The Hywel Dda Health Board has reiterated that no changes will be made to minor injuries cover in Tenby until suitable alternatives have been put in place for the re-provision of services.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of Tenby Town Council, the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network, county and community councillors from throughout south-east Pembrokeshire and Tenby GPs on Friday, Sue Lewis, the Health Board's county director for Pembrokeshire, said that while the final decision on proposed changes to provision rested with the Health Minister, Mark Drakeford, the Health Board still stood by their commitment that nothing would change at Tenby until alternative provision for the MIU had been agreed.

The meeting again re-iterated that they felt the Health Board failed to fully appreciate the pressures placed on local health provision, not only by the large influx of holidaymakers during the summer months, but also by the transportation networks, the large percentage of people not having access to their own vehicles and the large elderly population within south-east Pembrokeshire.

Mrs. Lewis said that, as part of their negotiations with the local GP practices in Tenby and Saundersfoot, the Health Board were now looking at models of how provision was made in similar tourist destinations where the population increased dramatically, like Newquay in Cornwall.

Drs. Iwan Griffiths and Damian Kelly, of Tenby Surgery, also agreed that they would be prepared to re-open negotiations on alternative provision once the Minister's decision was known.

The meeting also discussed options on utilising the present building on Gas Lane as the community health hub for the south-east of the county.

Discussions highlighted some of the services that used to be provided from the hospital building when it was sited at its old location in Trafalgar Road and Mrs. Lewis stressed that the Health Board were fully committed to looking at the services that could be provided at the new site.

She felt it would be illogical for them not to look at utilising such a fairly new, purpose-built building and denied that the Health Board were considering disposing of it.

Once the Health Minster had made his decision, the Health Board would be happy to meet round the table again to look at what services are currently operated from the building and what additional services could be introduced.

All present welcomed the commitment made by the Health Board, but felt it was still important to ensure that MIU services were retained in the area at present levels.

The meeting also agreed to invite Mr. Drakeford to visit Tenby to gain a better understanding of the needs of the area prior to making a final decision on the Health Board's plans.