Only four months after it reopened following a temporary closure, fears have again been expressed for the future of the Tenby Cottage Hospital Minor Injury Unit.

The concern has arisen following proposals announced this week by the Hywel Dda Health Board, which include the axing of the unit.

The proposals are contained in the board's 12-week consultation - Your Health Your Future Consulting our Communities - which was launched on Monday and is said to give people a chance to have their say on plans to improve services in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

At the beginning of the year when the unit was temporarily closed, there was public outcry. The local community expressed its view to retain the MIU in Tenby through a 2,500 signature petition, with the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN) also campaigning to keep the facility open.

In addition, many strong reasons were presented to the Health Board, which now appear to have been ignored, according to SEPCHN chairman, Mansel Thomas.

"Public opinion has been totally disregarded," stated Mr. Thomas after the Health Board's consultation document was released.

"Whilst the full consultation document has not yet been received, it appears that an alternative has been proposed which will need to be studied.

"From press releases, there appear to be major questions as to how it will operate.

"The suggestion is that GP surgeries will be given responsibility for minor injuries. However, details of how this scheme is to be operated are not clear," he continued.

"Opening hours for treating injuries and the provision of emergency nurse practitioners appear not to have been discussed.

"What then of the future of the well-equipped Minor Injury Unit? Is this to be wasted and discarded or incorporated into a new system? Questions need to be answered," remarked Mr. Thomas, who said that the future of the wonderful specialist team of MIU nurses who serve this community so well, must also be considered, with suitable and acceptable appointments needing assurances for all of them, if changes are to be made.

As the Hywel Dda plan is only a consultative document at this stage, the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network have vowed not to give up the fight to save the MIU.

"This is a majorly important element of our social structure, and effective MIU facilities are needed in this area," added Mr. Thomas.

A strategy meeting will be called shortly by SEPCHN and their next meeting is planned for September 4 at New Hedges Village Hall, when Health Board officials will be invited to present their case.

Secretary of SEPCHN, Mrs. Caroline Thomas, has urged locals to view the Health Board's consultation document at http://www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation">www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation and express their concerns.

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