Sir, I am writing with regard to the recent news concerning closure of the Cleddau Day Hospital Rehabilitation Unit at South Pembrokeshire Hospital in Pembroke Dock and Minor Injuries Unit at that facility and Tenby Cottage Hospital.
I had a stroke last year and have been receiving rehabilitation at Cleddau since then. The staff have been excellent in all respects and the progress made by many patients has been amazing. Today I learned that the Trust has a plan to transfer all rehab staff to Withybush and totally close the unit, even though construction is already underway for a new unit in the main hospital. The people of Tenby must rely on the rehab facilities at the Cleddau unit, as Pembroke people do. Some of the therapy staff, for reasons of health or family responsibilities, cannot accept a transfer.
The information available indicates that some officers within the Trust at Withybush believe such a move would provide savings in the budget. However, when questioned by telephone it appears that no one whatsoever has compared the 'savings' to the additional expenses necessary.
At Cleddau, many patients are in for half a day and ambulance transfers are quite short. How much expense would be involved in keeping patients for full days, providing lunches and paying considerable sums for ambulance men's salaries/ overtime? How much would considerable extra mileage and ambulance maintenance cost? How much additional stress would patients, most elderly, have to tolerate?
The people of Wales already have lower funding than comparable English communities and longer waiting lists. In a few years, will everyone in Pembrokeshire have to go to Carmarthen for all hospital care? It is certainly looking that way. (Mrs.) Lucille J. Evans,
24 West Hill, Lamphey.