Latest news with #WelshAmbulanceService
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Newport roundabout delays result in traffic stuck in heatwave
Traffic was stuck for over two hours on the Woodlands Roundabout (June 18). The reason for this being a crash involving two vehicles on the A4051. Congestion stretched to Malpas Road from Junction 26 of the M4. A blocked lane meant drivers sat overheating in vehicles during the UK's spontaneous heatwave. Woodlands Roundabout where traffic was delayed (Image: Google Maps) Traffic was still heavily delayed up until 8pm. Gwent Police said: "We received a report of a road traffic collision on Malpas Road at around 3.50pm on Wednesday 18 June. "Officers attended, along with personnel from South Wales Fire and Rescue service and Welsh Ambulance Service, and the collision involved two vehicles, a red BMW and a silver Ford Ztec." There are no reports of injuries and traffic flow has since returned to normal.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Ambulance delays harm hundreds in Wales every month, says boss
Hundreds of patients each month come to avoidable harm because ambulances are forced to wait outside crowded A&E departments, the outgoing boss of the Welsh Ambulance Service has said. Jason Killens said the delays, which have increased fourfold during his nearly seven years in charge, are "unsustainable, unacceptable" and must "be cracked". He called his decision to become the chief executive of the London Ambulance Service in July "bittersweet".But he said he believes he has left the Welsh Ambulance Service in a "better place" than when he took over. So-called "handover delays" happen when hospitals become clogged up, but are largely beyond the ambulance service's Killens said Wales had "some of the worst in the UK"."When I came here in 2018 we were losing around 6,000 hours a month. At peak, last year, we were losing nearly 30,000 hours a month."Hundreds of patients every month come to some degree of avoidable harm because we can't get to them quick enough."I didn't join the ambulance service in 1996 to preside over that. I joined to provide great care."The delays are "a source of considerable frustration" for ambulance staff, he added. After issuing a number of similar warnings during his period in charge, Mr Killens said he was "pleased" the Welsh government and colleagues in other parts of the NHS "heard the calls". "Let's keep our fingers crossed for action which is now under way... we are starting to see improvements."Official figures indicate a deterioration in Welsh ambulance response times over a number of years, which Mr Killens blames in part on handover denied his period in charge had been about "managing decline" and said the service was now "much more sophisticated", only taking about half of 999 callers to hospital, while handling "almost a quarter" via phone or video consultation."I worry less about the [response time] numbers and more about the quality of care and its impact." Mr Killens said he would share lessons learned in Wales with his London colleagues, including giving patients the care they need without having to send a crew."We need to get to a point where we only send an ambulance to a patient who really, really needs an ambulance and needs to get to an emergency department."He said clinicians and the system "have evolved - we're not just drivers with certificates anymore".The ambulance boss said the key was "convincing communities that they don't need an ambulance or go to an emergency department on every single occasion".
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Ambulance Service leader in King's Birthday Honours List
Laura Charles, a Duty Control Manager based in Cwmbran, Torfaen, has been awarded the prestigious King's Ambulance Service Medal for distinguished service. Laura, 48, is originally from Fife in Scotland and moved to Cwmbran in 2001. She settled in the area before joining the Welsh Ambulance Service as a call taker in 2007. Laura started her career in Mamhilad control as a 999 Call Taker before moving to Cwmbran in 2009 when the two control rooms merged. She then became a Dispatcher and by 2016 had progressed to the role of Allocator, gaining wide experience and knowledge in control room functions. In 2022, Laura took on the role of Shift Manager for the south-east area before becoming Operations Manager in November 2024. Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: 'We are thrilled and immensely proud that Laura has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List. 'Over nearly two decades of dedicated service, Laura has exemplified outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment. 'She has consistently inspired those around her with her passion, integrity and drive and her infectious positivity motivates colleagues to give their very best, contributing to the delivery of exceptional care for the people of Wales.' Laura has nearly 2 decades of dedicated service (Image: Supplied) Gill Pleming, the Trust's Head of Service for EMS Coordination, added: 'Laura's commitment and motivation is palpable, and she is the epitome of professionalism to colleagues and our patients. 'She is highly regarded by those she leads, as well as peers, and other colleagues within the organisation. 'Laura's achievements are truly representative of the contribution she has made to improving patient experience as well as improving the working environment for her teams.' Laura also supports the Trust by raising the profile of the organisation in schools, colleges and at public engagement events to promote career opportunities. Gill added: 'She is a true advocate of working in an Emergency Coordination Centre. 'She represents everything that you would want and expect of a professional ambulance service colleague. 'On behalf of everyone who has had the pleasure of working with Laura, I wish to congratulate her on this much deserved honour.'
