DEVIZES MP Claire Perry says the town’s hospital site must either be sold to create funds for health services or be put to better use within the next year.

She said she has been in urgent talks with Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust about the fast-deteriorating site and was confident a decision about its future was close to being reached.

She said: “The hospital site is in danger of falling into very bad repair and becoming an eyesore for the town in the same way the Assize Courts building is on the other side of Devizes.

“We must not allow that to happen and I have said the building must either be sold so its assets can be realised and the money spent on health services in the town or the site itself must be used to its full potential.”

Campaigners have been trying to get a decision about the hospital since the maternity unit closed in June 2007 and other services were removed.

In October, pressure group Devizes Health Matters joined forces with Devizes Community Area Partnership to fight for better services in the town.

Judy Rose, co-ordinator of DHM, said: “Lack of health services has been a huge issue for the Devizes area since the creation of the primary care trust in 2001.”

Mrs Perry said this week: “I am confident there will be good news on the hospital site in the near future. I don’t mind which of the options happens as long as something is done.

“The site is next to the canal and could be ideal for housing, or it could be put to full use for health services. The hospital was paid for by the people of Devizes and the essential thing is they get the value from it.”

A spokesman for the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are involved in on-going discussions. There is an increased need to provide care closer to home which is why we are investing in community services and always looking for ways we can make better use of our community sites to provide more care locally.”