PATIENTS at Warminster Hospital will soon see improved facilities with the opening of a new out-patients' area.

The out-patient department is moving into a bigger area, using a former ward recently vacated by another team.

Sister in charge Ruth Wyatt said: "The new suite will provide additional rooms so we can offer more clinics. This will help cut our waiting lists and provide patients with better facilities, with improved access for the disabled."

Meanwhile Smallbrook Surgery, which is located at Warminster Hospital, announced it will be responsible for caring for patients in the in-patient ward from Tuesday.

Dr Helen Kingston, senior partner at Smallbrook Surgery, said: "We are more than happy to provide this service to the hospital's in-patients it makes sense, we are based on the same site."

The new out-patient department is the latest in a line of enhanced services being provided from the hospital.

Last year saw the opening of the Wylye Centre which hosts a range of services including speech and language therapy, family planning, a hearing clinic, the health and social care team, district nurses and occupational therapists. Health visitors hold clinics in the centre and exercise classes for the elderly also take place there.