FOLLOWING discussions with the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, it is apparent that its current financial shortfall has got to be addressed in this year's ensuing budgets, and if we are not careful the easy option of closing community hospitals and centralising services will seem an increasingly attractive proposition.

It is my belief that to counter this strategy, the Devizes community must wholeheartedly commit to new premises in Green Lane.

The option of upgrading the present hospital is not a valid proposition, for reasons which have been thoroughly argued over the past few months, including lack of flexibility, maintenance costs, inability to attract consultants for clinics etc, because there are no back-up facilities, limited car parking, and a general sense of a run-down property waiting for the end, which is likely to be an old people's home.

This, in turn has led to low staff morale, and difficulties in attracting staff.

A new hospital in Green Lane could perhaps include a private nursing home, but with half of the beds allocated to the National Health Service, a sort of Private Finance Initiative without the delays and extra costs associated with that system.

It could include the health clinic currently in New Park Street. It could include the three general practices in the town. It could include the maternity hospital. It could include dental and chiropody services. It could include a minor injuries unit.

All these projected uses would give added value to the centre which, in turn would bring additional revenue; in addition, multiple use should ensure that additional bus services would be an economic proposition.

Above all, a new hospital would offer greater flexibility in the use of wards and beds, and modern facilities should guarantee more clinics, improve staff morale and attract new staff.

The benefits to the trust are considerable. If the current hospital and clinic remain where they are, the capital values of these two sites cannot be realised, and the Green Lane site will revert to a green field site which will preclude any development.

It is in the best interest of the trust to unlock the capital currently tied up in the existing sites and the only way they can do that is by going to Green Lane which now has a bigger catchment area than our existing hospital.

Supporters of a new health complex at Green Lane need to act now, before it is too late, by writing to the chief executive, Barbara Smith, Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, Pans Lane, Devizes; the prime consideration is to get the trust to agree this policy, after which we can fight for services, bed numbers etc.

The trust should also be reminded that just closing Devizes Hospital is unlikely to make the site available for redevelopment, as the planning authority will insist that facilities are provided elsewhere in the town.

The trust should be aiming to provide additional services and flexible bed use, to take the existing pressure off of Bath's Royal United Hospital and Swindon's Great Western Hospital.

M CAME

Wickfield

Devizes