Hywel Dda Health Board has approved a series of recommendations - 'amended in light of consultation feedback and evidence received' - to provide what they say will be first class healthcare services to the local population, now and into the future.

At an extraordinary board meeting on Tuesday, members agreed a number of changes to healthcare services which they claim will support delivery of more care closer to people's own homes and communities, ensuring hospitals are equipped to deal with the most seriously ill

Among the changes locally will be the provision of minor injury services from community based services, closing the Minor Injury Units at Tenby and South Pembrokeshire and redeploying nursing staff to support Withybush emergency services.

However, following consultation feedback and evidence, a one-year pilot will be commissioned for an additional eight-week minor injury service in Tenby (from mid-July to September, including weekends and Bank Holidays) during the peak tourist season.

Orthopaedic day-care and short stay, as well as planned surgery, including hip and knee replacements, will be retained in all three counties, following consultation feedback and evidence. For the south of the Hywel Dda Health Board area, revisions and complex orthopaedic procedures will be carried out at an Orthopaedic Centre at Prince Philip Hospital.

24/7 Emergency Departments co-located with purpose-built clinical decision and assessment facilities will be provided at Withybush and Glangwili Hospitals.

Services for women and children, support the original proposal to retain obstetric and paediatric services in each county with a complex obstetric unit, neonatal unit and high dependency paediatric unit on the Glangwili Hospital site, subject to recruitment. Following consultation feedback and evidence, the recommendation is broader and approves a clinically led group to design services and pathways for these.

Chief executive Trevor Purt said: "There has been a long process of debate, engagement and consultation during the past two years and we have been extremely encouraged by the passion our staff, stakeholders and public have for the NHS. Careful consideration has been given throughout the whole process, not only to the depth and breadth of feedback we received, but also to other evidence including healthcare standards and the context the NHS is operating in. This includes the very real challenges faced by the NHS across the UK such as recruitment difficulties and finance, as well as unique challenges such as our geographical location.

"The changes the board has supported will help us to improve the services we offer and should result in safe, sustainable services, and a shift in the balance of care, with more care provided closer to home."

Chairman Chris Martin said the board had taken due consideration of all public feedback and that as a result a number of amendments had been made to the original proposals.

"We have listened to our local population, and where we can, we have made adjustments to our original proposals. For example, hip and knee operations will now continue in each county with only revisions and complex procedures being sent to an orthopaedic centre in Llanelli. We have also committed to setting up an additional service for the peak tourist period in Tenby."

The board said it was committed to continuing to work alongside the Community Health Council during implementation.

Mr. Purt added: "On behalf of the board I would like to thank our staff for their patience during this long process, and thank our stakeholder and general public for the invaluable feedback they have given."

An implementation board will be set up to ensure that there are robust arrangements in place, and clinicians are satisfied, before any changes are made. The board will consider all risks and potential impacts on equality and diversity and will mitigate against these.

Anyone who would like continued involvement in the shaping and planning of local healthcare services is encouraged to join the health board's membership scheme.

Contact us by visiting http://www.talkinghealth.wales.nhs.uk">www.talkinghealth.wales.nhs.uk; phone 01554 779510; write to FREEPOST HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD or email [email protected]">[email protected]

The full recommendation report, and other resources, can be found at http://www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation">www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation