Sir,

The people of South East Pembrokeshire have been well and truly sold down the river by the Hywel Dda Health Board.

Despite the early appearances of consultation by the board, it was soon obvious that no notice was being taken of the views expressed by those not in favour of the proposed plans put forward, 83 per cent of consultees being against the closure of the Tenby MIU. I hate to think what the cost of producing all of the consultation papers was, but it certainly wasn't a small amount, especially when it was not going to be considered by Hywel Dda Health Board.

I have been told that the MIU at Tenby will be closed on December 1, and as far as I am aware, there are no sound plans put in place to cover this loss. The Health Board will say that it will be taken over by the General Practitioners of Tenby and Saundersfoot Health Centres, but do these health centres have the staff to cope with this extra workload? I have my doubts.

Patients from this area will now have to travel to either Withybush or Glangwili A&E Departments. With public transport in these areas closing down due to Government cuts, how are they to get there? The likely means will be by calling an already overstretched ambulance service which currently cannot meet its targets.

During the whole of this alleged consultation process, the Hywel Dda Health Board has been lobbied by Members of Parliament, AMs, County and Community Councillors and other interested bodies, but to absolutely no avail. I have no confidence whatsoever in the senior officers of the Health Board in providing an adequate service for South East Pembrokeshire and I believe they should resign.

Tony Brinsden,

Independent County

Councillor for Amroth ward.