HUNDREDS of people toured the new South Pembrokeshire Hospital during Friday's open day.

The new health and social care centre received a unanimous thumbs up from visitors, who described the combination of day care, treatment rooms, wards and offices as spacious, airy and well thought out.

More than 400 people were shown around by members of Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust and Pembrokeshire County Council, who are jointly responsible for the facility.

Outpatients began using the new centre on February 5th and other services will be transferred in coming weeks.

The hospital will contain 40 beds split into 20 single, en suite rooms and five four-bed wards.

NHS Trust chairman Lynette George was pleased at the level of interest.

She said: "This is the first facility in Wales to have integrated social and health care. It has been a long time getting to this point, but it is a service that will really benefit the local population."

Cabinet member for the elderly and infirm, Cllr David Wildman, said: "Obviously health and social services working together will provide better overall care. This is the most up-to-date social care centre in Wales at the moment and that has got to be of benefit to Pembrokeshire patients."

AM Christine Gwyther had her tonsils removed at the old hospital as a child and said: "This is a very different hospital from the one I remember. It is spacious and very well designed."

Pembroke Dock town councillors Veronica Roach and Pam George expressed hopes that the level of dedication and care at the old hospital would continue at the new facility.

Also, the trust's acting chief executive Caroline Oakley promised more facilities in the county as part of a longer term development of community provision.

If you missed the tour, take a virtual look around with our video report later this week.