THE TEAM at a Welsh home visits opticians service is celebrating after winning a top industry award.

Specsavers Home Visits (CATVOG), which is locally owned and run and serves communities across South East and South West Wales, from Caerphilly to Fishguard, has won the Domiciliary Business of the Year at the Awards for Excellence. The annual awards celebrate the achievements of Specsavers stores across the UK and Ireland.

Led by optometry director Jason Scaife and customer service director Alison Warren, the team are committed to delivering outstanding care and customer experience to their local community.

‘We’re incredibly proud to have been recognised in the Domiciliary Business of the Year category – especially since we were up against such amazing competition,’ says Alison Warren.

‘Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional eye care and connecting with our local community. This award is a wonderful recognition of that commitment. We’re proud of the difference we make every day and will continue to go above and beyond to care for the people we serve.’

The winners were announced at the Awards for Excellence ceremony in Birmingham on 28 March.

In addition to optical care, the Specsavers CATVOG Home Visits team also offers audiology services, as well as specialist support for people with low vision.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 01446 508128 or visit the Specsavers website: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-visits.

AHEAD of the Senedd elections in May, British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is calling on the next Welsh Government to do more to protect people in Wales from preventable pest problems in their homes.

In its new manifesto for public health pest management in Wales, the national trade body says no one should have to live with rats, cockroaches, flies or other pests because of poor housing conditions, slow repairs or inadequate waste management. 

Housing, public health and environmental regulation are devolved to the Senedd. 

BPCA is urging Welsh policymakers to make sure protections against pest problems apply to all renters, not just those in social housing. 

The Association warned that pests in homes are not just a nuisance and can pose a risk to health. 

Rodents can spread diseases, including leptospirosis, salmonella and listeria, while also causing damage by gnawing pipes and wiring. Cockroaches, flies, and other insects can spread pathogens, contaminate food and damage belongings. 

Rosina Robson, Chief Exec of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), said: “Too many people are still being left to deal with pest problems that could and should have been prevented. 

“Where there are building defects, poor waste management or delays to repairs, infestations can quickly take hold. That has a real impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. 

“It should not matter whether someone lives in social housing, private rented housing or temporary accommodation. The risks posed by pests are the same, and the protections should be too. 

“We want the next Welsh Government to recognise the danger pests pose in people’s homes and make sure everyone in Wales has the right to live in a decent home that is protected from avoidable infestations.” 

BPCA’s manifesto calls on the next Welsh Government to: 

• Recognise the danger that pests pose to the health and well-being of tenants  
• Ensure protections for all renters, including people living in social rented, private rented and temporary accommodation  
• Back a stronger public health approach to pest management in Wales.  

The manifesto also highlights the wider role of professional pest management in protecting public health, food supply chains and the built environment across Wales. 

BPCA says tackling pests properly means more than responding once an infestation has taken hold. Landlords and property managers also need to act on the advice of pest professionals, including improving communal waste disposal, repairing defects in buildings and addressing the conditions that allow pests to thrive. 

Niall Gallagher, BPCA’s Technical Manager, added: “We wouldn’t accept pest activity in places such as factories or restaurants where food is prepared, and people should not be expected to put up with the same risks in their own homes. 

“This is about prevention, public health and basic standards. Wales has an opportunity to lead the way and make sure fewer people are left living in misery because of pests.” 

BPCA’s full manifesto, A manifesto for public health pest management in Wales, is available from the Association’s website. 

PET owners across west Wales now have improved access to fast, high-detail diagnostic imaging after Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital installed a new in-house CT imaging suite.

The investment brings advanced diagnostics directly into the local community, helping pets receive quicker answers, earlier diagnoses and faster access to treatment.

CT scanning is an important tool in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including chronic lameness, orthopaedic problems, cancer screening and staging, nasal and dental disease, thoracic and abdominal masses, spinal disorders and suspected foreign bodies.

For pets with unexplained or ongoing health issues, CT can provide a level of detail and accuracy that standard X-rays or ultrasound scans cannot always offer. This can be crucial in identifying subtle problems earlier, allowing for more targeted treatment plans and improving long-term outcomes.

Until now, many families needing this type of advanced imaging have faced long journeys to specialist hospitals and lengthy waiting times. With the scanner now available in a primary care setting in Carmarthenshire, pets can be scanned closer to home, reducing stress for both animals and owners and speeding up the path to diagnosis.

The scanner also offers reassurance for owners seeking answers about their pet’s condition. It can produce clear, high-resolution images within minutes, meaning pets spend minimal time under anaesthetic, while results can be shared quickly with the family vet or a specialist where required.

Michelle Kirk, Practice Director at Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital said: “We’re incredibly proud to offer this level of advanced imaging within a primary care environment.

“A CT scan can make a huge difference in understanding complex conditions, whether it’s chronic pain, cancer staging, internal masses or difficult-to-diagnose problems. Our goal is to help pets receive timely, accurate diagnoses without delays.”

In addition to supporting its own clients, Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital is also offering the CT scanner to other primary care veterinary practices across the region. Local surgeries can refer patients directly for a fixed-price CT scan package, which includes pre-anaesthetic blood tests, general anaesthesia with IV fluids, pre- and post-contrast imaging, and a specialist interpretation report.

The hospital said this collaborative approach will strengthen veterinary care across the region by giving more pets access to advanced diagnostic technology while offering owners greater choice.

The procedure is typically quick and requires only a short period under anaesthetic. Each patient is assessed by a vet at Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital on the morning of the scan to ensure the procedure is safe and to answer any questions owners may have.

Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital is at Llysonnen Road, Llanllwch, Carmarthen, SA31 3SA.

CVS Healthy Pet Club patients receive a 10 per cent discount, even if they are registered at a different CVS practice.