Plans by local health chiefs to train more Emergency Nurse Practitioners could hold the key to the future risk of closures at Pembrokeshire's Minor Injury Units.

Assurances that the Hywel Dda Local Health Board are training existing staff in key minor injuries skills have been sought by campaigners who have opposed the current temporary closure of the units in Tenby and Pembroke Dock, made partially because of staffing issues at Withybush Hospital A&E.

As reported last week, protestors from the two areas handed in petitions with more than 4,500 signatures at last week's meeting of the LHB, when chairman Chris Martin revealed that April 1st is being aimed for as the re-opening date.

Said South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network secretary, Caroline Thomas: "If more Emergency Nurse Practitioners are trained, then they can be staff the A & E if there aren't enough doctors, instead of taking staff from the MIUs. We understand that there is training taking place."

The health board has now assured that it will be working with community groups, including the network, to keep them informed about developments.

Said network chairman Mansel Thomas: "It has been a true community effort so far, to put pressure on the Hywel Dda Local Health Board to reinstate a valued feature of the local society." He urged campaigners to 'keep up the pressure' on the health board until the two MIUs actually re-open.

Last Wednesday, a recruitment campaign was launched to attract more doctors to Wales, particularly the west.