MP Simon Hart says health officials came nailbitingly close to committing to re-opening two recently-closed Minor Injury Units in South Pembrokeshire.

Speaking after attending a public meeting to discuss the closure of the MIUs at Tenby Cottage Hospital and South Pembs. Hospital, held last Thursday, at Pembroke Town Hall, Mr. Hart said: "The fact that so many people turned out shows the deep concern that people have about the closure of these vital units.

"There were two key outcomes from the meeting; the health board came tantalisingly close to committing to reopen the units. What we did manage to get was a statement from them that they had 'every confidence' that the units would be open again by the end of March.

"And they also apologised for the confusion and the way in which the announcement was made.

"This is progress, but there is still a long way to go. We must now keep up the pressure to ensure that both the units are reopen as soon as possible."

Pembroke meeting

More than 100 people attended the meeting, organised by Pembroke Town Council and chaired by the Mayor, Clr. Aden Brinn.

In attendance were Angela Burns AM and Simon Hart MP, together with Hywel Dda Health Board representatives Tony Chambers, director of planning, performance and delivery, Dr. Rob Griffiths, county associate medical director, David Hawkings, Pembrokeshire county management team, and Community Health Council representatives Ashley Warlow (chief officer) and Tony Wales (vice-chair).

Dr. Rob Griffiths told those present that the decision to close the MIU's was not taken lightly and that the authorities recognised the need to restore services to both MIU's at the end of March. He was confident that they would re-open to coincide with the start of the holiday season and also apologised that consultation was not what it should have been.

Tony Wales spoke about the considerable confusion as to whether the closures were a temporary or permanent measure. At a recent meeting with the chief executive of the Health Board, he said he had received a firm assurance that the MIU's would be restored.

In response, Tony Chambers apologised for the "inevitable inconvenience and frustration" the closures had caused, but said the decision was "not taken lightly."

The health board, he said, was confident it would be in a position to re-open the units at the end of March, but added "things can change."

He also emphasised difficulty in recruiting A&E doctors despite doing everything they could to recruit staff by exploring every opportunity, but said they were unable to attract suitably qualified staff to Pembrokeshire.

Yesterday (Thursday), campaigners were due to present the joint petition to Hywel Dda Health Board at its board meeting at the headquarters of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service in Carmarthen.

'Message loud and clear'

As well as the Pembroke meeting, one was also held in New Hedges.

Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns, who attended both meetings, said: "The message is loud and clear from the community to the Hywel Dda Board, don't close the minor injury units at South Pembrokeshire and Tenby hospitals.

"I have met with both Chris Martin, chair of the Trust, and members of the CHC to air my concerns that these closures will see the minor injuries service either staying closed in the long term or being offered through the local GP service. And my postbag is full of letters from people who have great difficulty in accessing appointments with our busy GP service on a routine basis, let alone when there is an emergency.

"The lack of consultation with either the public or the very GPs who are supposed to pick up this service means that this has become an unfortunate start to the listening, engagement and consultation exercise being undertaken by the Trust. We are all aware of the Welsh Government's policy of centralisation and cost cutting in the Health Service and I accept that the Trust have to respond to it.

"However, I sincerely hope that this is a genuine exercise where you and I can influence the shape of our hospital services and it's not simply a charade by the Trust to fulfil it's obligation to consult the public whilst knowing all the time what the intended outcome will be."

Health board response

When asked about their plans to re-open the two units, a spokeswoman for Hywel Dda Health Board told the Observer: "We are continuously reviewing the situation and any decision made regarding the reopening of the Minor Injury Units at South Pembs. and Tenby will be communicated directly to the public by the Health Board."