THE battle for a second doctors' surgery in Westbury gathered pace this week, with residents being urged to take the fight to their local MP.

Campaigners fear concerns over the difficulty in getting an appointment at Eastleigh Surgery are not being heard and believe it is time for more direct action to be taken.

A petition showed over 2,000 people in Westbury wanted a second surgery and these people are now being asked to write to Westbury MP Dr Andrew Murrison before another protest march two months time.

Town councillor Russell Hawker said: "Obviously people are not complaining because they fear the possible consequences for themselves if they complain about the only practice in town.

"So, not only do many people find it difficult to see a doctor when they need one, but all the complaints procedures effectively do not work either.

"The petition for a second GP practice in Westbury, which ran in local shops collected approximately 2,000 signatures and considering many locals do not shop in Westbury, this is a highly significant result."

Despite having a population of more than 16,000, Westbury is the only west Wiltshire town with a single GP practice.

Bradford on Avon, with 1,000 fewer patients, has two surgeries while Melksham's 23,000 residents have three to choose from.

Campaigners argue Eastleigh Surgery is struggling to cope with the extra demand caused by developments such as the 1,000-home Leigh Park estate.

A demonstration is being planned for April and Westbury town councillor Charlie Finbow admits his patience is running out.

He said: "This is taking far longer than I would like. The PCT say they are undergoing a review but I think these are just stalling tactics. The petition shows the strength of public feeling and the next march may have to be less peaceful. Perhaps it is time we go out and stop the traffic."

Jim Rankin, chairman of the Eastleigh Surgery Patients' Forum, said he felt a second surgery would be unnecessary.

He said: "We are aware there is a problem with accessing the system in the correct way but we are currently in the process of addressing it.

"We have started making inroads into making it easier for people to get direct to the doctor and are looking at the way in which phone calls are answered.

"I can sympathise with their point of view about a second surgery but if you have a warehouse and it is going wrong, you don't just buy another warehouse. You sort the problem out.

"Ultimately another surgery could be needed but I think there is still three or four years of growth here, then maybe we can look at expanding."