Hywel Dda University Health Board has announced a review into services at South Pembrokeshire Hospital.

Speaking in Pembroke Dock, Labour Assembly candidate for South Pembrokeshire Marc Tierney said: “The review of South Pembrokeshire hospital is unexpected.

“I have visited the hospital and know local people who have accessed care up on Fort Road. We have already experienced the loss of the Minor Injuries Unit which added to the local GP caseload and forced others to seek treatment at Withybush with patients needing to pay bridge tolls and additional fuel costs.

“The local authority budget is under pressure and Pembrokeshire Council is looking at all angles to reduce costs. So a review on doing things better isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But the facts speak for themselves - our population is aging, patient needs are increasingly complex and Tory austerity is strangling public service spending.

“I can see real benefits in bringing health and social care together and working more closely with the third sector to support people makes sense. The PIVOT scheme has already proven this in Pembrokeshire.

“Whilst I would encourage patients to feed in their views, without any proper consultation it is difficult to know what arguments to make to ensure services are maintained, beds aren’t lost and the patients who require the excellent care and support currently offered by South Pembs continue to receive what they need in a setting close to their home.

“I will be meeting with the Health Board in the new year expressing my view that South Pembs is, and must remain, an important centre for delivering health care this side of the Cleddau Bridge,” he added.