Drop-in event for Tenby Surgery patients

From 1st August 2018, Tenby Surgery will become directly managed by Hywel Dda University Health Board, and work is underway with the staff and teams in the practice to ensure continuity for patients.

The Health Board would like to reassure patients that the practice will remain open, and patients will be able to access services as normal.

A public drop-in session is being held in Tenby to gather the views of local residents who may have concerns about GP services, and members of staff from the practice, the Health Board and the Community Health Council will be available to speak with attendees.

The event will be held on Monday 2nd July 2018 in the Day Room at Tenby Hospital and residents are invited to drop in at any time between 3pm to 7pm.

Patients are reminded that services are also available at both the neighbouring nurse-led Walk-In Centre, and through local community pharmacies who offer a range of expert services.

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care at Hywel Dda, said: “As a Health Board we are committed to listening to and engaging with local populations around our proposals to strengthen our Primary Care services in the Tenby area and we would therefore like to invite residents to come along and get involved in the conversation.

“The Health Board is looking at opportunities to develop and strengthen services for patients in Tenby and we are working with the Community Health Council to ensure that the views of patients and the local community are heard.”

If patients have specific queries or concerns, please phone Lucie-Jane Whelan, Primary Care Development Manager (07791 413309), or write to Anna Swinfield, Assistant Head of General Medical Services, Hywel Dda University Health Board, The Conference Centre, Withybush Hospital, Fishguard Road, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 2PZ. You can also contact the Health Board’s Patient Support Services on 0300 0200 159 / hdhb.patientsupportservices@wales.nhs.uk

Press releases

Carmarthenshire’s ambition to become ‘cycling hub of Wales’ steps up a gear

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Carmarthenshire’s ambition to become the ‘cycling hub of Wales’ has stepped up a gear following the approval of a new cycling strategy for the county.

The strategy, approved by executive board this week, sets out the direction to support the council’s aspirations to be a national lead in the provision of cycling infrastructure events and development.

It sets out 11 key objectives for the county that focus around issues of health, education, collaboration, employment and economic activity, under three key themes.

This includes infrastructure, including flagship projects such as the Towy Valley Path, Carmarthen Velodrome redevelopment and the Pembrey Closed Cycle Circuit facility.

Another area of focus is to host and attract major events such as the Tour of Britain, which has recently been announced, with ambitions to attract other major international cycling races such as the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.

For everyday travel and cycling, the council will also focus on pathways and initiatives to promote and develop cycling as an everyday activity in Carmarthenshire.

This would support the council’s responsibilities under the Active Travel Act, the Welsh Cycling Strategy and Well-Being of Future Generations Act.

Cllr Emlyn Dole, Leader of the council, said: “We announced three years ago our intention to make Carmarthenshire the cycling hub of Wales. It was great to be at the velodrome in Carmarthen last week to hear the announcement that the Tour of Britain will start here in Carmarthenshire as part of the first stage. The race director was amazed at the resources was have.”

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, executive board member for culture, sport and tourism, added: “We are attracting people into the county – we are leading the way at the moment and are being highly praised for our efforts.”

Watch the executive board discussion and read the report at www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales
Links to other cycling stories –
http://rlloydpr.co.uk/2018/06/06/pembrey-chosen-to-host-tour-of-britain-opening/
http://rlloydpr.co.uk/2018/05/26/2018-tour-of-britain-cycle-race-to-begin-in-carmarthenshire/

Press releases

New places available for dental services in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Patients who have been on a waiting list to access dental services in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are being asked to get in touch after a number of new spaces became available.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has recently undertaken a commissioning exercise to increase the level of NHS dental services within the Health Board.

As a result the health board has successfully awarded new contracts in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to support those patients who have not previously been able to access NHS dental care.

The contracts have been issued in Pembrokeshire (Tenby), with increase capacity being placed in Milford Haven, Carmarthen, Llandovery and for the Llanelli/Burry Port area.

Anyone who would like to access these services is asked to contact local practices directly.

