DEVIZES MP Michael Ancram has urged Health Secretary Alan Milburn to step in and save Devizes Hospital from closure.

Mr Ancram wrote to Mr Milburn on Monday saying he felt betrayed at the apparent U-turn by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust on Devizes Hospital.

The trust is set to publish proposals on the future of Devizes, Malmesbury, Chippenham and Savernake community hospitals on March 31, but it has said it is looking to have one community hospital to support the Royal United Hospital, Bath, and the Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

Local GPs fear Devizes Hospital will be closed and people will have to travel to other towns for services.

The future of the community hospitals is in doubt because the trust needs to reduce its £10million debt.

Mr Ancram said people in Devizes were promised a new hospital some 15 years ago.

In his letter to Mr Milburn, Mr Ancram says: "You will understand the local anger and feelings of betrayal which current speculation has given rise to in Devizes.

"It is an anger which I totally share and a sense of betrayal which I also share given the reassurances I have been given over the last 11 years I have been the local MP."

Mr Ancram signed the Gazette's petition to save Devizes Maternity Unit from closure.

He also met Health Minister Hazel Blears when he found out the extent of the trust's financial problems.

He asked the Minister to consider writing off part of the trust's deficit. He was particularly unhappy that the trust should have to pay towards the debts incurred at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. But Ms Blears refused.

In his letter to Mr Milburn, Mr Ancram says: "I am writing to you to ask you to save proper hospital provision in Devizes including the maternity unit.

"You gave such clear commitments to improving local health provision in the past that I find it incredible that you could preside over the ending of hospital provision. Devizes needs its hospital, its maternity and minor injuries unit, hopefully in modern new premises."