Personnel are sought to continue the hard work of a local health campaign group, whose members have fought alongside the community for many years to ensure that health and social care facilities remain at Tenby Cottage Hospital to effectively support residents in the locality.

The South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN) is searching for candidates to fill the roles of chair and secretary as future planning for the group continues.

The group has regularly held meetings at New Hedges Village Hall, up until the pandemic struck; engaging with representatives from the Hywel Dda Health Board on matters locally.

“SEPCHN is an organisation that has provided community views on local health matters for many years and has had an influence on aspects of our local health service,” said current acting chair Mansel Thomas.

“However, with the pandemic having an effect on staging meetings it is not at all clear when it will be possible to stage the next meeting.

“This, together with the personal circumstances of officers changing, means that now is an appropriate time to change. At this difficult time, I think it is necessary to start planning for the future of the group

“As chair or acting chair of the network since its conception it is certainly time for me to stand down,” continued Mr. Thomas.

“I still feel that it is important for the community to be involved in local health issues and it would be a step backward to see the Network disappear, but it is time to have a younger person as discussed in previous meetings with fresh ideas and energy to step into the breach.

“The secretary Caroline Thomas is of a similar mind and so SEPCHN is looking for a new chair and secretary to take up the responsibilities.

“Caroline has served the Network with enthusiasm for a similar period of time and I would like to thank her for her efforts and support over the years. We both would like to thank members for their support and wish them well for the future and hope that their efforts will continue,” he added.

If anyone is interested in taking up either of these roles, please contact Caroline Thomas via email at: [email protected] for SEPCHN to take matters forward.