At a recent meeting of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network, the following matters were discussed:

Disappointment with details of the reopening of the Tenby Cottage Hospital MIU: Members of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network were extremely concerned with the details of the planned reopening of the Tenby Cottage Hospital MIU, at their recent New Hedges Village Hall meeting.

The previous day, the secretary and chair had met with Chris Martin for an update and, whilst there was confirmation of the reopening of the unit on April 1, initially for a three-month period, there was widespread dissatisfaction expressed by members with the detail.

There was serious disquiet when it was explained that the opening hours had been restricted and it was intended to reopen the unit for eight hours a day only.

What was of further concern was that the hours would be from 10 am until 6 pm. It was explained to Mr. Martin that whilst it was good to see the unit reopened, it was not acceptable to see the opening hours curtailed, which would seriously affect the usefulness of the unit and the service being provided for the community.

The opening hours proposed were also unsatisfactory, as the greatest use in Tenby was the evening, especially as the holiday season was now approaching.

Mr. Martin explained that the opening hours would be reviewed regularly as more emergency nurse practitioners were being trained and A&E doctors employed.

The situation would be further reviewed in three months time and the board promised to explain fully the situation at that time with an aim of extending the opening hours.

It was strongly agreed at the meeting that the fight to provide the previous MIU service needed to continue until normal service was resumed.

Members were thanked for their efforts in supporting the Minor Injury Unit.

This included attendance at the public meeting just before Christmas and also a HDHB meeting in Carmarthen with a coach funded by the Tenby Town Council who had been thanked by the secretary.

Evidence of the effects of the closure: The network also agreed to research the effects of the closure on the community.

Individuals and groups were asked to provide instances of how the closure had had an effect on their wellbeing and care and inform the network, leaving messages at Clarices Toy Shop in Upper Frog Street or Tenby Town Council offices.

Your Health Your Future, Hywel Dda Health Board Plans for the next five years: David Morrissey, an area manager of the Hywel Dda Health Board, discussed the document, 'Your Health, Your Future'.

Mr. Morrissey provided a detailed account of the reasons for the change in health provision that appeared to be inevitable in the current situation.

It involved care closer to home, with fewer admissions to hospital, and how care for women and children, planned and unplanned care were to be tackled.

The bulk of questions from the members were concerned with aspects of the present provision, which members felt needed to be remedied before the plans were implemented. Members were urged to return their questionnaires.

Correspondence: Correspondence was plentiful and included an update from MP Simon Hart and Trevor Purt on ophthalmic services, which had caused members so much concern.

Additional staff had been employed, but with no marked effect on services as yet.

Members were also updated with regard to the large amount of correspondence that had taken place with regard to the closure of the MIU.

With important inputs from the MP and AM's in support, there had been a major community effort in defence of the MIU.