Sir,

On Saturday, I found myself for the first time in my life, at a demonstration; I was outside the Tenby Minor Injuries Unit surrounded by a large crowd of extremely concerned residents.

The Hywel Dda Health Board have announced their plans for the MIU and it is obvious they do not understand us or our area. The unit has dealt with members of my family, whether it was a sprained ankle, changing dressings or a whole host of other services, and I am sure that many people reading this have had similar experiences.

The proposals suggest that the MIU services will be replaced by services at Saundersfoot and Tenby surgeries and something will be provided for six to eight weeks in the summer. However, there is no detail and I challenge Hywel Dda to share their proposals with us as a matter of urgency or even better end this madness now and listen to the consultation they undertook which said loud and strong, 'Hands off our MIU'.

I watched a similar, but larger demonstration in London, also held over the weekend, the residents of Lewisham marching to save their Accident and Emergency Unit - they faced an additional six-mile drive to Woolwich Hospital. Six miles! If we lose the MIU, we would be looking at a 30-mile journey to our nearest hospital in Haverfordwest or Carmarthen. Our summer population is substantial, well in excess of 50,000, and could probably warrant a fully functioning hospital in its own right.

On Saturday, there were residents, town and community councillors, county councillors and our Assembly Member all joining together with one purpose, to support our MIU - Hywel Dda do not understand us, so let's make sure that they are quick learners.

Please support the MIU in any way you can, contact your councillors, read the Tenby Observer, the next show of support needs to be even bigger.

They will understand us.

Phil Baker,

County Councillor,

Saundersfoot Ward.