A local county councillor has called for an improved appointment system to be implemented at the Tenby Surgery in light of the news of the closure of the Minor Injury Unit in Gas Lane and also for the Surgery to be open for longer periods.

Clr. Michael Williams said that he had recently received numerous complaints regarding the appointments system currently operating in the Surgery, in particular the way patients are required to arrange appointments with GPs.

"The phone system often fails when one has graduated, after a considerable and costly time, to first or second in the queue, and patients are then advised that the Surgery does not open until 8.30 am, despite the opening time having elapsed a considerable time before," he explained.

"Many patients now find it more convenient to queue outside the surgery from early morning to get an appointment. This is hardly conducive to good health during winter months," continued Clr. Williams.

With the announcement of the closure of the MIU, Clr. Williams says it means the pressure on GPs and ambulance services will increase, making the need for a better system of arranging appointments even more urgent.

"There should be a system in place that enables individuals to arrange appointments in advance and not have to wait sometimes for long periods in the surgery," remarked Clr. Williams.

"It seems to those on the outside that we have more GPs in Tenby, but less appointment time!

"During the period that we are to be without the MIU, would it be possible that the surgery could be open for a longer period, and an undertaking given that a review of the appointment system in place will be undertaken," he added.