Hospital campaigners are to seek legal advice on the next step in their fight against any reduction in the standard of health provision currently provided in Tenby.

Although issues raised during the recent consultation on the review of health care services across the county are to be considered by the Dyfed Powys Health Authority at a board meeting next month, members of CATCH (Campaign for Action on Tenby Cottage Hospital) say they are still disillusioned about the whole procedure and they feel that the only way forward is for a judicial review.

The Health Authority has agreed to modify the consultation process and the meeting on February 6 will enable some of the detailed issues that have been raised to be explored and considered more fully.

Their decision comes in the light of public opinion expressed at two packed meetings in Tenby and Kilgetty earlier this month when the both the handling of the consultation and the proposals to keep Tenby Cottage Hospital open and turn it into a resource centre while purchasing of 10 intermediate and palliative care beds from the private sector came under fire.

"We are listening to the views being expressed and the board will want to give further and fuller consideration to a number of the issues being raised, before arriving at a definitive decision about community services in Pembrokeshire," said Andy Williams, the Authority's director of performance management.

"On February 6, the Board will receive the Community Health Council's views on the consultation process and in the light of that and the other comments received, will decide how to modify the consultation process. This will include the identification of the issues to be more fully considered."

But, members of the Campaign for Action on Tenby Cottage Hospital group have vowed to continue to pressurise health chiefs to honour their promise to re-provide all the health care services on one site and this will be their sole request when they meet with the Health Authority's chief executive, Stuart Gray next month.

"We will be reiterating our views very clearly that, as the Pembrokeshire Health Trust recommended some 18 months ago, Tenby needs a community hospital," commented action group chairman, Clr. Michael Williams.

"We will also be in attendance at the board meeting and listening very carefully to what is said.

"I felt cautiously optimistic when the Health Authority agreed to modify the consultation procedure, but having attended the Community Health Council meeting on Monday night I can now see that nothing has changed," he stated.

"As I understand it the CHC have agreed in principle to accept the consultation document and are going to forward it to the Health Authority for their comments.

"It really was an appaling meeting and a waste of time. Nobody is listening and as far as we are concerned the only way forward is to seek legal advice on a judicial review," Clr. Williams pointed out.

A number of politicians and National Assembly Members have given their backing to campaigners, including the Assembly's Shadow Health Minister, Dr. Dai Lloyd, who tackled Health Minister, Jane Hutt over the proposals at health questions last Thursday.

Added Mrs. Pat Wright, chairman of Tenby Cottage Hospital's League of Friends: "We are not defending the bricks and mortar, but the services which the hospital provides.

"What we want to see is all the services located on one site to prevent any fragmentation in years to come.

"I still cannot believe why, if money is going to be made available to refurbish the hospital building and turn it into a resource centre, it cannot be refurbished to be used as a proper hospital with beds and a minor injuries unit," she said.

"I feel absolutely disillusioned with the whole procedure and the lack of professionalism and honesty amongst all the agencies involved," she stressed.

"I thought what the people of this area wanted was important," she pointed out.

Also attending the meeting on Monday was Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Christine Gwyther, who commented after the meeting: "The attitude of some of the members of the Community Health Council was less than encouraging. The chair opened the meeting by saying that 'the battle lines are drawn' as far as Tenby is concerned and I think this exemplifies very well the feeling that somehow, south east Pembrokeshire is beginning to be seen as a nuisance by the paid officials from the local health group, the Trust and the Community Health Council.

"The attitude, coming from public servants, is regrettable, but the Tenby representatives kept their end up extremely well and I must pay tribute especially to the tenacity of Mrs. Pat Wright, of the League of Friends.

"I support the call for a new and open discussion of replacement facilities within the south east Pembrokeshire area and Nick Ainger and I will be meeting Stuart Gray, chief executive, of Dyfed Powys Health Authority, next week to discuss the way forward."

As we were going to press yesterday (Thursday) we were still awaiting a response from the Community Health Council regarding Monday night's meeting.