Tide is turning for hospital's future (From Western Telegraph)

Tide is turning for hospital's future

Withybush Hospital has overcome a difficult financial period and is now looking forward to its biggest expansion in 20 years.

We have faced huge financial pressures in the last few years, but I honestly believe the tide is turning, said Stuart Fletcher, chief executive of Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust.

The trust has been undergoing a financial recovery plan and received £1.7 million in grants from the National Assembly for Wales last year.

A smaller grant will be given from the Assembly this year and the trust has met all of its financial targets set by the Assembly.

We are now looking forward to changing and developing the service in what could be the biggest expansion in 20 years, Mr Fletcher said.

We have been able to take on further staff, but we do continue to need a sustained investment to meet the increasing pressures on the health service.

The Trust now has the opportunity to invest in additional medical and nursing staff.

It has already secured a third orthopaedic consultant post and anticipates a sixth consultant physician, a second consultant haematologist, and possibly a consultant ophthalmologist.

It was also able to invest in over £2 million worth of equipment last year, and over £1 million in the training and developing of its staff.

Mr Fletcher also pointed out the incredible support of the trusts League of Friends whose donations recently topped the £1 million mark.

Voluntary groups in Pembrokeshire are extremely active and without their incredible support we would not be able to function as efficiently as we do, he said.