TROWBRIDGE midwifery staff promise a warm welcome to mums from Devizes if their local units are closed in a money-saving scheme.

Trowbridge came out firm favourite to stay open in a recent review of maternity services but mums using units in Devizes and Malmesbury may have to go elsewhere as health bosses look to save money.

The board of West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust gave its backing to the 11-bed unit at Trowbridge at a recent meeting.

West Wilts PCT chairman Shiena Bowen said: "The board has recognised that the maternity unit in Trowbridge, being one of the larger community maternity units, offers a high quality service provided by excellent staff, is much valued by local people and appears to be a good use of our resources."

The review suggested Devizes and Malmesbury units, which both have five beds, could be merged: Devizes with Trowbridge and Malmesbury with Chippenham.

Belinda Dhanowa, clinical manager at Trowbridge maternity unit, said: "Whatever changes there are to the units around Wiltshire there will still be plenty of choice for mums.

"We are looking forward to giving mothers from Devizes the same love, care and attention we give all our mothers.

"We have the staff and the space here so people should not be afraid of change."

Kennet and North Wilts PCT will make a final decision in April on whether to transfer birthing and inpatient postnatal facilities from Devizes to Trowbridge and from Malmesbury to Chippenham.

A three-month consultation period is underway following which a consultation document will be produced outlining alternative ways to provide the services.

Devizes county councillor Pat Rugg said she is worried Trowbridge will not cope with the influx of patients.

She said: "Devizes has the largest house building programme in Kennet and we are preparing to build new schools to cater for the increase in children. How much work would have to be done in Trowbridge Hospital for it to cope with extra women from Devizes?

"A small maternity unit in a new hospital in Devizes would be far less expensive to run."

Devizes midwife Linda Barnes questioned how pregnant women without transport would get to Trowbridge or Chippenham maternity units.

She said: "How will women who go into labour during the night get to Trowbridge or Chippenham? Taxis do not take pregnant women in labour.

"The ambulance service will be stretched."