A NEW doctors' surgery is being built at Warminster Community Hospital giving fresh hope to campaigners calling for an end to the staffing crisis.

Renovations started this week to create space for Smallbrook Surgery to move into the threatened hospital.

Doctors will initially only serve the 3,000 patients registered at their former premises in Boreham Road.

But hospital campaigners are optimistic the move could end the out-of-hours crisis that saw the inpatient ward temporarily closed and the casualty unit moved.

Richard Vine, chairman of Friends of Warminster Hospital, said: "We are delighted. It's an excellent idea and it can't do anything but good for the hospital and for the town of Warminster."

Patients are expected to be informed of the move this week but West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and Smallbrook Surgery have not commented.