COMMUNITY hospitals in west Wiltshire could disappear within five years after health bosses refused to guarantee their long-term future.

Speaking to a seminar of district councillors on Thursday night the new chief executive of West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust doubted the prospect of the hospitals staying open.

New health boss Stephen Golledge also admitted the trust was broke and is looking to merge management with neighbouring health authorities.

The news has rocked many campaigners who are fighting for the long-term future of health care after the closure of wards at Warminster, Bradford on Avon and Westbury.

Mr Golledge said: "In five years' time community hospitals won't be doing what they are doing now and I can't guarantee they will all be there.

"But I would find it hard to believe we could close anything without the support of the staff and local people.

"We have to take each of the hospitals in turn and come up with an answer about what can be done with them and how they can become a better resource."

Mr Golledge took control of the Primary Care Trust two weeks ago and has promised to build relationships with patients and doctors after a contract dispute led to the closure of the inpatient ward at Warminster.

But he has also promised to reduce the trust's reliance on Bath's Royal United Hospital, which sees patients in west Wiltshire forking out cash to pay off spiralling hospital debts.

He said: "I'm not going to pretend, this PCT is broke. We are spending beyond our means and need to engage with local GPs to work through to find out how to get a balance.

"This is a huge challenge to primary care trusts but we need some time to do this and not make knee-jerk reactions and short term decisions that don't make sense in years to come. Now we have to get over the reliance we have with Bath RUH."

The lack of guarantees on the future of community hospitals has been called 'disturbing' but other health experts believe it is a more realistic move.

Trowbridge town and district councillor Jeff Osborn said: "The community hospitals are more than just hospitals, they are part of the social fabric of each town.

"It is disturbing and to close a hospital down would take away a crucial element out of the towns."

District councillor Michael Mound, portfolio holder for health, said: "We cannot live in cloud cuckoo land believing money will be handed out to community hospitals.

"We must sit down with the PCT and make sure what we all want is put into place. Often the bricks and mortar are not the most important things but it is the services provided."

We want your questions to put to Stephen Golledge for a one-to-one with the Wiltshire Times. Please email your questions to mattwilkinson@newswilts.co.uk or send them to Wiltshire Times, 15 Duke Street, Trowbridge BA14 8EF or call (01225) 352482. All questions must reach us by May 3 and must include your name and address. We will not be able to accept anonymous questions.