HAVERFORDWEST Town Council is the latest organisation to throw its voice behind the Western Telegraph’s Health and Care awards.

The council of Pembrokeshire’s county town has given its support to the awards’ Nurse of the Year award, to show its appreciation for the hard work of some of the local health service’s most resilient and essential members of staff.

When the award’s winner mounts the stage at the glitzy ceremony at the Withybush Showground Pavilion this October, they will do so in the knowledge that an organisation at the heart of a nearby community has backed them all the way.

For the town council’s civic leaders, supporting local health and care workers is part of their collective view that services in Pembrokeshire should be maintained.

Cllr Sue Murray, Mayor and Admiral of the Port of Haverfordwest praised the work of Pembrokeshire’s nurses, and of healthcare staff in general.

Cllr Sue Murray.

“Withybush General Hospital is a vital hospital for the residents of Pembrokeshire.

“The peninsula geography of Pembrokeshire, it's distance from a large city and having a major industry of tourism demands medical services closer than what is proposed.

“On a personal note having been to A&E on several occasions and more recently with my mother, I cannot say enough about the dedication of staff to their role.

“As a Town Council we always have and always will support our local hospital.”

The deputy mayor, Cllr Alan Buckfield added it was vital to support healthcare workers and their continued place in Pembrokeshire’s social fabric.

Cllr Alan Buckfield.

“Withybush General Hospital has and always should have a pivotal role in providing local health care,” he said.

“I've had three emergency admissions and my grandchildren were born there so thank you Withybush.

“It took the collapse of the Cleddau Bridge to prove the case for a local high grade hospital and we marched on Cardiff in 2005/6 to keep our hospital. We still need a fully operational LOCAL hospital.”

The town council has thrown its support behind the recent public campaign to stop urgent care and other services being removed from Withybush, Pembrokeshire’s only general hospital.

By showing its support for the Nurse of the Year, the town council is doing its part to highlight the excellent standard of care in the county, and the need to for it to remain as is.

To nominate a friend, family member or colleague for Nurse of the Year or any of the other award categories, visit the webpage.