Pembrokeshire County Council gave the go-ahead last week to plans which will lead to a multi-million pound revamp of health and social care in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock. The £4.2 million scheme aims to provide better services and safeguards the future of the South Pembrokeshire hospital building in Pembroke Dock by funding an extensive rebuild and refurbishing programme. Instead of just a NHS community hospital, it will become a Health and Social Care Resource Centre, providing in-patient beds, minor injury unit and outpatients department. It will also combine social care services currently provided at the town's Hawkstone Road Day Centre and Riverside Elderly Persons Home in Pembroke, both of which will close. Said Clr. David Wildman. county council cabinet member with responsibility for the elderly and infirm: "This is an enormously exciting project. Traditionally the local authority, through its social services, has provided residential, day and home care in the county. "This project will, through partnership working, allow these services to be enhanced and re-provided jointly with colleagues from the local NHS sector and the voluntary sector." The county council's planning committee approved plans for a two-storey extension at the rear of the existing building. Various buildings within the site will be demolished, including the Portakabin currently adjacent to the west elevation. The committee was told that the extension works are designed to blend in with the existing buildings. The work is due to finish by the end of next year.
