Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly and Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales has called on Assembly Health Minister, Brian Gibbons, to intervene to prevent swingeing cuts in health services in Pembrokeshire. Nick Bourne and local MP, Stephen Crabb, met with Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust on Friday to receive a briefing on the Trust's financial position. Following the meeting, Nick Bourne wrote to the Minister to express his concerns about the effect of any potential cuts in services and to request more funding. The letter said: "I am writing to you following a meeting I had with Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust at which concerns were expressed about their financial position. "The Trust has already achieved significant efficiencies and savings but, in spite of this, faces a shortfall of £2.4 million this financial year. "Although they are actively seeking further efficiency savings there is a real danger that services will have to be cut. "Already there are proposals to cut 20 hospital beds and to remove the twilight community nursing service. This would have serious repercussions for health services in the area. "I should be grateful if you could look at the possibility of providing further funding for health services in Pembrokeshire so significant and damaging cuts to services can be avoided. "I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible."
