HOSPITAL campaigners have had their worst fears realised with the news both Trowbridge and Warminster hospitals are to close.

Under the Pathways for Change consultation document, launched by Kennet an north Wiltshire and west Wiltshire today, none of the proposed options for the future of health care in include keeping the two hospitals open.

Over the next 13 weeks members of the public will have the chance to consider three possible ways forward.

Option one would also see the closure of Melksham Hospital while a second proposal is to build a new generation community hospital for west Wiltshire in the town. The third option would keep Melksham Hospital as it is.

Each option also includes the introduction of primary care centres, super surgeries which would offer a range of outpatient services, and neighbourhood teams as the PCT strives to introduce more care for patients in their homes.

Carol Clarke, chief executive of both PCTs, said she was aware the decision to close Trowbridge and Warminster Hospitals would cause controversy but urged people to understand the reasons behind the closures.

"What we have to do is think very carefully about how we spend our money. At the moment a lot of money is spent on maintaining buildings not services," she said.

"Last year only 800 people used Bradford on Avon Hospital at huge cost. Must remember there is a population of 120,000 and we must use our money wisely and not just for the small minority who use existing hospitals."

Mrs Clarke said she could not predict when the hospitals would be closed but said it was likely to happen within the next two years.

She assured patients that vital services would not be taken away until there was something to replace them.