Tenby residents who believe patient safety has been compromised because of the Tenby GP surgery crisis must make their views known, says Simon Hart MP.

Mr. Hart has had numerous calls and emails from town residents who are unable to get an appointment at the surgery.

"Last week, I had an email from a cancer patient who had rung for an appointment on Monday (16th) and was told that no doctors were available because of staff sickness," said Mr. Hart.

Another Tenby patient told him: "Every day, queues start forming outside the surgery, anything up to half an hour before opening time, because you cannot book an appointment in advance, and it is impossible to get through by telephone in time to get an appointment on the day.

"You can imagine how you would feel if you are unwell, and have to stand outside in freezing conditions and rain, for up to 20-30 minutes! .... And when you do get in, there is not always a doctor available. I have personally counted 19 people waiting, including myself, and on one occasion two ladies had even taken their own chairs to sit on!"

Mr. Hart raised the issue when he met Steve Moore, the new chief executive of Hywel Dda Health Board, last week.

"He told me that he is concerned about the surgery and is working to resolve it," said Mr. Hart.

"I understand that patient safety is the key concern of HDHB regarding this situation and I would urge you to let me or the health board know if you, or anyone you know, has been placed in danger due to the problems at the surgery. It is vital that steps are taken to resolve this situation as soon as possible."

• If you have concerns about Tenby GP surgery, contact [email protected]">[email protected]