THE recent public meeting in Marlborough about the new Savernake Hospital exposed serious points of concern that funding will not supply the services the public need.

The facts speak for themselves. The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has inherited a part of West Wiltshire, with a proportionate debt of £11m.

Even with possible grants from the state it overshadows the cost of the Savernake Hospital rebuild plans of £5.7m, which will have to be covered in the leasing payments by the PCT .

Yet another public survey confirmed earlier ones, that the public require local services such as maternity, minor surgery, a minor injuries unit, dentistry etc., but the director said they are dependent on funding and services are available elsewhere.

Another vital element was not emphasised, this is the morale of the medical staff so that they stay giving considered care and expertise.

This is based on the ethos of public service, which is undermined by Public Finance Initiatives such as that at Swindon's Great Western Hospital where, contrary to promises, all the staff except doctors and nurses are employed by Carilion, as their uniforms declare and the Carilion parent company owns the hospital.

Many other PFIs have shown excessively large profits within only a few years of a 20-year lease.

The staff are aware of this and are angered because they work for modest salaries.

They are leaving for better posts or early retirement. Public service is going.

Savernake Hospital, as a PFI, is likely to go the same way.

Savernake Hospital was built as a public service funded by subscription. It should be rebuilt likewise and kept in public control.

The population served is 200,000, it could pay for the £9million rebuild and the £11million debt for only £100 per head and own the whole site.

To sell off this marvellous asset is a discreditable choice and, in the long run, very expensive. The public ethos must be maintained.

WILLIAM BURROUGHS

Forestry Houses

Great Bedwyn

Marlborough