The Tenby Local Implementation Group (LIG) met last Friday to discuss the ongoing progress of the new Tenby Cottage Hospital. Mansel Thomas, chair, highlighted that a small group of LIG members had recently visited the Butts Field site and were impressed with the speed of growth, form and overall size of the hospital building.

Members were impressed that Minor Injury, Day Care and Outpatient services would all be provided in modern, spacious and dedicated treatment facilities.

Jenny Bowen, project director for Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, reported that progress was continuing, with many internal aspects nearing completion. Fitted items were now in place, including the new dental suite and reception area.

A recent decision to run outpatient physiotherapy services from the physiotherapy suite at the new hospital had been made in order to release more rooms for other outpatient clinics. Equipment lists for the new facilities had been drawn up in readiness to order for the opening early next year, all of which complied with the Trust's Moving and Handling, Health and Safety and Infection Control regulations.

A selection of photographs to form a display in the main entrance of the hospital had recently been chosen by members of the artwork group. The staff at Tenby Museum had been most helpful in assisting with this process. A further meeting of the artwork group would take place in December.

The tender for the landscaping had been agreed and would take a period of three weeks to complete. Footings to the boundary wall of the hospital had been dug and the curved fencing sections would be installed on site following construction of the wall. A list of internal signage had been drawn up, all of which would be produced and fitted by the Trust. Wording had recently been agreed on all external signage and road signs. The road signs would be manufactured and erected by the local authority highway department.

A hospital completion date had been given for December 19, however this would be dependent on the weather in the forthcoming weeks. A provisional date early in the new year had been made for potential transfer of services from the existing hospital to the new facilities, but this would rely on the date that the building is handed over to the Trust.

Mr. Thomas made reference to the ongoing concerns regarding provision of NHS beds in the independent sector. Members of the Trust and the LHB reassured the LIG that they had a continued and firm commitment to support the provision of inpatient beds. One of the initial functions of LIG since its inception was to contribute towards the planning and design work of the new hospital at Butts Field. This work had undoubtedly proved to be a great success. Now that the new hospital building was complete, it was acknowledged that the LIG had naturally reached a stage whereby the emphasis of its work would change. Members would now continue to focus their attentions on the provision of inpatient beds and services within the local community.

A further meeting of LIG is planned to take place at the end January.