Following the Hywel Dda Health Board's announcement that Tenby Hospital's minor injuries service was set to close, the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN) released their own statement.

"Hywel Dda Health Board officers, including David Morrissey, the assistant general manager of community health and social care, despite agreeing to attend a meeting of the SEPCHN this week, failed to appear at very short notice and instead forwarded a press statement that the Tenby Cottage Hospital Minor Injury Unit was to close. No explanation was provided for the non attendance," said SEPCHN chairman, Mansel Thomas.

"The closure decision was made by an Implementation Board set up by the health board. A closure date has not been decided," he stated.

On hearing the news, members raised a number of questions raised by the press release fundamental to a local injuries service which could not be answered.

These included: The role of GPs, who will - 'continue to provide a local enhanced primary care service for their practice patients' - where does this leave those not registered or visiting the area? Is this different to current arrangements?

'Community pharmacies can provide additional services for minor ailments and self-care' - are these services to be explained to us, what are they not able tackle?

'Welsh Ambulance Service advanced paramedics and nurse practitioners will continue to be available in the area' - Will an overstretched ambulance service be able to cope with an additional workload?

What of weekend injury cover? Is Withybush or Glangwili to be the destination for many seeking medical help and are all the well publicised problems of weekend public transport and car ownership emerging again?

"The press release appeared to present a stark vision of minor injury provision in this area," continued Mr. Thomas.

"Members of the Community Health Council were present and Tony Wales, its chair, reiterated a previous statement that the CHC required an equivalent service to be introduced if the MIU were to close. What is described in the press release cannot be described as an equivalent service.

"The Health Minister in many letters, to the SEPCHN and AMs, has stated that the CHC is to be involved in discussions on the closure decision and so that situation is also unclear," added Mr. Thomas.

The SEPCHN meeting concluded with an agreement to write to the health board chair expressing deep concern at these latest developments.