Sir,

I would take this opportunity to commend the actions of Tenby Town Council and especially Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas and Mr. Andrew Davies and also Mr. Mansel Thomas in their continued battle to save the Tenby Minor Injuries Unit.

At a meeting held last Friday, six of the local county councillors (Clrs. Mike Evans, Mike Williams, Tony Brinsden, Phil Kidney, Jacob Williams and myself) met again to reinforce our concerns to the invited Assembly Members who represent us at Cardiff Bay. Unfortunately, only Mrs. Angela Burns and Mr. William Powell were able to attend.

Also invited were Hywel Dda Health Board and the CHC, both the LHB and CHC declined the invitation, I was not surprised that Hywel Dda did not attend. However, the CHC is the representative voice of the patient; they have abandoned the Tenby area, its residents and visitors. The CHC originally supported the proposed closure of the MIU subject to equivalent provision at the two local Health Centres (Tenby and Saundersfoot); they are now content with the current Hywel Dda proposal that the MIU function will be replaced by enhanced GP provision, local pharmacy assistance, Red Cross cover at the weekends and a fridge magnet.

As I have stated frequently, the Health Board do not understand the area; the population is not just the residents, it is the thousands of welcomed visitors staying weekly or longer at the many holiday parks, hotels and self-catering accomodation. It doesn't understand the lengths that Tenby and Saundersfoot and other communities have gone to to attract residents and visitors to large out of season events - Ironman, markets, charity swims, music and art festivals and many more.

The Health Board promised equivalent provision at the two health centres and these would be in place prior to the closure of the MIU. It is unclear what this meant and what has been discussed. We were also promised investigation of the minor injuries provision in areas like Newquay, Cornwall, but as yet nothing has been forthcoming.

Currently, I understand the closure of the MIU is imminent and that a meeting has been offered to Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas, Clr. Evans, Clr. Williams and myself with Mr. Chris Martin, of HDHB, in mid-November. In addition, we await the outcome of the Welsh Government Petitions Committee who were petitioned by a number of local councils.

I trust that sense will prevail and that a realistic, workable solution will be found, even at this late hour. I do not want the minor injuries of this area to be dealt with by having to read the information on a fridge magnet.

I will continue to help wherever I can and would urge readers to write now to the Health Board and Assembly Members; it is never too late when you care.

County Clr. Phil Baker,

Saundersfoot ward.