More than one hundred people turned out to join a demonstration by the Save Withybush Action Team (SWAT) to highlight the threat to hospital services.

People gathered at the entrance to the hospital with banners and signs calling for services such as orthopaedics and accident and emergency services to be saved.

SWAT vice-chairman Julie Milewski described the turnout as “absolutely superb”.

“People have seen posters in small villages and come along to find out because they’re afraid,” she said.

“What we would like is for the Health Board to nail its colours to the mast and say ‘this is what we are intending, what do you think about it’ and we would also like for the Health Board to meet with us.”

She said this was just the first protest and called for Hywel Dda to meet them at public meetings.

“At the engagement sessions they’ve given no information and they will not meet with us in any public situation to debate the issues, we’re finding that very distressing.

“Five years ago we had meetings that thousands of people turned out to to hear the case for both sides. This time we’re not getting that and we think that’s grossly unfair to the public.

“Predominantly we want to keep the issue in people’s minds and keep having meetings so that people are aware, so when the Health board does make its announcements that they have to be ready to fight because they understand the issues,” she added Local MP Stephen Crabb said: “I think it was really important to have a real show of strength at this protest and I’m delighted there’s been such a good turnout from people from all over the county to show how much they value W i t h y b u s h Hospital, and I hope that the local health board will listen to the strength of feeling that’s being expressed today.”

SWAT’s next public meetings will be held at the City Hall in St Davids on April 13th and the Picton Centre in Haverfordwest on April 27th. For more information visit www.pembswat.org.uk.