Contract row closes hospital ward

In-patient cover will not be provided at Warminster Hospital

A hospital's in-patient ward is to close temporarily following a row over doctors' contracts.

Beds in the ward at Warminster Hospital are usually supervised by GPs who have decided not to renew their contracts.

"Patients are to be provided with alternative care," said a hospital spokesman.

The minor injuries unit will be transferred to Eastleigh Surgery in Westbury, Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has been seeking alternative cover since notice was given by GPs at The Avenue surgery in Warminster.

Assistant Director of Services, Sandy Major said: "This is very regrettable and is despite extensive negotiations taking place.

"We are very sorry that we have had to put these emergency measures in place but we have to put the health of patients first.

"The absence of doctors to cover the ward and minor injuries unit means it is impossible for us to keep them open."

There are currently 20 elderly patients at Warminster Hospital. By the end of March four of these will have gone home on planned discharges.

Those patients not fit to go home will be transferred to other community hospitals in West Wiltshire.