Formal planning permission has now been received from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for Tenby's new Cottage Hospital. This news was given to members of the Tenby Local Implementation Group (LIG) when they met on Friday at St. Johns Church Hall by Mr. Mansel Thomas, chair of the LIG. Members also heard that work has forged ahead in finalising the recommendations for the detailed internal design for the new hospital facility at Butts Field, which by large has now successfully been completed. The security elements associated with the building and surrounding area have been incorporated into the plan, and the local police force has been consulted within this process. A recent competition was implemented across the Tenby Family of Schools, where pupils were challenged to design a logo for the new Tenby Cottage Hospital (TCH) on a split site. The response was overwhelming, as hundreds of entries were received, which proved to be of a consistently high standard. Judging took place on November 1 by Mrs. George, chairman of the Trust, Elma John, manager and sponsor of prizes at Kiln Park, Caroline Thomas and Roy Haggar, Tenby LIG, and Owen Thomas and Graham Hadlow, local artists. Winners and runners-up have been chosen, and prizes will be awarded in a formal ceremony planned to take place over the next couple of weeks. A valuable display of information was presented to a recent 'Innovations in Care' health conference which took place on October 10 in Cardiff. Delegates attended from Trusts across Wales. An abstract relating to the Tenby Cottage Hospital project was entered in the conference, in order to raise the awareness of the public involvement in planning a new hospital. An initial meeting to discuss artwork within the new hospital went ahead in early November. The group met to ensure that all avenues, ideas or schemes could be explored and considered in terms of introducing artwork into the new cottage hospital. Many interesting suggestions were put forward, and a press release will be generated shortly to ask local artists to come forward with ideas. Finally, much discussion took place around tendering in the independent sector for inpatient beds; this process is ongoing. The commitment to provide such a facility is paramount, and the Trust has made a firm decision for two members of the LIG to participate in the selection process. The next meeting of the Local Implementation Group will take place on January 14, at 2.30 pm, in St. Johns Church Hall, Tenby. Members of the public are very welcome to attend.
