Watchdog seeks ambulance service boost (From Western Telegraph)

Watchdog seeks ambulance service boost

THE countys health watchdog is to press for an improvement in Pembrokeshires ambulance services.

During the Pembrokeshire Community Health Councils recent annual general meeting, concerns were expressed that Haverfordwest Ambulance Station needed to be upgraded to meet health and safety standards and this had still to be programmed.

The delay in commencing work on the new ambulance station for Pembroke Dock was also criticised.

The outpatient service provided by Withybush Hospital was described as superb, and very impressive by a member, following her recent visit to the hospital.

Stuart Fletcher, chief executive of the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, was present at the AGM.

He said he was pleased to hear such positive remarks, adding that he thought most patients experiences of the Trusts services were good and happy.

Another member praised the quality of the primary care services provided by the Trust and Pembrokeshire Local Health Group.

He singled out the Surestart programme as a good example of Welsh Assembly policies having a direct effect on the community.

He expressed his regret that he and his colleagues did not achieve his objective as chairman of the Community Health Councils primary care and community services, to make a monitoring visit to a GPs surgery.

A date was fixed, he told the AGM, but the visit was postponed.

The Community Health Councils monitoring visits to Withybush General Hospital had gone well, the meeting heard.