BLUEPRINTS outlining sweeping changes to health services in north Wiltshire are pointing towards the creation of a 24-hour emergency care centre in Chippenham.

Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT released their action plan this week after months of consultation.

The emergency centre proposal is one of a number of changes to the face of healthcare in the district.

Under the plan Chippenham Community Hospital will be retained for 43 intensive rehabilitation beds, 20 stroke unit beds, and 16 beds for elderly mental health patients.

The plan also tackles the problem of how the PCT will claw back a £10m deficit.

A new centre of excellence in Devizes, a community hospital in Savernake and a combined community hospital and primary care centre in Malmesbury are also in the pipeline.