Sir,

Yes, there was a very good attendance at the recent successful Tenby Cottage Hospital Campaign coffee evening. Everyone present had signed the forms prepared and circulated by our Constituency Assembly Member Christine Gwyther. Up until last week, almost 2,500 of these forms with 'Yes, for beds' had been handed in and are now in the hands of Jane Hutt, the Minister for Health.

The Welsh Assembly will this week go into recess in preparation for the 2003 Assembly Elections on May 1. Assembly Members and Ministers return to their constituencies and policy making is on hold until a new administration takes over in Cardiff after May 1.

The situation, as it stands, is very clear and the next four weeks hold little opportunity for the clarification which Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives very publicly sought in last week's leading article. We are all 'singing the same song' on this important hospital issue, and as was the case again last week, some singers attract the solo roles. But there are other soloists, and a public choir of feeling.

The fund-raising coffee evening must have been a resounding success, but as a 'public relations' event it lacked a working microphone and a presenter. The indomitable Pat Wright, Christine Gwyther AM, Cynog Dafis AM and Lynette George, chairman of the now replaced Trust Committee, gave us their reports, unfortunately only heard by those in the front of the hall. No questions and most of all no dissent was heard regarding that very day's meeting of the newly formed Hospital Board.

The leanings of the above meeting against 'Option Five', (i.e. the provision of a hospital with beds) seemed surprising in a newly-formed committee who had barely had time to examine the case. Or, had they been instructed as to what decision they were to make by the former outgoing Trust Committee, who were against Tenby having a replacement Cottage Hospital and in favour of 'the Health Facility' we have heard so much about. Let us remember that the new Health Board is made up predominantly by members from north of the county, and contrary to the terms of the charter, have no local knowledge.

At a private meeting, early in February, Jane Hutt, the Health Minister, made the facts clear to the local Labour Party. She directed those present to make their views known to the newly formed Health Board. This has been, and is still being done.

Christine Gwyther constantly writes letters and has a weekly meeting with Health Minister Jane Hutt, in Cardiff. So, the voice of local people is being heard.

The final decision will be made by Jane Hutt, or someone else at the Welsh Assembly, after the election of May 1. This needs no 'clarification'. It is fact. However, we must continue with even greater effort than before to influence the recommendations of the Health Board.

Marjorie Bevan,

Joint Secretary,

Tenby and Saundersfoot Branch of the Labour Party,

3 St. David's Close,

Tenby.