A ‘patient participation panel’ is to be formed to give a voice to health surgery users in Tenby.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas who is also secretary of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN), said that the idea had been touted earlier in the day at a meeting at New Hedges Village Hall to discuss problems experienced by patients of Tenby Surgery.

“Hywel Dda’s vice chair Judith Hardisty was in attendance and gave us a bit of good news in that lots of young doctors were training to be GPs locally. Assistant director of primary care at the health board, Elaine Lorton was also on hand to answer questions and listen to concerns.

“She also suggested forming a ‘patient participation panel’ to give a voice to the people who use the surgery.

“Many of the concerns put forward by people attending the meeting were over the long waits for repeat prescriptions, queues to get appointments, and communications problems between the hospital and the doctor’s surgery,” she added.

Tenby Surgery became directly managed by Hywel Dda University Health Board last month, and work is continuing with the staff and teams in the practice to ensure continuity for patients.