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
A5 driver airlifted to hospital with critical injuries after car crashes into tree
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A driver has been airlifted to hospital with "potentially life-threatening injuries", after a car crashed into a tree near the North Wales border. The single vehicle collision happened on the A5 near Gobowen at around 1.30am this morning (Tuesday). The casualty had to be freed from the vehicle, with the help of firefighters, before he was taken to Aintree Hospital for treatment. Two others were taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, following the collision which closed the road for hours. A West Mercia Police appeal said: "Officers are appealing for witnesses after a single-vehicle collision on the A5 at Gobowen around 1.30am this morning (Tuesday 17 June). "A blue Toyota Auris was travelling towards Oswestry when it left the carriageway and collided with the embankment near to the A5 Five Crosses roundabout. "A 21-year-old man was taken to hospital via air ambulance with serious injuries deemed to be potentially life-threatening. "Two other men, both aged 22, were taken to hospital via land ambulance. Their injuries are not thought to be serious." A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a car that had crashed into a tree on the A5 in Gobowen, near to Five Crosses Island at 1.34am. "Three ambulances, including one from the Welsh Ambulance Service, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car attended the scene. On arrival we discovered three patients. The driver of the car, a man, was found to be in a serious condition. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox "Fire services colleagues assisted in freeing the man from the vehicle before he received specialist trauma care at the scene. He was then taken to Aintree Hospital for further treatment. "Two other men were treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital." The road was closed for hours while emergency services worked at the scene, causing some traffic disruption, but was fully reopened by 9am. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or dashcam footage of the incident, and has not yet spoken to police is asked to get in contact. Email you can help. Find out what's happening on the roads near you
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Wales Online
Road closed as firefighters, ambulance and police rush to scene of alleged attempted murder outside pub
Road closed as firefighters, ambulance and police rush to scene of alleged attempted murder outside pub Police were called alongside paramedics and firefighters (Image: Sammy Nas ) Two men have been arrested, one on suspicion of attempted murder, following an incident outside a pub in Newport. The 42-year-old man remains arrested for attempted murder remains in police custody alongside a 33-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of affray. They were both hospitalised as a result of the incident and their injuries are not described as life-threatening or life-changing. Police were called to the scene of an altercation between two men outside the Victoria Inn on Caerleon Road in Newport at around 7pm on Sunday. They attended alongside the Welsh Ambulance Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Eye witnesses claim a man was set on fire outside of the pub that evening. A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: "We received a report of an altercation between two men on Caerleon Road, Newport, at around 7pm on Sunday 15 June. Article continues below "Officers attended along with the Welsh Ambulance Service and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. "Both men were taken to hospital for treatment. Their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing and were discharged. "The 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. "The 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray. "Both, from the Newport area, remain in police custody at this time, as our enquiries continue. Detective Chief Inspector Ellen Joslyn, the senior investigating officer, said: "We understand seeing a large number of officers in the area may cause some concern but we believe there is no ongoing threat to the public. "A police cordon is currently in place as we try to establish the circumstances. "If you have any concerns, then please do stop and talk with us." Anyone who witnessed the alleged altercation or has relevant information, including CCTV or dashcam footage, can contact Gwent Police via their website, by calling 101 or sending them a direct message on our Facebook or X social media channels, quoting log reference 2500188993. Article continues below You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, with information on 0800 555111 or via their website.
