A HOSPITAL has closed its doors to new patients this week after an agreement to provide medical cover could not be reached.

West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust made the decision on Wednesday to temporarily bar new admissions to Warminster Hospital after GPs in the town said they would withdraw medical services from April 1.

PCT director of services Hilary Fairfield, said: "We are still in negotiations with other GPs from neighbouring towns to see if they are prepared, and able, to provide this cover.

"We really hope that a solution will be found very soon for the sake of the patients.

"We are very sorry that we have had to take the decision to stop admissions to Warminster Hospital it is the last thing we want to do."

The problems providing cover have arisen from a proposed change in arrangements for out-of-hours cover.

Patients from Warminster will now have to travel to other community hospitals in the area.

Negotiations are also taking place regarding the provision of medical services for the minor injuries unit at the hospital.

For Melksham Hospital, which had faced the same closure threat, the crisis seems to have been averted.

GPs providing cover for inpatient and minor injuries units gave notice they would be withdrawing their services from April 1 but doctors from the Giffords Partnership and Spa Medical Practice have now agreed to take over the provision of cover.

Mrs Fairfield said: "I am really thrilled that the doctors in Melksham have come to our support.

"The new arrangements will provide better continuity of care for patients and help to facilitate team work with the ward staff."

For people in Melksham the news that the hospital will not have to be closed to new admissions comes as a relief but uncertainty remains about its future.

Overnight emergency cover has already been withdrawn, with the minor injuries unit now closed overnight.

The PCT said this closure was due to low demand for the service and difficulties recruiting staff to work nights.

The unit was closed temporarily in 2002 but after a review of the service carried out by the PCT showed only one or two patients were coming into the unit each night the decision was made to close it permanently.

County Councillor Terry Chivers said: "We have already lost our out-of-hours service and many local residents fear for its long term future."