MELKSHAM: WEEKS of uncertainty about medical cover at Melksham Hospital have led to fears about its long-term future.

West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust last week announced that GP cover for the wards had been agreed but it has since emerged that no contract has been signed.

Town councillor Sarah Cardy said: "It is unsettling for patients and staff because there are rumours flying which makes it difficult, especially when you or your relative is ill."

PCT spokesman Debbie Pugh-Jones said doctors in the town have agreed to provide cover until a new contract can be worked out but there are no guarantees that will happen.

She said: "We have written reassurance that Melksham will not be left high and dry. We are negotiating proper contracts and we have cover in place while we do that.

"We can't say for sure whether the contract will be agreed but we are hopeful it will be signed. We are in positive negotiations with the doctors."

The PCT is negotiating with doctors from the Giffords Partnership and Spa Medical practice to try and work out a new contract to cover the in-patient and minor injuries unit.

The main worry among people living in the town is that the hospital would have to close to new patients and that this may be the first step towards total closure. The decision was made in 2002 to temporarily close the minor injuries unit overnight but, after a review carried out by the PCT showed it was only used by two or three patients a night, the decision was made not to reopen it.

District councillor Jeff Osborn has requested an emergency council meeting to discuss the situation with regard to the hospitals in all five west Wiltshire towns.

He said: "All the hospitals, excluding Trowbridge, have problems and I say perhaps this whole thing is a cunning plot to close down the rest of the hospitals and concentrate on Trowbridge."

The PCT this week denied any plans to close Melksham hospital.