Welsh Labour’s Vaughan Gething has visited Tenby to meet with local health campaigners and local Assembly Candidate Marc Tierney.

Marc Tierney invited the Deputy Minister for Health to discuss the NHS including plans for the temporary return of the Minor Injuries Unit over the Easter period and making the case for care closer to home in South East Pembrokeshire.

“Health care in Tenby has been one of my priorities since I became the local candidate,” said Marc Tierney.

“I’ve opened the opportunity for local health campaigners to speak directly to Welsh Government ministers about their concerns and I am pleased that Vaughan spent a good deal of time listening to those local concerns.

“My commitment to local patients is clear. As well as challenging the Health Board publicly and privately about Tenby GP access, I’ve kept the pressure up on how Tenby Hospital can be better used to serve the community.

“The hospital already provides a wide range of outpatient appointments. The return of the MIU in this pilot is most welcome, the Health Board must ensure it is promoted fully. I’m pleased that by working together, further investments will be made with the launch of the new eye clinic later this year and work taking place to deliver the new wet AMD treatment.”

Acknowledging that there had been improvements in getting appointments at Tenby GP surgery, local health campaigners agreed that a better solution must be found with Marc Tierney supporting the case.

Tony Wales, former chair of the Hywel Dda Community Health Council and speaking on behalf of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network, said he was delighted to see the new ‘walk-in’ nurse led service.

“As one of the members of the local SEPCHN group we have held a number of meetings with Hywel Dda health board over the last 12 months in order to help the health board design a local model of unscheduled care. This new model of care will provide a much-needed local service and help ease the pressures experienced by both Withybush and Glangwili A&E departments over the forthcoming bank holiday period.”

Vaughan Gething AM said: “I have met with Marc regularly and he always makes the case for health services, especially in the Tenby area. I want to see care closer to home and am pleased that the Health Board will be introducing further services at Tenby Hospital later this year.”