The South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN) group is seeking feedback from the public on how the recent closure of Tenby Minor Injury Unit (MIU) has had an affect on them.

The units were temporarily closed in January (causing a storm of protest) due to a national medical recruitment issue and in order to maintain a 24-hour Emergency and Unscheduled Care service at Withybush.

Although the recruitment difficulties are still a significant challenge, the Health Board has reviewed the situation with medical and nursing rotas, which has resulted in the reopening of both units in the south of the county, on Monday, April 2.

Significant Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) support is still needed for the Withybush Department, and so the opening hours of the units, will be as follows:

Tenby MIU - seven days per week, 10 am - 6 pm (last patient booking 5.30 pm); South Pembrokeshire MIU (Pembroke Dock) - seven days per week, 1.30 - 9.30 pm (last patient booking 9 pm).

Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting of Tenby Town Council, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas (SEPCHN secretary) discussed the latest proposals from the Hywel Dda Health Board and said that chairman Chris Martin had agreed to meet with the group in June, after the situation had been reviewed.

"We'd like to know how people have been affected by the closures and what they think of the hours that have been proposed," said Clr. Mrs. Thomas.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown reported that several locals had complained about the situation and that she'd heard that the Doctor's Surgery wasn't coping very well.

"Patients who would normally go to the Cottage Hospital for minor injuries are now going into the surgery, which means the doctors and staff are under more pressure," she said.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall felt that the best way to look at how to operate a service was to look at figures from the previous year and use that to determine when the facility should be open.

"I think we should write and ask for some evidence as to why the hours have changed," he commented.

Clr. Mrs. Thomas appealed for members of the public to get in touch with her or the town council's office with any feedback they could provide.