Questions have been raised about the future provision of health services in Tenby, after it was revealed that the Doctor’s Surgery will become the direct responsibility of the Hywel Dda University Health Board for the time being, following the resignation of Dr Kelly.

With the consultations on plans to transform healthcare services across the county ongoing, members of Pembrokeshire County Council were given the chance to put questions to representatives of the Hywel Dda Health Board at a meeting last week in County Hall.

Clr. Michael Williams, who represents Tenby’s north ward on the council, said that primary care provision had now reached ‘crisis level’ in many parts of Pembrokeshire, and with the health board, who take over the running of the Tenby GP practice from August 1, admitting that it had been a ‘particularly challenging time’ for staff there, he voiced his concerns directly to Hywel Dda’s executive medical director and director of clinical strategy, Dr. Phil Kloer.

“I wouldn’t be forgiven if I didn’t raise the situation of primary care in Tenby. For the last three years we’ve witnessed very elderly people queuing from 7.45 in the morning to 8.30 am, only to be told when they get to the counter there are no appointments left!” said Clr. Williams at the meeting.

“People then jump in the car and go yo Withybush Hospital, which compounds the problem there.

“I find it quite amazing in the 21st century that this is the primary care service that is offered to Pembrokeshire.

“I spend quite a lot of time in North Eastern Romania, where I can see a GP by just ringing a bell and walking in - one of the poorest countries in the European regions - that’s a heck of an indictment on us!” he continued, stating that during the holiday season at the resort, the population goes up to around 60,000, and with no GPs based in Tenby, there would be a ‘flood’ of people travelling to Withybush to seek medical care.

Clr. Williams went onto put specific questions forward to Dr. Kloer regarding health services in Tenby.

He asked when the Health Board take over on August 1, would they continue the daily running of the surgery in Tenby as per the general medical services contract regarding opening hours, and will they continue the walk-in service based at Tenby Cottage Hospital, and if so, will they increase the hours of operation to include weekends and Bank Holidays?

Clr. Williams also queried what the future plans were for the ten NHS beds currently based in Park House, as he was led to believe that there was a plan to re designate them as Local Authority beds.

Dr. Kloer said that he was sorry for the ‘experience’ that the people of Tenby had received in recent times, and that it was clearly not the primary community care system that the Health Board were aspiring to. He remarked that they would be looking at all sorts of options for the future of services in Tenby, which he realised had been a challenge for quite some time now. He told Clr. Williams that he would come back to him shortly with a response to his specific questions.

Hywel Dda University Health Board recently issued a public statement and letters to reassure patients of Tenby Surgery that the Practice will remain open following the resignation of Dr Kelly from August 1.

The statement explained that the provision of services at the Surgery will become the direct responsibility of the Health Board for the time being, until the best way forward for the Practice becomes clearer.

The Practice remains open as normal, and GP cover will continue to be provided by the salaried GP and regular locums.

“The continued sustainability of General Medical Services for the patients registered at Tenby Surgery is of paramount importance for the Health Board and we see this as an opportunity to strengthen services locally,” said Elaine Lorton, assistant director of primary care at the Health Board.

Planning processes are underway to determine the available options for the Practice, and the Health Board is working closely with the Practice to provide support.

“The Health Board is keen to listen to patients and stakeholders to define what long-term model is needed for the community."

A public engagement event is planned for Tenby in the forthcoming weeks, with further details to follow.