The last chance to influence the Hywel Dda Health Board in its attempt to close the Tenby Cottage Hospital Minor Injuries Unit approaches.

The deadline for responses to the Hywel Dda Health Board is Monday, October 29.

Questionnaires, which are still available from the town council offices at the De Valence Pavilion, must be posted tomorrow (Saturday) morning, if they are to be received on time. There is a freepost address.

If you have already received a questionnaire and not yet returned it, please do so by the deadline.

Also, if there are uncollected petitions, please hand them in to the council office as soon as possible.

Said chairman of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network, Mansel Thomas: "There appears to have been a good response from all parts of the community, with many volunteers delivering questionnaires to their villages, streets and organisations. A big thank you to them for their efforts.

"Many organisations and businesses have also strongly supported the campaign, too many to mention, but a sincere thanks to them all. Letters of support have been received from GP practices.

"MP Simon Hart, whose press release appears in today's Observer, has consistently supported the campaign, emphasising the need to fight and protect our services.

"Angela Burns, the Assembly Member, states: 'I remain deeply concerned about the proposals to close Tenby MIU. It is not at all clear that the local doctors have the resources to take on minor injury work and I am also concerned proper account has not been taken of the huge increase in the numbers of people staying in and around Tenby during the summer months'."

Mr. Thomas continued: "The effect on the local population does not appear to have been researched by the board.

"The proposed arrangements would involve difficult journeys to Withybush or Glangwili Hospitals, for those seeking minor injury treatment during evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.

"This is especially true for those without their own transport. In Tenby, 40 per cent and 30 per cent of households in the two wards do not have their own transport. Twenty-two per cent of the population report a limiting long-term illness, 25 per cent is over 65 years of age. Are these the people that the health board expects to make these journeys?

"They are planning to scrap a state-of-the-art facility opened only six years ago. Is this effective planning?

"On the evidence, can the health board be entrusted with important decisions?"

Mr. Thomas added: "If you have not already done so, please make every effort to return questionnaires, which have a freepost address, for Monday morning. We understand that the numbers of returned questionnaires will be important in influencing the board's decision, so please make that effort. Let us fight to the last minute to protect an important element of our society."