The 10th anniversary of the opening of the new Tenby Cottage Hospital was celebrated this week.

The hospital was opened on June 26, 2006, by the Health Minister at that time, Dr. Brian Gibbon, following a prolonged period of pressure from the local community.

The morning was very well attended with representatives from the Health Board, Pembrokeshire County Council, the Mayor of Tenby, many Tenby town councillors, as well as numerous members of the community and SEPCHN.

It was good to see so many people who had been involved in the early struggles for the hospital, many of whom later became members of the Implementation Group which worked with the Health Board to plan the new hospital. This is especially true of Mrs. Pat Wright, who for many years was chair of the Friends of the Hospital organisation.

Raffle prizes were contributed by many businesses in the town, as well as members of the SEPCHN. The sum of £320 was raised for the hospital’s day centre which will be used to provide additional facilities. Thanks to you all. The Health Board presented a 10-year celebratory birthday cake which was enjoyed by all present.

Whilst at the time it did not provide all the facilities expected by some, the TCH is a fine resource for the community, evolving to meet the changing medical demands of our society. A new ophthalmology clinic is soon to start and lead practitioners dealing with frailty and heart problems are based there with others planned. There is growing pressure on the Health Board to provide a minor ailment and injury service and the community is becoming increasingly focused on that issue.

There is no doubt that the structure of our population is changing, with many more elderly people, and the Tenby Cottage Hospital will help to provide those services required closer to people’s homes. There will also be an increased need for community involvement, so why not go along to the next meeting of the SEPCHN where your views will be welcome.