Protesters say no to Pembroke Dock minor injury unit closure (From Western Telegraph)

Protesters say no to Pembroke Dock minor injury unit closure

11:59am Friday 15th March 2013 in News

Protesters say no to Pembroke Dock minor injury unit closure

Health protesters turned out to demonstrate against the planned closure of the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at South Pembrokeshire Hospital in Pembroke Dock this morning (Friday).

Pembroke Dock mayor Peter Kraus organised the protest, which was attended by the Friends of South Pembrokeshire Hospital and local people.

Councillor Kraus said: "As we all know if the MIU goes, it could be life threatening in itself. "With all the heavy industry and tourism, whether it be here in Pembroke Dock or in Tenby, it’s so important to have a MIU, so people do not have to go all the way to Haverfordwest or Carmarthenshire.

"It’s very important for everyone to get on board and fight for our people now."

Pembroke resident and Friends of South Pembrokeshire Hospital member Lynne Gammage was also at the demonstration.

She said: "If we did not have this facility people have been told to go to the doctors surgery for emergency treatment, but they do not have the facilities.

"People will then have to travel by car, taxi or bus, which are few and far between, to Withybush to get treatment where there is already a long waiting list.

"We have recently heard about long queues of ambulances waiting outside emergency departments, which just compounds the issues hospitals have got."

Hywel Dda Health Board announced plans to close MIUs at South Pembrokeshire and Tenby Hospitals, as well as the Special Care Baby Unit at Withybush Hospital, back in January.