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Feedback on future of MIU at Prince Philip Hospital to be considered at Public Board

Hands raised to ask question at event

19 September 2025


Hywel Dda University Health Board, following a public consultation, will decide the future of the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, at a Board meeting next Thursday (25 September 2025).

The Minor Injury Unit has been operating under temporary opening hours, 8am-8pm, since November 2024. This was to protect patient and staff safety due to not being able to staff overnight medical rotas and people attending overnight with conditions unsuitable for an MIU, highlighted by a Health Inspectorate Wales report.

A consultation on the longer-term future of the service was held from 28 April to 22 July 2025, to gather views from patients, staff, the public, and stakeholders on four options with a variation of opening hours or providing an urgent-care type model.

More than 700 questionnaire responses were received, alongside hundreds of conversations held through public drop-in and online events, meetings with community groups and organisations, as well as many direct engagement sessions with patients and staff.

This has resulted in detailed feedback and considerations about the four options in the consultation, as well as six new options from consultee responders, which the Board could consider implementing.

Mark Henwood, Executive Medical Director, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views. This has been a thorough and inclusive process, and we’ve heard a wide range of perspectives and experiences.”

“This rich picture of what matters to people and potential impacts and considerations of different options, as well as new options or variations on them, will be put forward to the Board next week. Whilst consultation itself is not a vote, it is a means by which we can ensure we have a full picture to inform our decision making.”

The consultation was supported by representatives from Save Our Services Prince Philip Action Network (SOSPPAN), Llais, Wales Ambulance Service Trust, Swansea Bay University Health Board and other partners, who helped ensure the process was open and accessible to all.

Deryk Cundy, Chair of SOSPPAN, added: “The MIU plays a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of people in Llanelli. The sentiment felt by our communities was clearly expressed by over 10,000 signatures on the petition in support of maintaining its services.

“However, we recognise that the previous service could not continue as it was. Staff were being placed under impossible pressures and needed to work above what they had been employed to do, covering a range of health incidents that should have been dealt with elsewhere. We also shared feedback about the need for mental health services in Llanelli and the role that MIU has previously played.

“We are pleased that the consultation has invited the views of local people and has shone a light on how the 111 service, including 111 option 2 for mental health, can provide guidance and triage alongside the services provided by AMAU.

“Throughout the consultation, we have been able to work alongside the Health Board in shaping options, and sharing our views, and look forward to ensuring that the future provision for the MIU at Prince Philip Hospital strengthens the service for local people. We hope these insights will help the Health Board to find a solution for the MIU that is fit for purpose, now and in the future.”

At the Public Board meeting the full consultation report will be presented, alongside other evidence and feedback.

The Public Board is made up of independent members and senior leaders who meet regularly, in public, to make decisions about local NHS services. Their role is to ensure the Health Board is acting transparently, safely, and in the best interests of the community. They will need to conscientiously consider the key findings from the consultation before deciding the next steps.

In the meantime, if you live in or are visiting Llanelli and have a minor injury during the day (8am–8pm), you can continue to walk into the MIU at Prince Philip Hospital.

For injuries outside these hours, please use:

Details of upcoming Public Board meetings, including all reports, minutes and how to view the session are available at our health board page (opens in new tab)