THE future of several outpatient clinics at the proposed new hospital in Devizes hangs on securing a diagnostic and treatment centre.

Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust wants the centre to be based at the proposed new hospital in Green Lane, Devizes, but West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust wants a centre based at Melksham Hospital.

A decision on which town would get the centre was expected to have been made months ago, but because of the lack of a permanent chief executive at Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT and with the impending departure of Donna Stiles as chief executive of West Wiltshire PCT, discussions have stalled.

What is even more unclear is how the decision on where the centre will be based will be made, as a joint chief executive for both trusts is to be appointed.

The future of consultant outpatient clinics at Devizes, Chippenham and Malmesbury hospitals was discussed at a public meeting held in Devizes Corn Exchange on March 3 by the Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT.

The majority of clinics are to remain at Devizes and Chippenham and be improved, while at Malmesbury only eight clinics are set to remain out of the 27 presently provided.

Clinics which are set to move include dermatology from Devizes to Chippenham, and in the short term gastroenterology clinics have moved from Chippenham to Malmesbury.

Arthur Belbin, acting assistant director of acute commissioning at the trust, said the changes were being proposed to improve efficiency by consultants working out of the Royal United Hospital, Bath, as well as consultants from the Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

He said it was hoped the changes would result in more clinics being provided locally and Devizes and Chippenham would be the two main hospitals for outpatient clinics with hi-tech equipment.

When pressed if Devizes Hospital would retain X-ray services, Mr Belbin said: "I can't guarantee anything. Some specialities are dependent on X-ray. Clinics such as orthopaedics, urology, gynaecology and gastroenterology are dependent on the diagnostic and treatment centre.

"The intention is to provide X-ray at Devizes but we don't know yet where the new diagnostic and treatment centre will be. We would hope within the next three months to have a steer on it."

Chris Carver of Devizes and Marlborough Friends of the Earth said some people living in rural areas did not have access to transport to get to hospital appointments and urged the trust to get advice on transport from experts.

Mr Belbin said: "Choice may be limited for some people at the moment to attend outpatient clinics. We want to make services as local as possible where it is appropriate. While some clinics may move we are looking to enhance other clinics so patients don't have to go into the district general hospitals."