The Friends of South Pembrokeshire Hospital say they are appalled by the Hywel Dda Health Board's decision to close the Minor Injury Unit at the Pembroke Dock facility in the new year.

"The 'temporary' closure has been decided without any consultation with the local residents and the Friends find this unacceptable," they said in a statement to the Observer.

"In press reports, the Health Board have indicated that this closure is temporary. However the Friends are fully aware of the past history within South Pembrokeshire Hospital when wards were closed and never to re-open. The Friends feel that this closure will be no different," they continued.

"The reports indicate that a full Emergency and Unscheduled Care Service at Withybush General Hospital will be maintained; however, the Friends do not believe this and feel it is an attempt to save money with no thought to the people locally who have depended on this service for many years. With the rural locality of many Pembrokeshire villages and many families not having their own transport, it is essential to maintain this service at South Pembrokeshire Hospital.

"South Pembrokeshire Hospital's Minor Injury Unit has seen nearly 4,000 patients since January 2011 and the closure is bound to have a big impact on services at Withybush General Hospital.

"Dr. I. Robertson-Steel (Hospital Director of Clinical Care) has reported that waiting times at Withybush General Hospital are currently exceeding the 95 per cent four-hour waiting target. While this does sound positive, these numbers are bound to reduce in January with the increase in the number of attendances at the Accident and Emergency Department following the closure of the Minor Injury Units at South Pembs and Tenby."

Another concern of the Friends is that the closure could potentially have a big impact on Welsh Ambulance services.

"Residents without transport who have historically accessed South Pembrokeshire Hospital by foot or taxi could in the future be dialling 999," they stated. "If ambulances are being used for non-emergency calls, the lives of those people with genuine emergencies could be put at risk.

"The Friends of South Pembrokeshire Hospital are therefore asking the general public for their support in this matter." the statement concluded

'EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED'

The news of the planned closure of the units at Tenby and South Pembs. Hospitals would was received the morning after Pembroke Town Council's December meeting, therefore members have not had the opportunity to discuss this news formally.

When asked about the matter, town clerk, Hugh Colley, said: "However, from feedback received, it is apparent that councillors and the public of Pembroke are extremely disappointed to hear the news that these vital and well used facilities will close in the new year and that patients from south Pembrokeshire will be required to travel to Withybush to receive treatment."

Some councillors were available for comment.

Clr. Dennis Evans said: "We should express our concerns in the strongest possible manner because after all we represent the residents of Pembroke and it is those residents that will now have to travel to Haverfordwest for treatment. At the very least we should have had some prior knowledge of their intentions."

Clr. Aaron Carey said: "I would like to get a petition done immediately before we are swamped by Christmas and January will be here and it will be too late."

Clr. Mel Phillips said: "Local, and especially elderly people who are unable to drive, depend on this service and many have been patched up and sent on their way."

'Disaster for residents'

Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Clr. Andrew McNaughton, has described the closure of the minor injuries clinic at South Pembrokeshire Hospital as a 'disaster for the residents of Pembroke Dock'.

"It means that residents will have to make the journey to Haverfordwest to queue up in the accident and emergency department," he said.

"Those residents that do not have their own transport will find it very difficult to gain access to quick emergency treatment for minor cuts and scrapes. There will be longer waiting times due to the increase in patients.

"This cannot be allowed to happen, there has been no consultation and no warning to assist in fighting the closure.

"Those residents living in Pembroke Dock will now have a much lower level of service than they have become accustomed to. How can this be justified as a step forward.

"I would urge all residents of Pembroke Dock and the surrounding area to make their views known to the local health board."

• See also the Health Board's report on page 13 in which the proposed closures were announced.