Alarm and concern has been raised by local health campaigners following a decision to scrap a successful pilot ‘walk-in’ service in Tenby.

Officers from South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN), who recently attended the evaluation of the ‘walk-in’ Minor Ailment and Injury pilot scheme staged over the Easter period at Tenby Cottage Hospital, had been instructed by members to report on the success of the scheme.

“It had filled a gap in local health provision and provided valuable health support. It had so obviously met a need, with 181 patients attending with a wide range of ailments,” explained SEPCHN chairman, Mansel Thomas.

“However, at the evaluation meeting, it soon became apparent that the pilot was not to be repeated and a decision had already been made to abandon the scheme,” he continued, stating that the views of SEPCHN members were strongly voiced.

“The community was pleased with the pilot and wished for it to continue. However, once again the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s decision depletes the health provision in our area,” remarked Mr. Thomas.

The SEPCHN chairman said that there was acknowledgement that the scheme had been a success, but that the Health Board had struggled to find nurses to service the scheme, detailing its problems in appointing specialist nurses.

“It was later reported that two specialist nurses had recently been appointed to the GP surgery, so what is happening?” continued Mr. Thomas.

“The reason for the closure of the Tenby MIU was to provide specialist nurse support at the A and E Department at Withybush. When questioned on how many specialist nurses had been trained since then, there was no direct answer from the Health Board.

“The MIU in Cardigan Hospital continues, with no apparent problem, treating far fewer patients than the Tenby Cottage Hospital MIU before its closure. So is the South East Pembrokeshire area receiving a provision of health care that meets local needs?”

Mr. Thomas said that the Health Board admitted that there had been no investigation of the particular community needs of South East Pembrokeshire.

“It continues to compare our area to other parts of the county, ignoring the huge population growth of up to 60,000 people at some times, with fluctuations now occurring throughout the year, the largest concentration in the HDHB area; the growing retirement population and at present the low level of GP engagement,” he explained.

SEPCHN expressed its strong concern that no such investigation had taken place and offered to work with the Health Board in finding solutions, with members expressing great concerns once again at the organisation’s actions.

“There is an appreciation of the shortage of nurses, but many feel nothing sufficient has been done to provide extra staff,” continued Mr. Thomas

“Surely the Health Board was aware of the nurse shortage before the pilot began, and consequently wasn’t the pilot a waste of time?

“No doubt a first aid system will be engaged for the summer which duplicates many first aid schemes being run in the area,” he added.

Hywel Dda response:

Sue Lewis, County Director and Commissioner for Pembrokeshire, said: “Hywel Dda University Health Board piloted a nurse led ‘walk-in’ service in Tenby Resource Centre for 10 days over the Easter period.

“This service offered provision similar to that at NHS ‘walk-in’ centres in England, offering access to a range of treatments dealing with minor illnesses and ailments.

“The service was piloted to assist the University Health Board to better understand local need and the impact of high numbers of visitors to the area over the 10 day period and was staffed by employees of the UHB, who usually worked in our A&E services or GP practices.

“The Health Board have engaged the Community Health Council and the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network to assist in evaluating the impact of the service and will also be talking to local GP Practices to understand the impact of the service on those surgeries.

“Following further evaluation of patient clinical data the full evaluation of the service will be reported at the Board’s June meeting, including consideration of future options.

“A summer First Aid service will be provided in Tenby again this year, covering the peak visitor period,” she added.