Local clinicians and managers at Withybush Hospital are talking about how to get the best out of the hospital and its services in the future.

At a meeting attended by a wide range of key clinical, managerial and other staff in early May, discussions focused on exploring ways in which patient flow and experience can be improved when they need to access services or receive treatment at the hospital.

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s medical director and drector of clinical strategy, Dr. Phil Kloer, said: “We had a very positive and constructive meeting discussing the potential possibilities that will build a stronger future for Withybush. There is a clear commitment and willingness to continue this work, and plenty of innovative ideas coming forward to explore further.

“It is important to highlight that these are early discussions and we need to do much more detailed work together as a group before they are developed into a formal strategy for consideration at a future board meeting, but it’s a positive start.”

Planning for some of these developments is already underway, such as moving the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) nearer to the hospital’s Emergency and Urgent Care Centre. This will improve and strengthen links between the departments which will mean emergency staff will have better access to paediatric or children’s specialists.

Cancer services in Withybush Hospital remain a key focus as plans to build a new Chemotherapy Day Unit and a new Palliative Care, Haematology and Oncology Unit (currently known as Ward 10) continue to move forward as part of a proposed multi-million pound development, subject to more engagement and approval of a business case.

The University Health Board will provide regular updates as developments progress.