Williams, heard at the June 12 meeting of Ceredigion County Council, said: 'Ysbyty Cyffredinol Bronglais may be on the northern periphery of the Hywel Dda Health Board area, but it is in a central position on the map of Wales and the only general hospital between Carmarthen and Bangor. "It provides vital healthcare services for patients in Ceredigion, Powys and Meirionydd. 'Accessibility and local provision are fundamental to good healthcare and we will take a critical view of any proposals likely to lead to a loss of local services. We note that concerns have recently been raised about the potential reduction of services at the hospital by Hywel Dda University Health Board – this time concerning stroke services. 'To this end we support in principle the work of the Protect Bronglais Services local campaign group in its efforts to prevent any reduction of services at the hospital. 'Given that public transport links are already inadequate in this region, moving services away from Aberystwyth will make access to adequate hospital treatment even more difficult.' The call by Cllr Williams asks that: 'Hywel Dda University Health Board acknowledges that the residents of Ceredigion and central Wales deserve as full and accessible a health service as all other residents within the Board's remit.' 'Hywel Dda University Health Board, and the Welsh Government, clarify their positions on the future of vital services at Bronglais in general and equity of access to healthcare for the population of central Wales, stroke services in particular.' Speaking at the June 12 meeting, Cllr Williams, who had presented the notice on behalf of Cllr Gareth Davies, said concerns about the potential loss of services had led to the Protect Bronglais Services group being set up. A public meeting attracted more than 200 people, with a further – larger – meeting due to take place in the great hall at Aberystwyth University's campus. A petition to the Senedd has attracted more than 2,400 signatures since its recent launch. 'Bronglais is the only hospital between Carmarthen and Bangor and a broad swathe of land in central Wales," he added. "Bronglais is absolutely pivotal to the Welsh healthcare system.' Cllr Eryl Evans, who seconded the motion, said: 'The stroke department has been recognised as one that gives very high standards of care, the service as it is perfect; it's completely unreasonable and a gross extra strain on the patients.' Cllr Catrin MS Davies said a reduction in stroke services would be 'forcing residents to travel to Llanelli or Haverfordwest.' Cllr Williams' motion was unanimously backed by councillors. At the May meeting of the health board, Medical Director Mr Mark Henwood said: 'No decisions have been made on the options presented, and there are currently no preferred solutions. "The changes we are looking to make are to ensure we have safe, high-quality services and affordable healthcare in the future, and have at their heart the best interests of the people of west Wales and their patient experience.' The proposals will be further discussed at a future health board meeting, expect to be November of this year.
Western Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire artist transforms garden at hospital
Lloyd the Graffiti Artist created the artwork for St Caradog Ward at Withybush Hospital, funded by donations to Hywel Dda Health Charities. The Pembrokeshire artist, who has been painting since 1998, is renowned for his work capturing the county's history and natural beauty. He creates unique paintings using spray paints and has collaborated with schools and youth organisations across Pembrokeshire. Aileen Jakeman, occupational therapy technician, said: "We are very grateful that charitable funds have enabled us to fund Lloyd to create the fantastic artwork. "The murals have completely transformed our garden. "Colour can have such a powerful impact on our moods, feelings and behaviours, social studies have shown that colours created in the right environment can have a positive impact on health and mental well-being. "The artwork can now benefit our service in many ways: distraction when a patient is overwhelmed by anxiety, a talking point when dealing with emotions and depression, and a peaceful environment for group work and socialising." Nicola Llewelyn, head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said that the support of the community helps the charity to provide services above and beyond the usual NHS provision across west Wales.
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'Funny and kind-hearted' teenage girl died in hospital after trying to take her own life
'Funny and kind-hearted' teenage girl died in hospital after trying to take her own life Sky Lewis had a history of mental health problems and self-harming, an inquest has heard Sky Lewis, who died aged 16 (Image: Michaela Fry ) A 'funny and kind-hearted' teenage girl who was moved from her family home to a care home took her own life, an inquest has heard. Sky Louise Lewis, who was born in Wolverhampton, moved to Newport and later Cardiff as a young girl with her mother. She attended Eastern High School in Cardiff and was studying for her GCSEs in 2019. During that period she moved to live in a care home in the Haverfordwest area of Pembrokeshire, having struggled with her mental health. A full inquest into her death, which got underway at County Hall in Haverfordwest on Tuesday, June 3, heard that Sky had a history of self-harming. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . The senior coroner for Pembrokeshire, Gareth Lewis, was told that on one occasion Sky drank alcohol before going to school in Cardiff, with her mother only realising when the school contacted her to say her daughter had arrived drunk. Sky Lewis has left a 'space that cannot be filled', according to her mother (Image: Michaela Fry ) Article continues below On July 28, 2019, Sky tried to take her own life in the care home she had moved to. She was found and taken to hospital but her mother said medics told her on July 30 that her daughter was 'brain dead'. Sky passed away in hospital a day later, on July 31, 2019, aged 16. The inquest, which is expected to last up to three weeks, will hear evidence from different people representing different organisations including Hywel Dda University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff Council, and Sky's family. Why we cover inquests – and why it's so important that we do As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others' lives. The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice. It's a journalist's duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person's death. But, most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening. Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system is not held to account. Inquests can often prompt a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide. Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest. Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one. Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected. However, as has been seen by many powerful media campaigns, the input of a person's family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others. Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost. On Tuesday, social worker Christopher Evans told the hearing that Sky was a 'high-risk' individual who had been living in a 'high-anxiety household' and a 'difficult home environment' before she moved to the care home. The inquest heard that Sky took medication for depression and to help her sleep, and told her mother that at one point she 'didn't want to be here anymore' and that she would keep trying to kill herself until she was successful. In a statement, Sky's mother Michaela Fry said her daughter was 'funny and kind-hearted'. She said: 'She loved doing silly things to make people laugh. She had a big, infectious laugh, the kind that filled the room and made everybody feel better. 'Life without Sky seems empty and full of 'I wonders'. I love Sky so much and miss her tremendously. There is a space here now that cannot be filled. I will always belong to her.' The inquest continues. Following Sky's death, it was revealed that her organs were donated to help others. You can read more about that here.
