CAMPAIGNERS believe they have won the battle to keep Malmesbury Hospital open.

It was feared the hospital would close and become little more than a glorified old people's home and doctors' surgery but plans just released show it will become a flagship development.

Health bosses performed their U-turn amid mounting condemnation from campaigners in the town.

Proposals published by Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust show it has caved into public pressure and pledged to build Malmesbury a new hospital by 2005.

There was widespread outrage in the town last month when the PCT unveiled plans to reduce services in Malmesbury to a GP surgery, health centre and glorified nursing home in a bid to cut its £10 million deficit.

But the PCT has now said it will provide eight to ten intermediate care beds, a reduction on the current figure of 19, a nurse-led minor injuries unit during working hours, a GP surgery and a 50-bed nursing home in new buildings on one location.

Trust chief executive Barbara Smith said there are a number of locations the hospital could be placed.

Former mayor of Malmesbury John Bowen, who has led a group of practitioners and politicians in talks with the PCT, said he was very happy with the revised proposals, which are due to be ratified at a PCT board meeting to be held today.

"We are absolutely delighted with the proposals," he said.

"I think this is a very positive indication of how Malmesbury can work together as a community with a wonderful contribution from the doctors, patient participation group, the league of friends and nurses and care workers as well as a terrific number of individuals.

"We hope the board ratifies these proposals so they can be made into reality and secure the future of health care in Malmesbury for the foreseeable future."

Mrs Smith would not reveal the locations but they are widely believed to be at the current site at Burton Hill, on Wiltshire County Council land at Filands, or on land the PCT owns behind Silveston Way on the Sherston Road.

As well as the retaining some of the beds currently in the Abbey Ward the PCT plans to spend £1.53 million improving 24-hour care in the community.

The PCT wants to target the 30 per cent of patients it says could be treated at home but are still cared for in community hospitals.

Robin Clark, chairman of Malmesbury Hospital League of Friends, said he supports the proposals, particularly to address the massive need for a nursing home.

But he is worried that there will not be the staff to adequately cover a 24-hour home care system.

He said: "They reduced the minor injury unit hours because the couldn't get the nurses, where are they going to get the nurses for care in the home now?"

Mrs Smith said it will be a challenge for the PCT to recruit and train nurses to provide the 24-hour cover but added that there would not be a reduction in beds in Malmesbury until there is an alternative in place.

Day surgery at Malmesbury is still under review but it is likely the bulk of procedures will be conducted at a new day surgery unit to be constructed in Devizes.

Minor injuries will be covered from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday at a nurse-led unit in Malmesbury, supported by GPs.

Chippenham Community Hospital will provide minor injury cover 24 hours a day.

The PCT is still undecided about whether it will be possible to retain X-ray provision at the hospital.

The future of the award winning maternity unit is also still under threat.

The PCT said it will be conducting a survey of mothers across the region next month to see if the unit can be expanded to cover areas such as Wootton Bassett and Cricklade. A decision is expected at a board meeting in July.

Not everybody feels as secure in the future of Malmesbury Hospital.

Barry Snell (below), of Bristol Road, Luckington, said he will bedressing up as Diana Dors and holding a vintage American car rally at the Holford Arms in Knockdown on June 1 to raise money to keep the hospital and maternity unit open.

"I feel very strongly about this. Two of my children were born at Malmesbury maternity unit and it would be a kick in the teeth if we lost any services," he said.