FEARS that Malmesbury and Devizes maternity units will close was heightened this week after health chiefs announced an emergency meeting with staff.

West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust denied that the emergency meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee on Monday could spell the end of one or both the units.

A final decision is due to be announced officially in just two weeks time on June 22.

But campaigners fear the worst.

Sarah Newman of Save Malmesbury Maternity Unit said: "Apparently such meetings are only called to discuss redundancies or closures. This therefore strongly suggests that the PCT has made a decision to close either Malmesbury or Devizes maternity units or both of them.

"If this were true then it would seem that the consultation process was not genuine. The decision was made, and the consultation was just a question of going through the motions."

Devizes mayor Margaret Taylor and chairwoman of Devizes Action to Save Our Hospital (DASH2) said: "The meeting is well in advance of any decision by the PCT board and I am alarmed that they are going to discuss closure with their employees.

"It's disturbing that we have so little control over the future of the unit as it is run by West Wiltshire PCT.

"It is unfair that West Wiltshire PCT is proposing to close the units that are the furthest away from them. We are at the mercy of West Wiltshire PCT."

A report released earlier this year by Kennet and North Wilts PCT suggested that both units are uneconomical to run. The trust proposed the closure of birthing units at both Devizes and Malmesbury which it said could save an estimated £318,000.

The axed services would be re-provided at Chippenham and Trowbridge units, the report proposed.

Stephen Golledge, acting joint chief executive of Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Primary Care Trust and West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust said no decision had been made and the meeting was to discuss 'options'.

"I think it will explore what will happen if the board of Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT did decide to close the two maternity units. I think it's properly reasonable to have these types of conversations. The meeting is not making assumptions about the outcome of the consultation and the review and the board hasn't made its decision."

Roger Davey, senior steward of Wiltshire Unison, had been informed of the meeting. He said: "We don't know what is going to be discussed at the meeting but we are extremely concerned about the future of both units."

Campaigners are hoping the PCT will give them at least two years to prove the units are viable and could actually save the PCT cash. Birth rates at Malmesbury have risen more than 50 per cent compared to last year.

The Gazette's petition calling for both units to be saved was signed by 9,790 people and campaigners took it to the Houses of Parliament on March 29.

The Department of Health has refused to get involved and has sent the petition back to the trust.