THE campaign for a second doctors' surgery in Westbury took a fresh twist this week after health bosses were accused of getting their sums wrong.

West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust says Westbury will not need any more GPs until 2010 and will only re-enter discussions for a new surgery when population growth makes one feasible.

It also claims doctors at Eastleigh Surgery currently have 1,675 patients each, meaning it is close to recommended levels.

Campaigners say the town's 16,898 population needs a second surgery now because Eastleigh is overstretched and have questioned the accuracy of the figures.

Westbury town councillor Russell Hawker said: "On my sums, the existing patient list per doctor of 1,675 means that the eight doctors at Eastleigh Surgery are currently serving only 13,400 or 79 per cent of residents in the area.

"The other 3,498 or 21 per cent must either never use a doctor or register in other towns. Why?"

Cllr Hawker said another two GPs were needed immediately and a third would be required to serve the 450 more homes planned for Westbury in the next three years.

He said: "If the PCT starts planning for three more doctors now, then by the time a new surgery is built and doctors with staff are in place, we'll need all three straight away to serve the Westbury area properly.

"And, we'll probably be talking about a fourth doctor being needed soon after."