Sir,

Last Friday morning, representatives of CATCH, The Hospital League of Friends and Tenby Town Council were on their way to Haverfordwest to meet with the new Pembrokeshire Health Board and the Health Trust, when we read the front page report of Ms. Gwyther's statement. Needless to say our hopes were raised, perhaps there had been a development that we new nothing about. Perhaps at last the Government were going to deliver?

Thus fortified we fully expected these people who are responsible for health services in Pembrokeshire to be fully aware that to quote Ms. Gwyther: "Health Minister Jane Hutt has said that on-site beds must be considered for the new Tenby Hospital." Surely Mrs. Hutt would have told these people? Not for the first time we were disappointed. No word had reached either provider.

After the fruitless meeting we were again to be disappointed. Following the letter to Jane Hutt the previous week from Mr. Cynog Dafis. Mrs. Hutt had replied: "It would be improper for me to express a view at this stage which may pre-empt a later decision."

Is it any wonder that confusion reigns?

Who then is telling the truth? If Ms. Gwyther is correct then Jane Hutt is acting improperly in issuing such a directive. Just who has she told that beds must be considered? Certainly not those responsible for provision.

This latest episode reflects the years of what can only be described as sophistry. Can you imagine the continued effect on staff moral in our hospital? Is it any wonder that minor injuries have had to be closed twice a week due to staff shortages? Who is going to apply for these posts with so much uncertainty?

The preferred option of the providers has been emphasised once again. Beds in the private sector. At one time we were told in public that if this was the case, then these patients would be nursed by NHS staff. This commitment has now been withdrawn.

The finance minister announced new hospitals for Ebbw Vale, Merthyr and Tenby. The following day all mention in the health secretary's statement of a hospital for Tenby had disappeared.

Duplicity and sophistry rule the day. Are we being kept dangling until after May 1?

Michael Williams,

4 Harding Street,

Tenby.