Llanelli Town Council has formally backed a campaign calling for a dedicated, full-time nurse at Ysgol Heol Goffa, urging the new Welsh Health and Care Minister to intervene.
The town council has written to the Cabinet Minister, Mabon Ap Gwynfor MS, describing the current lack of a full-time medical professional at the special school as unacceptable and potentially unsafe for vulnerable pupils.
Council leader Sean Rees proposed a motion calling on the Minister to secure the service at the school. Meanwhile, Labour town councillor Shaun Greaney proposed that the Minister meet with affected parents and the Heol Goffa Action Group to discuss their concerns directly.
Hannah Coles, a parent from Trimsaran whose son attends the school, has also written to the Minister requesting swift action. Her son is tube-fed, requires rescue medication for dystonia, and has complex medical needs.
While praising the dedication of the school’s teaching staff, Ms. Coles stated that educators are currently performing medical interventions—such as tube feeding, changing tracheostomies, and catheterisation—which exceed standard first-aid responsibilities. She called on the Minister to investigate the situation and ensure full-time nursing provision is implemented.
Councillor Greaney, who represents the Lliedi ward, has written independently to the Health Secretary. He raised concerns that the absence of an on-site nurse could impact the school’s alignment with Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that children should be kept safe from harm.
While clarifying that there is no suggestion of children being harmed by staff, Councillor Greaney noted that other health boards across Wales provide on-site nurses for special schools with similarly complex pupil demographics. He stated that the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s current policy leaves teachers and teaching assistants to manage serious medical needs without full nursing qualifications.
According to Councillor Greaney, requests from the school’s headteacher for dedicated nursing provision have been made for more than five years without resolution.
Becki Gilroy, chair of the Heol Goffa Action Group, stated that the group will continue to campaign against any funding constraints that impact student safety and will persist until full-time protection is secured.
