BATTLE plans are being drawn up in the fight to save the doomed community hospitals in west Wiltshire.

Campaigners are still coming to terms with the news that both Trowbridge and Warminster hospitals will be closed under proposals set out by the West Wiltshire and Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trusts in their Pathways for Change consultation document.

There are also concerns that Melksham Hospital will be lost and Chippenham will see a reduction in services. A midwife from Trowbridge Hospital, who did not wish to be named, said staff were still devastated.

"This whole thing has knocked us sideways and we have not been sure where to start but we are certainly making a plan of action," she said. "We are planning to have some meetings to decide what to do next.

"We are all just very worried about the maternity unit closing and how it will affect the mums we support."

The Trowbridge Hospital League of Friends has started a petition and chairman Jeff Osborn said the group was deciding on the next stage in the protest, including hosting a public meeting chaired by west Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison.

UNISON rep Roger Davey said he was determined to do everything he could to protect the hospitals. "We will be organising different events across the county, including demonstrations, petitions and vigils," he said.

"The more people we get at these events and at the public meetings, the more our determination will shine through."

Warminster Hospital League of Friends chairman Richard Vine said the group were meeting tonight to consider the proposals and decide what they would do next. Up to 100 supporters of Westbury Hospital packed into All Saints Church, on Tuesday, for a thanksgiving service for the hospital, which saw its inpatient and outpatient departments close last month.

Vice-chairman of Westbury Hospital League of Friends Erica Watson said she was delighted to see so much support at the service, where the congregation was given the chance to write down their feelings about the hospital. It was announced that Westbury's consultation meeting will now be held at Matravers School, on May 2 after campaigners expressed anger over the original venue West End Baptist Church, which they said was too small.

Concerns were also raised that copies of the consultation document were not available from Westbury library but a spokesman for the PCT said extra copies were distributed on Wednesday. Copies of the document are also available on the PCT website on www.westwiltshirepct.nhs.uk

CONSULTATION MEETINGS

  • Bradford on Avon, St Margaret's Hall: May 4
  • Warminster Assembly Rooms: May 9
  • Melksham Assembly Hall: May 11
  • Trowbridge Civic Hall: May 15
  • Chippenham Neeld Hall: May 16
  • Corsham Town Hall: May 24
  • Box Selwyn Hall: June 6
  • Calne Town Hall: June 7