MINOR INJURY UNIT AND X-RAY DEPARTMENT

Since opening in March 2005, the MIU has seen the numbers attending continually increase. In 2005 there were 3,758 new cases seen, not including those being reassessed. In 2006 there were 4,682 and in 2007 there were 5,296. Already this year the numbers are up on the comparable period last year.

When attending, all patients are seen by an autonomous nurse practitioner in minor injury management. Close links have been established with the Accident and Emergency Department at Withybush, with doctors offering help and advice through telephone contact and the electronic transmission of X-rays.

The increased opening hours of the X-ray Department has greatly helped in this regard. It is now open from 9 am until 5 pm, Monday to Thursday inclusive, and this allows more injured patients to be X-rayed at the hospital, avoiding the long haul to Withybush. Plaster of Paris can also be applied at certain times of the week when the orthopaedic technician is present.

Over the Christmas holidays, Mrs. Thomas, of Tenby, was one of the patients who benefited from the quality service provided by the hospital. Having fallen and damaged her wrist, she visited the doctor, and was referred to the TCH. An X-ray resulted and she was diagnosed with a broken bone, following which she was put in plaster - all taking less than three hours. "At such a busy time, it was so convenient to have effective treatment locally," said Mrs. Thomas. If patients attend with wounds, these are followed up in Wound Clinics that are run at the Tenby Cottage Hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There was also a special event that occurred at the MIU in November, when a baby was born as an emergency. Midwives were in attendance and both mum and baby did well.

The new X-ray machine in the X Ray Department, has been donated by the TCH League of Friends. Over the last year, the variety and workload within the department has increased considerably, which is reflected in the increased opening hours.

In addition to upper and lower extremities X-rays, spinal and pelvic X-rays are also now performed. The majority of X-ray cases are referred from the GP surgeries in Tenby and Saundersfoot and occasionally Narberth, the Minor Injury Unit, the Tenby Cottage Ward and the Out Patient Department. In addition, it covers some of the clinics held at the hospital; orthopaedic clinics on Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon and the chest clinic on Tuesday morning.

The Tenby Cottage Hospital services are expanding. The recent initiative announced by the Welsh Assembly Government of more community based support could well bring about a further increase in services in the near future. What continues is the commitment and dedication of Tenby Cottage Hospital's caring staff.