Sir, Many people have used the Cancer Services at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest over the years and have got used to the 'glue' which sticks Oncology Cancer Services together, namely Dr. Anne Barnes MBE (for services to cancer patients in Pembrokeshire). Not many people are aware that she has decided to leave in July of this year. Dr. Barnes is a true professional and when questioned is not one to complain, but when reading between the lines, it is obvious that Dr. Barnes has reached the end of her tether! She has done her time, but is not at pension age, so could well stay on, but why should she? A total lack of support from the Hywel Dda Health Board has left Dr. Barnes close to exhaustion and burn out. Many cancer patients will be aware she rarely takes leave, gets in early and leaves late, comes in to work on days off etc. She has been working alone to run Ward 10 for far too long and when the palliative care consultant left, it was just expected that she would take up the slack and do that job as well. After nearly two years without a palliative care consultant, the post has just been advertised, but I have been told that it is unlikely that it will be filled because 'palliative care consultants are very hard to find'. On April 6, I received a letter from the vice-vhair of Hywel Dda Health Board, Mrs. Sian-Marie James, following an enquiry in which I asked what happens when Dr Barnes leaves? The letter said: 'Whilst it is not possible for us to discuss with you the detailed personal arrangements affecting members of staff, I do know that Dr Barnes has been very open regarding her intention to retire this year. Because of this, and other challenges affecting our oncology service, we have therefore set up a Review Group to look at the best service model for the future. We face serious recruitment challenges. We have advertised a post based at Glangwili Hospital on three occasions and have been unable to appoint. At present, we have visiting consultants from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU Health Board), who are working significantly above normal capacity and we are unable to offer appropriate sub-specialisation opportunities for existing consultants. There are also other issues, including capacity problems related to pharmacy services'. It has now very importantly come to light that one of the visiting consultants mentioned, Dr. Maung Moe, is also leaving his position, which leaves us in an even bigger hole! The letter went on to say: 'Dr. Barnes is a key member of this Review Group, which includes membership from the Hywel Dda Community Health Council, as well as public health professionals and clinicians from ABMU Health Board. The future arrangements for supporting Oncology Services at Withybush Hospital will therefore depend on the output from this group. I would reassure you that their work is based on the Calman-Hine principles of providing care as close to home as possible where it is safe and effective to do so'. I know this group was not set up because Dr. Barnes announced that she was leaving. This group was announced before Dr. Barnes informed them that she was going, and now visiting consultant Dr Moe is going as well. The group was set up because the Hywel Dda Health Board knows that they have let things slide and now we face a crisis with the delivery of services for cancer patients at Withybush Hospital. Some are already facing journeys to Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli to see consultants they would recently have seen locally. Services at Wityhbush Hospital are being run down across the board. My personal issues are with cancer services, having been through cancer myself and recently lost my sister to cancer. The morale of the staff on Ward 10 and the Chemotherapy Day Unit is at a very low ebb. I write letters and attend meetings with Health Board managers and the staff are asking me what is happening about their future and jobs when they, as professional staff, should be included in all consultations on delivery of cancer services. Is there a crisis in cancer cervices at Withybush Hospital? Is this the next service to be lost to our local hospital? If you have concerns about cancer services or any other services at Withybush Hospital, I urge you to contact your MP, your Assembly Member, local councillor, the Community Health Council and Hywel Dda Health Board. Everyone needs to act now, because once it's gone, it won't be coming back!!

Mr. Lyn Neville, Charity co-ordinator, Pembrokeshire Cancer Support.