THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 20 2017
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Health Secretary visits Withybush
19 News MP signs Book of Commitment THIS week, Preseli WITHYBUSH HOSPITAL was
host to Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport earlier this month as he visited two new facilities. Vaughan Gething was able to talk to
patients and frontline staff at Withybush and see for himself the ‘delivery of new capital projects and care closer to home’. During his tour, Mr Gething visited
the new Haematology and Oncology Unit, which is yet to be opened to patients; the new Puffin Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit [PAC Unit], which opened in its new location just before Christmas; and the Renal Unit, which has been providing care to dialysis patients in a bespoke environment for the last two years. Mr Gething said: “It was fantastic to
see first hand the modern new facilities at Withybush Hospital and to hear from staff and patients about the positive impact they’re having on people’s lives. “The bespoke new units will ensure
patients are able to receive the right treatment, at the right time, as close to home as possible.” Hywel Dda University Health Board
Chair Bernardine Rees, Withybush Clinical Director Dr Iain Robertson-Steel and County Director for Pembrokeshire Sue Lewis led the hospital tour. Together, they told the Cabinet
Secretary how closely frontline staff, patients and community fundraisers have been involved in the Haematology and Oncology project. The environment of such units is said
to have been specifically designed by estates staff, working with medical staff and patients to provide a comforting space. An example of this, according to
Hywel Dda, is how the new facility will, for the first time, provide an isolation area to provide a safer environment for the care and treatment of specific patients; a dedicated drug preparation room to improve staff’s ability to prepare medication without distraction; and a dedicated space for video-conference facilities, which could reduce the need for staff, and potentially patients, to travel. Haematology Nurse Practitioner
Tracey Thomas said: “It is a world away from our current facility and we are so looking forward to the move so that we
Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, in doing so pledging his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people. Next Friday (Jan 27) will mark
the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the site of the largest mass murder in history. In the lead up to and on
Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘How can life go
can provide the care and environment our patients deserve.” Mr Gething was also given a tour of
the new PAC Unit, where he was able to speak to play workers and nursing staff about the location and the benefits it offers for closer working with the Emergency Department, community paediatric services and other hospital facilities frequently used by children. He was also able to speak to patients,
on?’ After signing the Book of
Commitment, Mr Crabb said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for people from Pembrokeshire and across the country to reflect on the tragic events of the Holocaust. As the Holocaust moves from living history, to just history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the victims and also pay tribute to the survivors. I would encourage my constituents to show their support for such an important day. Karen Pollock MBE, Chief the Holocaust
Executive of
Educational Trust, said: “Our mission is to educate young people from every background about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance. We are very grateful to Mr Crabb for signing the Book of Commitment, signalling a continued commitment to remembering the victims of the Holocaust as well as
such as 79-year-old Dennis Carter, who has been a renal dialysis patient for six years. Dennis, of Milford Haven, originally had to be taken to Carmarthen for treatment, before he received care in a portable cabin in Withybush Hospital; however, for the last two years has benefited from the new bespoke Renal Unit at Withybush. The particular service is provided
through collaboration between the Welsh Renal Clinical Network, Welsh Health
Stephen Crabb MP: Signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment
challenging antisemitism, prejudice and bigotry in all its forms.”
Specialised Services Committee and University Health Boards in Hywel Dda and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg. Dennis said: “It certainly helps
not having to do the long journey to Carmarthen before and after treatment, and this unit really is very comfortable.” The former bricklayer was also keen
to praise local nurses, adding: “Our nurses in the Withybush renal unit are fantastic; I can’t fault them.”
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