PEOPLE in the Marlborough area who use the present Savernake Hospital will probably not believe the reality of a new hospital until the foundations are finally laid.

Over the years the services at Savernake have gradually been eroded by a succession of health trusts.

What was once an independent cottage hospital with a full range of services including maternity and surgery has been reduced largely to a geriatric unit.

The hospital, however, was fortunate to retain an excellent minor injuries unit and a day care hospital with physiotherapy facilities.

Savernake is regarded as the community hospital for a wide rural area including Marlborough and Pewsey, and under proposals by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, greater emphasis will be placed on the hospital in the future for specialist care with patients coming from a wider area of Kennet.

Over the years there has been considerable fundraising to buy equipment for Savernake. The present buildings were built as the result of public subscription.

In recent years there has been growing concern for the future of the hospital.

There was a feeling of almost disbelief when the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust recently confirmed that the proposed new hospital at Savernake would go ahead subject to funding being found.

Surplus land at the hospital is currently being advertised with outline permission for homes to raise funding towards the proposed £10 million new hospital.

It is anticipated that a detailed planning application for the new hospital will be submitted during the early summer in preparation for construction work to start in October.

Project manager Peter Williams said it was hoped the new hospital would be open before the end of 2004 when Marlborough has special celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the town receiving its royal charters.

Prince Charles has been invited to visit the town for the celebrations.

It is hoped that he may agree to officially open the new hospital.