A local councillor has hit out at the local health board for not having the 'courage' to announce in person the imminent closure of Tenby's Minor Injury Unit.

Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting of Tenby Town Council, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas, who is also the secretary of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN), told her colleagues that it was clear why the Hywel Dda Health Board's assistant general manager for community health and social care, David Morrissey, who was due to give an update on the Tenby MIU at an open public meeting in New Hedges earlier that day, had not attended, as a press release issued minutes before the meeting was due to start, confirmed that the hospital's minor injuries service was set to close.

Clr. Mrs. Thomas showed her fellow councillors a statement issued by Hywel Dda Health Board's Implementation Board, who had met last week and agreed to move forward with its decision to close Tenby Hospital's minor injuries service.

A closure date has yet to be confirmed by the authority.

"This will enable the health board to enhance the Accident and Emergency service at Withybush Hospital for the benefit of patients requiring urgent care from across Pembrokeshire and ensure we use our skilled nursing team as effectively as possible," the statement read.

Clr. Mrs. Thomas told councillors that the SEPCHN meeting was rather downbeat after receiving the news.

"As you can imagine, everyone at the meeting was rather upset and left questioning whether we are able to carry on fighting for our MIU service, as the people of South Pembs seem to be completely ignored by the local health board," she commented.

"It was an upsetting way to announce it, we all felt, and wrong that no one from Hywel Dda had the courage to come and talk to us.

"Our MIU is the most used and they are going to deprive us of it, which is heart-breaking," continued Clr. Mrs. Thomas.

The Health Board have stated that GPs will continue to provide a local enhanced primary care service for their practice populations and community pharmacies can provide additional services for minor ailments and self-care. Other service provision options will also be explored where gaps are identified.

Withybush Hospital director and associate medical director for quality and safety at Hywel Dda Health Board, Dr. Iain Robertson-Steel, said: "By moving forward with the closure of the Minor Injury Unit at Tenby Hospital, which currently sees a low number of attendances throughout the year, the health board will be able to redeploy our experienced nurse practitioners to enhance the Accident and Emergency Department service at Withybush Hospital for the benefit of urgent patients from across Pembrokeshire.

"Following the summer service pilot, it is clear that the majority of people only attend the unit for very minor injuries or illnesses, which can be dealt with by self-care or through primary healthcare such as their GP or a local pharmacy," he added.

The Health Board have said that detailed planning will now begin to implement the changes to the service, while ongoing discussions are also taking place with local GPs, and community pharmacies and all staff affected are being fully involved and consulted.

Clr. Mike Evans supported the notion put forward at the SEPCHN meeting that a further meeting be arranged by the town council, to discuss the matter in greater detail in light of the health board's announcement.

"The uncertainty of it all from day one has given me concern about the future of our hospital facility in Tenby," he said.

"So many people who live in the area don't drive, so we need to continue to fight this decision and set up a meeting asap to find a way forward," added Clr. Evans.