IT'S not just health services being cut - Withybush Hospital’s volunteer run café is now under threat.

Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) announced it is ‘exploring retail and café options’ and ‘seeking expressions of interest from companies’ to provide the services.

This would see the removal of the long standing RVS volunteer run café at the Haverfordwest hospital and the WHSmith shop will be given notice.

A health board spokesman said: “Hywel Dda UHB is looking for potential tenants to operate high quality cafe environments and retail outlets in Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush Hospitals.

“Interested parties are being asked to outline their plans for the refurbishment of areas of the hospitals at zero cost to Hywel Dda UHB in order to generate income for the organisation through rent and turnover rent. This can then be used to improve the hospital environment for patients and visitors.”

The RVS café and shop at Glangwili would also be effected as well as the ‘in-house’ shop at Bronglais and privately run combined café and shop at Prince Philip Hospital.

Peter Skitt, director of operations for Hywel Dda UHB said: “More and more hospitals across the UK are looking at opportunities to support the patient and visitor experience, whilst also generating income that can be reinvested into improving hospital environments.

“We are still very early on in this process and are being very clear that contracts will only be awarded if the offer given is deemed to deliver the quality and financial returns we expect against what is currently provided at each site. This will be based on potential income for Hywel Dda UHB, as well as quality and scope of services being offered.”

Tributes were also paid to the services already provided, particularly the many years’ service and support provided to patients, staff and visitors by the RVS in Glangwili and Withybush hospitals.

Mr Skitt said: “We are very mindful that for many years Glangwili and Withybush hospitals have been provided with highly regarded, first class services by the RVS. This decision to explore alternative providers is in no way a reflection on the service RVS or their employees and volunteers have provided us. Members of our estates team have met with RVS representatives and RVS employees and volunteers have been informed.”

Interested parties will be expected to reflect a commitment to healthy eating as promoted by the Welsh Government.

Peter Llewellyn, assistant director of strategic partnerships, added: “Regardless of the outcome of this process, RVS will continue to be a valued partner providing vital services to patients. I have already begun discussions regarding potentially extending current RVS community based transport services across the region. This will greatly enhance patient access to hospitals and other health care settings, particularly for those from rural areas.”

Lesley Thompson, Royal Voluntary Service head of support and development for the west of England and Wales, said: "We are aware that the Trust is inviting tenders and we are currently in discussion with them regarding how we continue to work with one another going forward.

"Our volunteers and staff have worked tremendously hard at the hospitals for many years and we know that their efforts have been hugely appreciated. Whatever the outcome of discussions, we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for everything they have done to make the services at the hospitals a success."