The following is a copy of a letter to Health Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford

Sir,

I was recently fortunate to be staying with forty friends at the Merlewood Hotel, Saundersfoot.

Unfortunately, during my stay, I needed hospital treatment, but fortunately your very efficient local hospital was to close at hand in Tenby to cope with my medical needs.

The hotel management phoned Thomas Taxis and I was soon on my short journey to Tenby. My treatment there was friendly and efficient. After my treatment, the same taxi was called and I was very soon reunited with my friends to enjoy our day.

The next day (Sunday), I needed to attend the hospital again. The same procedure and the same very caring treatment and I was soon back with my friends.

Because of the very close proximity of the hospital, I was able to afford the necessary taxi fare. I was given to understand that the next closest would mean another 30 miles or so travel. In the event of me having to use a hospital at such a distance, I would have called an ambulance on both occasions at considerable cost to the health service. Also the time involved would have meant that the best part of two days of my enjoyable Welsh holiday would also have been wasted.

I realise you can't consider keeping your local hospital open purely for the convenience of your tourist trade, but from what I saw during my visits, the Tenby Hospital is a vital asset to the local community, who should not be expected to travel 30 miles for treatment.

I am just one voice, but from what I saw and experienced during by visits, if the hospital closed it would be a great loss, not only for the local community, but also for the many visitors like myself who come to this wonderful part of Wales.

The local proximity of this very efficient little hospital, saved the Welsh Health Service the cost of two ambulance call-outs, and me the best part of two days of my holiday.

Another point to take into consideration is that I didn't block a space in a larger hospital with something that was not life-threatening. I am anticoagulent so if I bleed I need to get attention very quickly.

This areas is fantastic for us visitors, so please think very, very carefully before you close something as necessary as your local hospital.

Ken. H. Sims (Mr.),

Reading,

Berks.