The Trust's chief executive apologised for the closure
|
A row over GP contracts has closed an in-patient ward at a Wiltshire hospital for a month.
The ward at Warminster Hospital closes on Thursday and is expected to reopen on 26 April with alternative GP ward cover from doctors in Trowbridge.
The future of a minor injury unit that is expected to be transferred to Eastleigh Surgery in Westbury is still under negotiation.
The ward closed after supervising GPs did not renew their contracts.
Demonstration
The move followed a proposed change in arrangements for out-of-hours cover.
Wiltshire Primary Health Care Trust (PCT) has been seeking alternative cover since notice was given by the GPs at The Avenue surgery in Warminster.
Shiena Bowen, chair of the PCT, told the BBC: "We are pleased to announce that it will reopen. And sorry that it isn't soon enough to prevent the closure."
A total of 20 patients have been moved from the ward and affected by the closure.
On Wednesday, between 300 and 400 Warminster residents demonstrated against the hospital's policy.
One-Minute World News
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
