The chief executive of Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust has strongly refuted rumours that hospital bed provision in the Tenby area is being compromised. Mr. Keith Thomson has offered a resolute assurance to South Pembrokeshire people that the plan is to provide new custom-designed, award-winning hospital facilities capable of delivering better services for the changing needs of patients, supported by contracted nursing home beds provided locally. His comments come after local AM Christine Gwyther used a debate on delayed transfer of care at the National Assembly to highlight her concerns over bed provision at the old Tenby Cottage Hospital. "I do hope that the Pembrokeshire NHS Trust aren't trying to pull a fast one by closing beds at Tenby Cottage before the new ones at Park House come on stream," the AM told the Observer. "There are rumours abounding that the Trust wish to close the existing bed provision and move patients out," she claimed. "I want the health minister to direct the Trust to keep their promises and keep the beds open where they are needed - in Tenby Cottage - and when they are needed - right now as we approach the season of inevitable winter bed pressures," Ms. Gwyther said.  "I have reminded the Trust of their promise to keep the beds open until the new facility at Park House is finished in the summer. "These recuperative beds make an important contribution to freeing up beds in the acute wards at Withybush and they allow Tenby and district residents to visit their relatives, get them better and get them home where they belong." When contacted by the Observer, Mr. Keith Thomson said: "These rumours, wherever they have started, are totally incorrect and it is very important that Pembrokeshire people understand the real facts. The issue at the heart of this matter is, quite simply, one of patient safety and well being. Patient safety is paramount and as a Trust, we have to put this first." This view was supported by Mr. Chris Martin, chairman of the Pembrokeshire Local Health Board, who added: "We fully support the fact that patient safety must not be compromised and we are working together to find the best solution for the residents of south east Pembrokeshire." Mr Thomson explained: "To improve hospital provision, the Trust is currently managing a complex transition of inpatient beds from the old Tenby hospital to the new Park House beds. Staff from South Pembrokeshire Hospital have been supporting the old Tenby Hospital whilst the new South Pembrokeshire Hospital is under construction. At the same time, services from the old Tenby hospital are now being provided at the new Tenby hospital. "Due to the staffing aspects of running both the new and the old Tenby hospitals in tandem, compounded by staff vacancies and the re-opening of South Pembrokeshire Hospital, the Trust has had to consider issues of clinical safety. Any such risk is unacceptable. A number of solutions are currently being considered to ensure patient safety during transition, one of which may be to provide temporary inpatient beds at Park House Nursing Home until the new Park House build is completed in July 2007. "However, I would like to assure Pembrokeshire people that this is a temporary situation aimed at ensuring patient safety while the new Park House facility is brought fully online over the next six months. This situation in no way impinges on delayed transfer of care." Mr. Thomson stated that the Trust was determined to deliver its promise to provide better, more modern services to patients across Pembrokeshire. He said: "The recent announcements of £8.75m in funding for a new A&E facility and £1.3m for a new MRI scanner at Withybush Hospital is proof of the high levels of investment currently taking place across the Trust to provide modern, fit for purpose healthcare services for patients locally. "In addition, we are currently undertaking a wide range of modernisation initiatives to support these plans. These developments will put Pembrokeshire at the forefront of health services in Wales and hopefully will reassure people about the future of Withybush Hospital and health services across the county."