Patients who are currently on the waiting list held by the dental services team for the Llanelli and Llandovery area will be contacted as appropriate.

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community Care and Long Term Care, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer additional places at dental practices in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire and I would encourage anyone who has been waiting to use these services to contact their local practice in the areas above.”

If you haven’t been able to find a space please contact us on 01267 229692 to register your interest.

News

Age Cymru Sir Gar (Carmarthenshire) looking for support from Nationwide members

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Age Cymru Sir Gar (the charity for the 50-plus in Carmarthenshire) is looking for support from members of the Nationwide Building Society.

The charity is one of a number of organisations bidding for cash from the Nationwide Community Grants Programme.

(Declaration of interest here as I am a trustee of Age Cymru Sir Gar)

Age Cymru Sir Gar provides flexible, practical volunteer support at home, aiding independent living for people aged over 50.

The charity has an innovative Future Age project.

Carmarthenshire has an aging population, often living in unadapted housing, not claiming the benefits they’re entitled to and with little or no access to transport or their community.

It would like to offer a befriending service which assists day-to-day living in practical ways, linking other support services through the charity’s Information and Advice service, thus extending this to the isolated vulnerable adults.

Each client will automatically be offered a welfare benefits health check to ensure all eligible benefits are claimed including support to complete the forms.

This will enable identification of issues around adaptations and fuel poverty, for example.

You can find out more by visiting the following website link

www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/sirgar/contact-us/

Ann Dymock, chief executive of Age Cymru Sir Gar, said: “Our Future Age project is far-reaching and will benefit a large section of the population. We would be grateful for any support we get from Nationwide members as the public vote for allocating funds from the Nationwide Community Grants Programme is now ‘live’.”

The voting window is open for all Nationwide Building Society members to vote from now until 20 July.
Members can vote online at: http://www.nationwide.co.uk/communityfundingvoting
Only members of Nationwide Building Society can vote, and they can only vote once. You’re a Nationwide member if you have a Nationwide current, mortgage, or savings account.

The Nationwide Community Grants Programme was set up after building society members voted to use one per cent of pre-tax profits towards funding community projects.

Community grants are available up to £50,000.

Social media links –

https://www.facebook.com/NationwideBuildingSociety

https://twitter.com/AskNationwide

#NBSCommunityFunding

News

Osian receives the St Elli Lodge 2018 Annual Musical Bursary award

Posted By Robert Lloyd

A member of Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS), Osian Wynn Clarke is the recipient of the St Elli Masonic Lodge 2018 Annual Musical Bursary

Osian was presented with his trophy, certificate and bursary at the Lodge’s Annual Sunday Lunch event at the Stradey Park Hotel.

Osian is an exciting young tenor from Tycroes, a pupil of Ysgol Dyffryn Amman School.

Osian is a member of the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, attending sessions each Saturday.

He hopes to pursue a career in music.

Cerith Owens, the chairman and director of Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) said he was grateful to St Elli Masonic Lodge for their continued support for young singers.

Photos:

Osian with Master of St Elli Masonic Lodge Lawrence C. Murphy and Lodge Secretary Roger W. Robinson
Osian with Lodge Charity Steward Nigel L. Murphy.

About Osian Clarke:

Osian is 17 and is currently studying Welsh, Music, Drama and English Literature A Levels at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. He is a member of the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, attending sessions each Saturday. He is currently working towards his Grade 5 Piano, Grade 6 Music Theory, Grade 6 Classical Voice and also his Diploma in Musical Theatre.

Osian is a fluent Welsh speaker who regularly performs at local events. One of the highlights of his experiences so far was being chosen to play the part of Coufeyrac in the Welsh Junior production of Les Miserables. This was held at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, and the cast also performed on the West End stage in London as part of the 30th Anniversary celebration of Les Miserables.

Osian is a member of the Mark Jermin Stage School, and has been involved in a number of youth productions with this group. He joined LARS in September 2017 and has performed at a number of prestigious LARS events over recent months. After finishing his studies, Osian would like to pursue a career in music.

Link to Loud Applause Rising Stars website –