PEOPLE with suspected heart problems are now able to use a new service at Devizes, Chippenham and Malmesbury hospitals rather than travel to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Local clinics have been set up following the purchase of a mobile echocardiography machine. The £15,000 machine uses ultrasound waves to produce an image of the heart as it is working.

The image and other readings enable the clinician to make an assessment of how well the heart is functioning. The clinics will benefit about 460 people a year. Previously, patients had to travel to hospitals in Bath, Swindon or Salisbury. But patients with more complex problems will still need to go to the RUH.

North Wiltshire and Devizes Primary Care Group bought the machine and the clinics are run by Dr Huw Williams of Adcroft Surgery, Trowbridge.

Malmesbury GP Dr John Pettit, who is the Primary Care Group's GP lead on coronary heart disease, said: "We are extremely pleased we have been able to secure the services of Dr Williams and offer this service to our local people. "The service is already provided to patients in the West Wiltshire area and is proving to be a great success. Echocardiography is essential in the diagnosis of heart failure which is very difficult to diagnose.

"In order to ensure that patients receive the treatment they need we have to identify those at risk of heart failure and offer them a full assessment and investigations. This service will enable us to do that in a local setting."

Clinics have started at Chippenham and Malmesbury and the first clinic session starts at Devizes Hospital today.