As the go ahead for the Ward 10 project at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest was announced last week, local young health campaigner Elly Neville was on hand to meet Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething on his visit to the county.

Mr. Gething announced on Thursday, April 12, that £3m funding will be provided to modernise haematology, oncology and palliative care services at Withybush Hospital, wit the money enabling the hospital’s existing Ward 10 to be modernised to improve safety, clinical quality and provide a better environment for patients and staff.

The former Ward 9 area will also be developed to serve as a ward area to allow Ward 10 patients to be cared for while the building works are carried out on the existing Ward 10, which will close for refurbishment.

The local community in Pembrokeshire has played a significant part in helping to raise funds to improve these facilities with over £450,000 being raised to date by the Health Board’s Pembrokeshire Cancer Services Fund and Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal.

“It was a pleasure to meet with staff and the Neville family today,” remarked Mr. Gething.

“Elly’s fundraising efforts have been truly inspirational and the new facility will be a tribute to her hard work and dedication,” he added.

Elly’s father, Lyn said: “On behalf of Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal we are very pleased that the funding has been given for Ward 10 which will be another step towards providing excellent cancer services for Pembrokeshire.

“On a personal note after many years of campaigning for Ward 10 I am also very pleased that, as seen with the new Pembrokeshire Haematology and Oncology Day Unit (PHODU), patients and staff will be able to receive and deliver care in excellent new facilities,” he continued.

Work is expected to start shortly and be completed by the summer of 2019.