Sir,
I was interested to read in the Western Mail, Saturday, October 11, that the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust's decision to axe the existing beds in Tenby Cottage Hospital was, and I quote, "The number of beds in Tenby Cottage Hospital are not viable, the costs of maintaining them are almost the same as keeping 30 beds in Withybush."
What a pity they have not been more honest and upfront from the beginning of the discussions regarding the re-provision of Tenby Cottage Hospital and informed the public of the real reason for no beds. There have been so many sham public consultations.
There was the two-day conference held at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel, a year or so ago, for approximately 50 members from a cross-section of the public, the brief of which was to discuss future needs and development for Pembrokeshire Health Care. This was not, as expected, a forum where people suggested and discussed ideas. The meeting involved a presentation by the Trust regarding Resource Centres. The assembled public members were advised not to think of local needs, but to think of Pembrokeshire needs. I wonder what was the cost of the two-day gathering in order to sway the public to the already decided plan. What a pity!
There have been specifications/tenders/plans/meetings on at least two separate occasions, with a long interval between, to discuss a future 'new-build' for Tenby Cottage Hospital. This was at great cost both in time and finances to private businesses, as well as the Trust, which is ultimately public money. All of which were eventually dismissed to no avail. What a pity!
Two local public meetings were held when the assembled were allowed to think locally and voiced their thoughts very adamantly that Tenby Cottage Hospital with beds was what the public wanted and needed. What a great waste of time and money, both public and private. What a pity!
In any comment regarding Tenby Cottage Hospital, the fantastic supporting League of Friends must be mentioned and their stalwart chairman Mrs. Pat Wright, who has worked endlessly and exceedingly hard through this whole process, over several years, ably backed by Tenby councillors, particularly the current Mayor, Mrs. Caroline Thomas.
If only the truth had been expressed from the very beginning, when it was known there would be changes when the lease of the current building expired, an awful lot of effort and frustrations, to say nothing of the aforementioned time and money, would have been saved. What a pity!
Jan Evans,
Two Squirrels,
Tenby.