A walk-in health service for residents and tourists at Tenby Cottage Hospital should be up and running by Christmas, a local councillor confirmed this week.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas, who is also secretary of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN), told her colleagues that the service would be provided by experienced nurses.

Clr. Mrs. Thomas said that a health meeting held earlier in the day at New Hedges Village Hall, organised by SEPCHN, was due to have bern attended by Joe Teape, deputy chief executive of the Hywel Dda University Health Board, but he had been unable to attend, so Pembrokeshire county director, Sue Lewis, had stepped in to give an update instead.

“The business case for the walk-in service is due to be presented in November and should be up and running by Christmas,” said Clr. Mrs. Thomas, adding that orthology treatment was also on its way, but there had been no more news regarding a promised NHS dentist for the area.

She also said that they had been invited to check out a care and support network in Solva, funded by Planed, which was a scheme that could be worthwhile.

“Hopefully, we’ll continue to see progress being made. This is encouraging news,” commented the Mayor, Clr. Laurence Blackhall.

The next SEPCHN meeting is due to be held in the new year.