Pembrokeshire residents will be served by two minor injury units in the south of the county, as well as the county's Emergency Department, at Withybush General Hospital, from Monday, April 2.

Hywel Dda Health Board announced this week that it has established a plan, involving a range of partners including local GPs, enabling the re-opening of the units in Tenby and Pembroke Dock.

The units were temporarily closed in January (causing a storm of protest) due to a national medical recruitment issue and in order to maintain a 24-hour Emergency and Unscheduled Care service at Withybush.

Although the recruitment difficulties are still a significant challenge, the Health Board has reviewed the situation with medical and nursing rotas, which has resulted in the reopening of both units in the south of the county.

Significant Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) support is still needed for the Withybush Department, and so the opening hours of the units, will be as follows:

Tenby Minor Injury Unit - seven days per week, 10 am -6 pm (last patient booking 5.30 pm).

South Pembrokeshire Minor Injury Unit (Pembroke Dock) - seven days per week, 1.30 - 9.30 pm (last patient booking 9 pm).

Chairman Chris Martin said: "We are really pleased to reinstate a minor injury service through the day and evening, seven days a week, to residents in the south of the county. A tremendous amount of work has taken place between staff and partners to achieve this and I would like to thank them for their continued dedication and commitment to the local health service. We will continue to monitor the medical staffing situation at Withybush and review the minor injury provision alongside this in three months."

Meanwhile, the Health Board would also like to remind patients about the continued importance of 'choose well' when choosing the best place to get treatment should they fall ill.

If anyone is ever unclear where they can go for advice or treatment, they can contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 in the first instance - but in life-threatening situations always call 999.

Residents should also ensure they are fully registered with their local doctor and have their contact information, including details of out-of-hours access, safely stored where they can be easily found.

Keeping essential medicines at home can also help you be prepared. Keep an up to date supply of medicines at home in a child safe cupboard which should include pain killing medicine, e.g. paracetamol, anti-diarrhoeal medicine, rehydration mixture and basic first aid kits such as plasters and a thermometer.

Dialling 999 should only ever be an option when someone's life is at serious risk. Approximately 45 per cent of calls received by the Welsh Ambulance Service are from patients dialling 999 for things such as toothache, sore throats, coughs and colds. Every day, these calls are putting people's lives at risk by taking ambulances away from those having life-threatening emergencies like a heart attack or stroke.

Make a note of these key contacts so you can Choose Well:

• In emergencies always dial 999.

• C.A.L.L. Mental Health Helpline, 0800 132 737, text 'help' to 81066, http://www.callhelpline.org.uk">www.callhelpline.org.uk.

• For your out of hours GP service, telephone your local GP number.

• NHS Direct Wales Dental Helpline - 0845 46 47.

• Pembrokeshire Social Services - in hours 01437 764551; out of hours 08708 509508.

FOOTNOTE: Although the scheduled re-opening of the MIUs has been welcomed, there is still considerable concern in the community over the proposed hours of opening. See story below.