Sir,

Members of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN) and other local health campaigners, were, this week, delighted with the news that a new ‘Walk-In Minor Ailment and Injury’ service is to be introduced in this area.

For over five years, there has been a struggle to have local health provision restored and refined to meet the evolving needs of our community. Last week, Hywel Dda University Health Board debated the issue and approved the introduction of a ‘Walk-In’ Minor Ailment and Injury’ service, which fulfils many of our local health demands.

Whilst the final details remain to be decided, the new service will cater for the needs of both locals and visitors. It will be run jointly by the GP surgery and Health Board and staffed with specialist nurses with prescribing responsibilities.

It will be based at its original MIU home at the Tenby Cottage Hospital and will run throughout the year.

SEPCHN has based its campaign around the needs of a huge tourist influx, now expanding throughout the year, a growing retirement population and the problems being experienced by the local surgery. The new system will help to support the needs of all these groups. The original Minor Injury Unit functions are now expanded and its facilities utilised.

As previously reported, at an early evaluation of the MAI pilot scheme, staffing problems had been aired as a difficulty, but now the Board is satisfied that the new scheme better meets the needs of our community and is to be introduced.

Over the years, the efforts have involved many people and groups in addition to the SEPCHN, including Tenby Town Council, as well as other councils, political representatives and former MIU staff.

There have been demonstrations, public meetings, meetings with Health Board managers and the Welsh Government Deputy Health Minister, letters in profusion and even television interviews, but in the end it has been the perseverance of the community which has won through.

It all coincided with the appointment of new managers in the HB. The new chair, Mrs. Bernadine Rees introduced a culture of more open discussion with the community which has brought about this result.

Local health managers, especially Mrs. Sue Lewis, have taken up the challenge and produced a model which appears to fit the bill and huge thanks go to them for their diligence.

There will continue to be local health matters of concern in our community and SEPCHN will keep on raising these issues at its regular meetings, and fighting for solutions, so why not come along and participate. Your views will be appreciated.

Mansel Thomas,

Chairman of SEPCHN