The first meeting of the Tenby, Saundersfoot and Narberth Community Services Review Group was held on May 17, and established the evaluation criteria for future options for health care in the area.
The group was set up following a three-month public consultation about the provision of healthcare services across Pembrokeshire. The public consultation identified that there were issues and concerns about the provision of service in the Tenby/Narberth/Saundersfoot areas and as a result, Dyfed Powys Health Authority set up the working group to examine all the options for delivering healthcare services in that area, address the details of the options and carry out an evaluation of these.
Andy Williams, chairman of the group, said: "Our first meeting was very productive and we looked at how services could best be provided in the future. It is very important, that, however the services are provided, we evaluate all possibilities to ensure that the best solution is found."
The criteria that the group established were Acceptability (to both users and providers), Accessibility, Affordability, Equity, Feasibility and Quality.
Andy Williams said: "It is very important that future health services are acceptable to everyone across the area, that they are easily accessible and that there is equity of service as well. We have to bear in mind that these services must be to the benefit of all the communities involved."
A feature of the working group is that its work will be facilitated by Mr. Graham Coomber, previously CEO of Gwent Health Authority. The other members of the group are: Dr. R. Cadbury, Dr. P. K. Allen and Partners, Narberth; Clr. R. S. Cadwallader, Narberth Town Council; Clr. W. T. Cleevely, Saundersfoot Community Council; Dr. H. E. Davies, Dr. Hurle and Partners, Saundersfoot; Dr. J. Griffiths, The Surgery, Tenby; Mr. C. Martin, Pembrokeshire Local Health Group; Mrs. C. Oakley, Withybush General Hospital; Mrs. J. Price, Pembrokeshire County Council; Clr. C. Thomas, Tenby Town Council; Mr. Andy Williams, (chair), director of permanent management and commissioning, Dyfed Powys Health Authority; facilitator - Mr. Graham Coomber.
A representative of Pembrokeshire Community Council attended as an observer.
Andy Williams said: "This first meeting established some important principles, and we will now work towards producing a report on future health services in the Dyfed Powys Health Authority Board for its meeting on July 7."
Footnote: Chairman of Tenby Cottage Hospital's League of Friends, Mrs. Pat Wright, has said she was very disappointed that there would be no delegate from the League of Friends on the panel.
"I have been assured, however, that I will be kept fully informed of the progress made and of the final decisions of the panel," Mrs. Wright commented.