The meeting which recently took place at New Hedges Village Hall, was chaired by Mr Mansel Thomas in the absence of South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN)?chairman, Jon Preston

Mr. Thomas said he was impressed by the number of senior Health Board members present, who were there to answer questions about both the presentation and the ongoing provision of services at the Tenby surgery.

The first matter to be discussed was whether there would be a summer weekend service this year in Tenby, with those present told that so far, no decision had been made, and that various options were being considered.

The provision of a sexual health clinic was something also still being considered.

Medical Director, Dr Phil Kloer, who is overseeing the Health Board’s transformation project, was then introduced to the meeting, giving a detailed presentation of all the proposed changes to the health services.

He emphasised that there must be changes because needs are not being met in all areas.

One of the key challenges to be met was the inequality of care between certain sectors in the population.

He explained that updated facilities would also help with recruitment problems which is causing the Health Board great expense by them having to rely on locums and agency nurses.

Dr. Kloer said that in all three proposals, Withybush Hospital would retain a 24/7 GP led minor injuries unit.

Maximising the use of Tenby Cottage Hospital as a hub providing both health and social care was one way to provide more primary care in this area, he said, before asking everyone to make sure that they filled in the questionnaire so that their opinions could be known.

There was much discussion on the reconfiguration of local hospital provision and the move of the Accident and Emergency service from Withybush Hospital.

Members were strongly advised to express their views to the Health Board, with copies of the consultation questionnaire made available.

Another major point of concern raised at the meeting was the provision of the Tenby Health Hub, which as described, would provide a range of health services locally,

However, at this stage as there were no details, the questions were asked as to whether the walk-in service would continue, and would local NHS beds still be available.

There were then lots of discussions about the Tenby surgery, and reassurances were given that the Health Board would make sure that doctors were provided at the facility until a permanent solution was in place.

This led to more questions, including the possibility of the integration of local health services.

Following the discussions, a drop-in meeting is now being organised about the Tenby surgery for information to be shared and ideas listened to.

Local councillor and SEPCHN secretary Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas told her colleagues at Tuesday night’s meeting of Tenby town council, that medical director, Dr Phil Kloer, who is overseeing the Health Board’s transformation project, gave a detailed presentation of all the proposed changes to the health services at the meeting.

She said that the no details on the possibility of maximising the use of Tenby Cottage Hospital as a hub providing both health and social care were given, and there was no updates on a decision on the weekend summer service being provided in Tenby again this year, but it was something that was being looked at and there would be a further meeting taking place at the start of July to discuss various possibilities.

Clr. Mrs. Alex Rees had also heard that the Brynteg Dental Practice, on Gas Lane, was also now taking on NHS patients, which was ‘good news’ for Tenby.