MALMESBURY has been promised a flagship new hospital in plans revealed by Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust.

The proposals will see a new hospital built on a location yet to be decided, with the addition of a nursing home, a GP surgery and health centre.

And, in a major concession on previous plans, the PCT has said ten intermediate and palliative care beds will be retained.

The PCT had previously said that all 19 of the beds in Malmesbury Hospital's Abbey Ward were to be phased out by 2005.

In addition, the PCT will begin discussion with care providers to build a nursing home on the same site which will cater for a minimum of 50 people.

There will also be provision for out-patient treatments, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and community paediatrics.

These will support out-patient clinics targeting conditions that require low level support and specialist equipment such as diabetes or mental health.

Casualty services will be provided through a nurse-led unit ,with the help on the doctor's surgery on site, and will be open from 9 am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Chippenham Community Hospital will also provide 24-hour minor injury cover and treat specialist out -patient care.

The possibility of providing day surgery in Malmesbury is to be discussed with the district general hospitals, but the bulk of operations are likely to be conducted at a specialist day surgical unit in Devizes.

To cover the reduction in intermediate beds in Malmesbury and to combat the problem of bed blocking, district nursing will be expanded into a 24-hour service to care for people in their homes.

This will include a day care service for older people.

The PCT is still looking into whether it will be either affordable or viable to keep X-ray provision in Malmesbury.

No decision has yet been made on the future of the town's maternity unit.

The PCT is currently assessing the possibility of expanding Malmesbury's maternity unit to cover areas such as Wootton Bassett and Cricklade.

A survey of mothers will be will be conducted across the area next month in a bid to find out what they would prefer and the PCT will make a final decide on the future of the unit at a board meeting in July.