Local residents and even people from outside of Wales have been urged to sign a petition and questionnaire to help fight to keep Tenby's Minor Injuries Unit open, before a consultation period by the local health board closes at the end of the month.

The Hywel Dda Health Board is currently consulting on the proposal, as part of its 'Your Health/Your Future' consultation on the future of NHS services in the area, but the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN) and Tenby Town Council have combined to launch a petition to the Welsh Assembly's Petitions Committee calling on the National Assembly for Wales to ensure the proposals set out in the Hywel Dda's document referring to closure of the MIU in Tenby, are not carried out.

SEPCHN have also given a detailed response to the Health Board, outlining their main arguments for the rejection of the proposals and retention of the present service, stating that they believe the board has failed to consider public opinion.

At Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, Clr. Lawrence Blackhall reiterated how important it was to keep fighting to keep the MIU open.

"I don't need to re-rehearse the argument, but it's important that the town council's response to the Hywel Dda Health Board emphasises the excellent points made by the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network recently, and that we fully endorse their response," he said.

"Transport issues for one could prove incredibly difficult for anyone living in the area with no car needing to travel to Withybush or Glangwili, which would result in a very expensive taxi trip, and the idea of 'a one size fits all' notion across the counties is utterly unrealistic.

"We need to remind people to sign the online petition the town council has set up via the Welsh Assembly website, and remind people that they don't have to be a resident of the area or even Wales to sign it, and urge that family, friends and anyone who backs our campaign put their signature to the petition, and hopefully the Senedd's petitions committee will have a look at it and it will result in the chairman of the Health Board being called in to explain the proposals," continued Clr. Blackhall, who added that the campaign firmly opposed any plans to close the South Pembs MIU too.

The closing date to sign the e-petition (direct link: https://www.assemblywales.org/epetition-list-of-signatories.htm?pet_id=806">https://www.assemblywales.org/epetition-list-of-signatories.htm?pet_id=806) is today (Friday), while those who wish to fill in the Health Board questionnaire, stating that they disagree with the proposals, have been reminded that the forms need to be returned before the consultation period closes on Monday, October 29.

A 'drop-in' event arranged by the Health Board will also take place at Kilgetty Community Centre, on Wednesday, from 2 to 7.30 pm.