The secretary of South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN) has emphasised the importance of the people of Tenby giving their views on local health services.

The Hywel Dda University Health Board recently launched a new clinically-led engagement and listening exercise to ask local residents and stakeholders exactly what they want from their future NHS services.

“The decision on the ‘Transforming Clinical Services’ consultations will take place next October, but it’s important that people in Tenby and the surrounding area give their views on the NHS, as we live in such a remote part of Wales that we must have our say,” said SEPCHN secretary and town councillor, Mrs. Caroline Thomas, at a meeting of Tenby Town Council on Tuesday night.

Correspondence from NHS Wales also came before the town council informing members of a public consultation to develop proposals for a new major trauma network across South and West Wales, and establishing a major trauma centre in Cardiff and a large trauma unit in Swansea.

“We should have our say on this as a town council, as we’re so far away from a trauma unit in this area,” commented Clr. Mrs. Thomas.

She went onto tell her fellow councillors that a meeting of SEPCHN had taken place at New Hedges Village Hall last week, led by the new chair, County Clr. Jon Preston.

Clr. Preston reminded those present of all the work that the ex-chair Mansel Thomas had done for health care in Tenby, firstly leading the Friends of the old Tenby Cottage Hospital in their battle to get the new hospital built, and recently to reinstate the minor injuries unit.

Karen Preece, assistant director of the medical directorate, was then welcomed to the SEPCHN meeting to give an update on the Health Board’s transformation of clinical service consultation.

The closure of the sexual health clinic at Tenby Cottage Hospital was also discussed, with an explanation given that it closed because of a lack of senior clinicians.

“It was stated at the meeting that communication was vital to keep people aware that the walk-in service at the Tenby Hospital was still available over the winter months,” continued Clr. Mrs. Thomas.

Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown told her colleagues that someone she knew had recently been to the doctors surgery in Tenby and that the ‘exceptionally nice’ receptionist had advised them that if their matter was not urgent that they could go into the walk-in centre at the hospital.

“The patient did this and were given treatment straight away, so it shows that its not always necessary to see a doctor,” she said.

“It shows with the walk-in service, we must use it, or lose it!” added Clr. Mrs. Brown.