Among community health council websites, Pembrokeshire's health watchdog's website was second only to Cardiff in the number of website hits received this providing further evidence that the Pembrokeshire Community Health Council (CHC) is one of the most effective CHCs in Wales. That was the claim of CHC chairman, Geoff Wright, when the council held its annual general meeting recently. As the council faces one of its most challenging tasks - that of leading the so-called option three in the controversial restructuring of health care in west Wales, Mr. Wright was re-elected chairman, with Barrie Woolmer and Chris Roberts re-elected as vice-chairmen.

Long-serving members Sheila Russell and Simon Hancock, having served over ten years in their formal capacity, were welcomed back on their appointment as co-opted members. County councillor Ken Edwards was bid farewell as he stepped down from over a decade of service to the CHC. Members were pleased to learn that newly- co-opted member, Janet Waymont, was to join the council.

MATERNITY SERVICES

Members commented on maternity services and learned that a regional maternity services liaison group, looking at services in Mid and West Wales, was in existence under the direction of Powys Local Health Board. There was presently no local user representation from Pembrokeshire. Council members stressed that such representation on the group was most important but the health authorities needed to recognise the difficulties young mothers from Pembrokeshire would face in attending meetings outside the county.

REHABILITATION CENTRE

The rehabilitation day hospital at Withybush would be relocated to premises elsewhere in Haverfordwest, as part of the multi-million pound improvements scheduled for the accident and emergency department at Withybush Hospital. Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust was currently looking for premises in the county town, which would be shared with social services. Members of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council have been assured that with the new A&E department scheduled to open in March 2008, there was plenty of time to find suitable alternative premises, which would include fitness facilities. The Cleddau Day Hospital in South Pembs. would re-open when the building work was complete.

PARKING CHARGES   Car parking charges imposed at Withybush Hospital had raised £50,000, which, supplemented by money from the Welsh Assembly, had been used to improve parking facilities. Lighting had been improved, the main access to the hospital had been resurfaced, and many additional car parking spaces had been created.   MEMBERS' DISMAY

Members of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council expressed their dismay at the continued delay in appointing a manager for the SHAPES loan store at Neyland, when the council met recently. The equipment loan facility is a joint project with Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust and Pembrokeshire County Council, and had been without a manager for over a year. The store provides equipment so that people who need specialist support can live independently in their own homes.

TENBY BEDS CONTRACT   A 25 year contract for the provision of hospital beds in the private sector to support Tenby's new cottage hospital was underway. "There is no impasse," Chris Martin, chairman of Pembrokeshire Local Health Board, told council members. "The commitment to provide the beds is there, we're working through the details." Council members heard that there had been speculation in Tenby over the length of time taken to provide the promised beds.

MORE RURAL SURGERIES TO GO?   Pembrokeshire looks set to lose more of its rural branch surgeries. Applications had been received to close the doors of surgeries at Trevine and Letterston, in addition to the recent request for surgery closures in Roch and Croesgoch. The proposals are out for consultation. However, adaptations had been carried out at Roch, and the surgery would continue to provide a service to patients in the area.

UNDER CLOSURE THREAT?   Swansea's Fairwood Hospital and Lodge, which is regularly used by Pembrokeshire patients undergoing cancer treatment is under threat of closure. The planned closure is out to consultation.

PROJECT LEADER CHALLENGED   The project leader of controversial plans to change health care services in West Wales was again challenged that he had a conflict of interest. Chris Martin heads the project board which presented the Designed to Deliver blueprint, which has rarely been out of the headlines since it was launched in March. Crowded consultations meeting have seen those who attended resoundly reject both options for changes in the document. Mr. Martin is also the chairman of Pembrokeshire Local Health Board, which buys health services on behalf of Pembrokeshire people. During the May meeting of the CHC, Mr. Martin refuted the accusation that he had a conflict of interest, saying he would make the "voice of the people of Pembrokeshire heard."

He gave an assurance that the project board was listening to the public; there was no done deal; the consultations had been genuine, and were not therefore a waste of time.