A MENTAL health care crisis in the area has been temporarily averted after a doctor was found to cover Charter House unit at Trowbridge Hospital.

As reported in last week's Wiltshire Times, the 27-bed unit had been forced to turn mentally ill patients away after failing to find enough medical cover.

But Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Trust said it has now secured the services of a locum.

The doctor joined the team on December 17 and the unit is now fully operational, with patients being re-admitted.

Spokesperson Annmarie Carlen said: "We anticipate the locum will remain with the team for the foreseeable future, but the trust is also exploring other options and has been in contact with the four GP practices in Trowbridge.

"Charter House is a key part of local mental health care and the trust is fully committed to continuing to provide this highly valued local service."

An Alzheimer's sufferer who was denied care last week has now been admitted into the unit.

Phyllis Styles, 74, from Bradford on Avon, was turned away last week but has now been admitted.

Mrs Styles was due to visit the hospital for day care on Monday but she was told to bring some clothes with her so she could stay for a week's respite care.

Her husband, Dennis said: "We were absolutely delighted.

"The nurse told us they had managed to find some doctors and now they could take my wife.

"She normally has two weeks of care but I'm not complaining as I've been able to do all the housework and Christmas shopping."

Mrs Styles will return home on Christmas Eve but Mr Styles is still worried about the care his wife may receive in the future.

He said: "I am supposed to be having a hip operation soon and the staff at Charter House did tell me my wife could stay while I was in hospital, but we are not sure what will happen now."

Meanwhile mental health care across the region could be hit by frther cuts, claim staff.

A hospital insider said four beds could close at Savernake Hospital in Marlborough, while Chantry House in Frome is expected to close in March because of staff shortages.

The nurse said: "We have been told that Chantry House is going to close in two weeks for exactly the same reasons as Charter House.

"Staff here are really worried about their jobs as untrained staff look as though they will get the sack and others could be made redundant."