Snow angels praised for keeping Hywel Dda moving

Hywel Dda University Health Board has thanked the many people, organisations and businesses who have helped to transport staff to work during the recent cold spell and have praised the extraordinary efforts of staff in order to keep local health services running.

Across the three counties, members of the public gave up their time to help get staff to work using 4×4 vehicles and many staff walked to work, braving cold conditions. Local people also offered overnight accommodation for NHS staff who could not get home.

Staff who were able to get to work pulled together to run essential services for patients, with some staff helping out others departments.  Many staff worked longer hours, additional shifts and some stayed overnight to help services keep going.

Chief Executive Steve Moore thanked both staff and the public for their efforts and gestures of good:  “I would like to say thank you to our fantastic staff who kept our services going over the last few days.

“There were so many lovely stories that we heard about, with people going above and beyond, and coming up with creative solutions to solve some of the problems the recent weather threw at us.

“I’d also like to thank our public for being understanding and patient while some of our services were reduced over the weekend.”

Across Carmarthenshire, the public came out in force to help staff in need while staff worked tirelessly to care for patients including tiny triplets Ronnie, Lottie and Tommie Sargeant who are being looked after on our Specialist Baby Care Unit in Glanwili Hospital.

In Ceredigion, essential services were maintained thanks to businesses such as Shukers of Aberystwyth who provided Bronglais Hospital with the use of a 4×4 vehicle.  Many staff went the extra mile by walking in difficult conditions to work including a member of staff who walked from five miles to Aberystwyth.

Many local people in Pembrokeshire, including bus drivers, Coastguard staff, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority volunteers and voluntary organisations, came to the aid of hospital and community staff by ferrying them to places of work.

Haverfordwest Marks and Spencers kindly donated food to staff and patients in Withybush Hospital.

It will be business as usual from today (Monday) with planned operations and clinics proceeding as normal across the three counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. If there are specific problems, patients will be informed directly. If for any reason, you cannot make your appointment, please phone the number on your appointment letter or call the Outpatient Department Contact Centre on 0300 303 9642.