A ‘WALK-IN’ minor ailments service at Tenby Hospital, which was piloted during the Easter holidays, must not be developed if it is at the expense of core services at Withybush.

That was the view of Pembrokeshire Community Health Council (CHC) last Thursday.

The building’s minor injuries unit was closed at the end of 2013.

Since then, a summer and bank holiday first aid service has previously been provided from the building by the British Red Cross but this year, for the first time, was provided by "a team of advanced nurse practitioners and healthcare assistants."

The ‘walk-in’ minor ailments service at Tenby Hospital, saw nearly 80 patients attending.

The pilot scheme ran from Good Friday until Sunday April 3.

A review will now take place before any decision is made on whether the scheme will run during the summer period.

At the CHC meeting, held at Letterston Memorial Hall, a question to County Director Sue Lewis was asked for an update on Tenby.

She replied: “The provision of the walk-in service provided over the Easter period will be fully evaluated and the CHC will be party to the evaluation process. Pembrokeshire County Council continue to use part of the building for day services.”

CHC Deputy Chief Officer Sam Dentten said the data from the pilot walk-in was still being analysed.

Withybush Hospital Director and Associate Medical Director for Quality and Safety at Hywel Dda Health Board, Dr Iain Robertson-Steel warned any developments must not harm current services.

“We can only provide if it is funded. We’ll not be able to deplete services at Withybush for services elsewhere. Core services will remain at Withybush. There’s actually a shortage of staff at Withybush. The nurses available to us come from the national pool.

“You can’t provide a service unless it’s fully staffed.”

CHC members stressed there would be an upsurge in potential numbers in the next few months, with CHC member Lindsey Moran warning about the increase in numbers Tenby had to cope with in the holidays, from 6,000 to more than 60,000, with a fear A&E would be overloaded rather than treatment at a minor injuries unit.

Dr Robertson-Steel said: “The problem is a shortage of suitable skilled nurses; putting them in Tenby is not a good solution with the numbers. It needs to be sustainable, a very, very difficult thing to balance needs with the funding available and staffing available.”

Members heard a timeframe on a possible summer walk-in service was due to be worked out within 28 days.