A "very interesting and informative" meeting of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network took place this week at New Hedges Village Hall.

The main items discussed were: the possibility of undertaking a Judicial Review into the MIU closure decision made by the Hywel Dda Health Board and an account of a possible development of services at Tenby Cottage Hospital.

Andrew Davies, town clerk at Tenby Town Council, provided an informative account of a possible Judicial Review.

Following the overwhelming community response to retain the MIU in the public consultation and a whole range of other actions, the Health Board continued to forge ahead with its MIU closure decision.

However, the Board was instructed by the Health Minister to work with the Community Health Council on these plans. Effective consultation did not take place and so the criteria stipulated by the CHC when they agreed not to refer the decision to the Health Minister were ignored.

The criteria included an equivalent replacement service on a walk-in and treat basis for registered and non-registered patients being in place.

This has not been undertaken and the community of South East Pembrokeshire is left without an injury service for a large part of the week for most of the year, which entails a lengthy journey for treatment for many.

"Mr. Davies explained that he had been investigating the possibilities of a JR on behalf of the representative group of county, town and community councillors of south east Pembrokeshire and SEPCHN and it appeared that we could have a case because, as a result of this lack of proper consultation, the LHB has failed to achieve the 'legitimate expectations' of the people of the area that an equivalent provision would be in place when the MIU closed," said SEPCHN chairman, Mansel Thomas.

"Negotiations with solicitors were ongoing and further news of the investigation is expected soon," he continued.

It became clear to the meeting that anecdotal evidence of the problems experienced by people trying to access minor injuries treatment was insufficient to fully assess the impact of the closure of Tenby MIU.

In order to support efforts to retain injury services in the area, more information is required of examples where people have failed to receive required treatment and may have been forced to suffer without treatment or had to travel to Withybush Hospital.

Full details of any problems experienced, which must include name and address, can be left at the Tenby Town Council offices in the strictest confidence.

There has been recent concern in the community at the future of clinical services at Tenby Cottage Hospital following the closure of the MIU.

Sue Lewis, county director for Pembrokeshire at the Hywel Dda Health Board, was invited to the meeting and outlined a plan which the Health Board was considering.

There was to be reconfiguration of Outpatient Services at Withybush Hospital which would require further outpatient clinics at another location. Tenby Cottage Hospital was being considered as this alternative location.

Whilst additional services at the hospital was to be welcomed, there were major concerns expressed by members regarding the reliability of the Health Board in delivering such plans. The director gave an assurance that there were no plans to close the hospital and promised to return and inform members of developments at future meetings.

Both guests were warmly thanked for their contributions.

The future of the SEPCHN was discussed, and there was strong support to continue its work through providing communication links between the Health Board and community and to provide a community voice when required.