FEARS that a number of core services could be hit by a lack of trainees this summer have been allayed by health board bosses.

Concerns about a potential lack of medical trainees were raised at the Hywel Dda University Health Board meeting recently but plans to recruit senior and middle grade staff were in place instead.

The decision of the Wales Deanery on trainee placement was not yet known at the meeting but it has since told the health board it was unable to fill 75% of the10 junior doctor allocation at Withybush Hospital, despite four recruits wanting to attend.

The news prompted campaign group SWAT (Save Withybush Action Team) to state: “No Core Medical Trainee rota = no on call medicine at Withybush = nobody to look after heart, lung, stroke and some gut problems overnight. It also puts pressure on all surgical specialties and A&E.

“No medical take at Withybush = patients going to Glangwili for everything and this will have a knock on effect on Swansea, Bridgend, Merthyr, Cardiff, Newport etc. It seems incredible for me to say this but when the winter crisis arrives you could be looking at people from South Wales having to be taken to Bristol for almost every specialty.”

The health board said it is increasing the number of substantive medical consultants at Withybush Hospital and offering a new package of medical training in a bid to recruit service doctors by August of this year.

Three substantive medical consultants will be added, increasing the number from eight to 11, with the possibility of more, to improve patient care and the “attractiveness of medical posts at the hospital”.

Service doctors are those who have completed medical school and are pursuing their careers in non-core training grades, or international doctors with the right credentials, said a health board spokesman.

Interim medical director Dr Philip Kloer said: “It is disappointing that the majority of the trainee posts were unfilled and we do not underestimate the challenge ahead in recruiting to these and we are already taking action with some success.

“There has been major investment at Withybush Hospital in recent years, which demonstrates the Board’s commitment to the Pembrokeshire population. Our staff and public recognise some of the great work that takes place here and the career opportunities that exist. We would appeal to our staff, partners, patients and the general public to help us with this by promoting Withybush Hospital at every opportunity. I’ve talked to medical staff and nurses and there is a new sense of optimism and hope because of our new approach and we do not want to lose that momentum at this crucial time.

“There are shortages of doctors across the UK and it is a particular challenge for hospitals serving rural populations, such as Withybush, to compete with others. But we believe there are many advantages to working in our hospitals as well - from the ability to be a generalist and work in a close knit environment and not having to sacrifice career profession and academic progression provided through our links with the universities and research and development opportunities.”

Chief executive Steve Moore stressed that the University Health Board wants the same thing as the public.

“We are fully committed to Withybush Hospital as it is it is our main hospital in Pembrokeshire, providing a pivotal role in delivering hospital services to this large geographic community,” he said.

“We’ve had commitment from our clinicians to work with the Board to take positive action, whilst also planning contingencies so we can provide safe, high quality care, as is our duty to our patients.”