Plans to cut GP out of hours cover in Pembrokeshire by two thirds have been criticised by Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

At present there are GPs on call in Pembroke, Tenby and Haverfordwest through the night and at weekends. However the Local Health Board wants to merge Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire's out of hours services. They plan to have one GP based at Withybush Hospital, another at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth and another at Llandysul.

"That will leave just one GP based in the whole county of Pembrokeshire which has a population of 114,000," said Mr Davies.

"I have heard from residents who are worried about the lack of cover, especially in a county that is as rural as ours.

"If the Withybush-based GP is called out St David's and another GP is needed at the same time in somewhere like Amroth it would be a long way for the next nearest on call GP based in Llandysul to travel."

The local Community Health Council (CHC) has also been contacted by worried residents.

"We are hearing some concerns about this matter and that is why we have asked the Local Health Board to do a presentation on the matter at our next meeting," said CHC chief officer Ashley Warlow.

*Out of hours GP cover will be discussed at the next Community Health Council meeting which takes place at Withybush conference centre, opposite the hospital, at 5.30pm on Monday November 17. All welcome.