No complaints were lodged against the Pembrokeshire Local Health Board during the first year of its existence, members of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council heard recently when the council held its statutory annual meeting with the LHB. The board was also working to improve patient information, and had received positive feedback on its efforts.

The LHB's director of nursing, Caroline Oakley, also told council members that straightforward applications for continuing care in the community were turned round in six days. She added that self-funding patients in care homes, and their families, were involved in the decision-making process.

In less than six months, the number of patients waiting to be transferred from hospital to more appropriate care had been halved. Mrs. Oakley was optimistic that the numbers would be cut again this month, when even more effective discharge teams tackle the problem of delayed transfers of care. She praised the work of Pembrokeshire County Council's Social Services staff, saying, "They have been brilliant."

FOND FAREWELL

Pembrokeshire Community Health Council bade a fond farewell to longstanding members Sue Evans, county councillors Lyn Davies, Glyn Rees and Rosemary Hayes, when the Health Council met in March. The outgoing members had completed their term of office.

Chief officer Ashley Warlow warmly thanked them all for their hard work on behalf of people of Pembrokeshire.

Mr. Warlow welcomed back county councillors Jim Codd and Islwyn Howells, who continue as representatives of the local authority. Anne Sequeira, Beryl Thomas Cleaver and Sheila Russell also continue as members of the health watchdog.

SURGERY CLOSURES

Nearly 30 rural branch surgeries in Ceredigion could close their doors to patients this year, members of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council heard recently. The council has also been notified of the intention to shut Cilgerran surgery.

Following the recent spate of outlying surgery closures in Pembrokeshire, with the exception of Cilgerran, no more applications to close are in the pipeline.

Council members welcomed an innovative pilot project, which will help to ease the transport problems for patients in Clarbeston Road, whose rural surgery in the village chapel's vestry is scheduled for closure. The main surgery in Narberth will provide extra sessions on the day that the Clarbeston Road would have been open, and Pembrokeshire Local Health Board will provide transport to bus patients to and from Narberth.

AMBULANCE COVER

The county's largest town is not to have 24-hour ambulance cover. It was hoped that this spring would see the introduction of a pilot round-the-clock service for Milford Haven.

Members of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council were disappointed to learn that the Ambulance Trust did not think that the figures for overnight call-outs to the town justified locating a 24-hour service in the town.

Detailed analysis of the call-out data for Milford Haven is to be undertaken. Additional resources available will be based at Pembroke Dock Ambulance Station.

Council chairman Barrie Woolmer voiced his concerns over situations when the Cleddau Bridge was closed. Figures for March showed that the local ambulance service was 10 per cent above its target figure for responding to life treatening calls.

OFFER WELCOMED

Pembrokeshire Community Health Council has welcomed the offer of greater consultation over the resettlement of Hensol patients to the new facility at Carmarthen. On hearing of the council's concerns over the lack of consultation, Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust invited the council, and other relevant community health councils to participate in the regular planning meetings.

TENBY

HOSPITAL

The group set up to represent the community's interest in the new unit to replace Tenby's Cottage Hospital is up and running, with eight sub groups established.

Pembrokeshire Community Health Council's representative on the group, county councillor Jim Codd, told the Health Council that the response from GPs had not been very positive, but he was hopeful this would improve.

He understood that the planned foundations would not be strong enough to build upwards in the future. However, the chairman of Pembrokeshire Local Health Board, Chris Martin, gave an assurance that there was some flexibility for the future on the site.

'EXCELLENT TREATMENT'

Her recent treatment at Withybush Hospital had been 'excellent', stated a member of the county's health watchdog, when Pembrokeshire Community Health Council held their monthly meeting in March.

HOSPITAL VISIT

When a three-strong team of monitors from Pembrokeshire Community Health Council visited Withybush Hospital recently, to inspect the public areas, they were impressed with the new signage and maps, but were disappointed that little else had improved since their last visit. The report was scheduled to be passed on to Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, who run the hospital.

LENGTHY WAITS?

Despite concerns over apparent lengthy waits for audiology services, the highest priority cases are seen quickly, members of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council were assured when they held their March meeting.

Mary Hodgeon, Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust's Director of Nursing, identified the waiting periods and explained the referral process, and follow-up and reassessments.

TEMPORARY STAFF

In a bid to improve communication with patients, Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust have appointed two temporary members of staff to concentrate on cutting jargon and improving patient information.

Called 'patient information facilitators', the two women gave a presentation on their work to some members of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council, who also have a small team of 'readers' who suggest improvements to the Trust's extensive range of leaflets.

SHORTAGE OF DENTISTS

Health managers are doing their best to solve the lack of NHS dentists in the county, it was acknowledged recently.

Pembrokeshire Community Health Council welcomed the initiatives taken by Pembrokeshire Local Health Board to attract dentists to the county. The council recognised that the shortage of dentists is an intractable countrywide problem.

COMMENTS

If you have comments or concerns regarding National Health Services in the county, then contact Pembrokeshire Community Health Council at 5 Picton Place, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, tel/fax 01437 765816; email [email protected]">[email protected].

Community Health Council meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will be held at Withybush Conference Centre, Haverfordwest, on Monday, May 17, at 7 pm. You are warmly invited to attend. An Open Forum session provides an opportunity for the public to air their views.