Campaigners dismayed at health board move (From Western Telegraph)

Campaigners dismayed at health board move

Long-time campaigners for the replacement of Tenby Cottage Hospital's facilities have reacted with sadness and anger to the news that there will be no on-site beds in the building.

"We have lost our fight," said Hospital Friends chairman Pat Wright. Her organisation has raised nearly £100,000 for improvements and equipment for in and out-patients at the building in recent years.

And AM Christine Gwyther added: "If this is the sort of democracy the new Pembrokeshire Local Health Board is giving us, they can stick it."

She described Wednesday's Health Board meeting as 'the most negative, depressing and stage-managed meeting I have ever attended'.

Ms Gwyther also questioned the disappearance of funding promised by Jane Hutt. She had been told in the Assembly that £4 million was earmarked for the Tenby 'hospital' project, but it now appears that the Board only wants to use £3.3 million of it.

"How can they justify leaving £700,000 in Cardiff Bay that rightly belongs to health provision in south-east Pembrokeshire?" she asked.

Campaigners are now planning a protest at the meeting (today) Wednesday of the Pembrokeshire NHS Trust.