16000A CROWD of angry pensioners took to the streets of Westbury on Saturday to demand a second doctors' surgery for the town.

Up to 40 people marched repeatedly over the pedestrian crossing outside Westbury police station in a short, sharp protest at 11am.

Campaigners say with a population of over 16,000 Westbury desperately needs a second doctors' practice to ease the increasing pressure on Eastleigh Surgery. But West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust says the town will not need any more GPs until 2010.

Protest organiser and town councillor Charlie Finbow said: "The march went very well. We only organised it because of the strength of public opinion expressed to us.

"The thing that I found surprising was the number of people there were. I was also quite surprised at the strength of their anger.

"It's the start and not the end of our campaign for a second doctors' surgery. A petition will be going round all the local shops and we'll be following it up by another march."

Cllr Finbow said Leigh Park was the ideal location for a second surgery and claimed new staff recently introduced at Eastleigh were merely replacing those who had left.

He said: "We've made our point, it was short and to the point. Nobody's doubting the quality of Eastleigh Surgery, but I can understand them liking the situation because they've got a monopoly.

"One old lady said 'the PCT think we are off our marbles'. She was told there's no need for another surgery because there are as many people moving out of Westbury as are moving in."

The PCT said it had to demonstrate a real and not a perceived need for a second surgery and census data suggested two new GPs would be required in 2010.

A spokesman said: "The PCT fully appreciates some of the residents of Westbury would like to have a second practice and, as soon as this is feasible in terms of population growth and demand, we will re-enter the discussion.

"The PCT is also fully aware that Eastleigh Surgery went through a difficult time internally with a very stretched service. This, we understand, was due to a shortage of staff, especially GPs, brought on by retirement and resignation of partners and salaried GPs.

"We have been assured by the practice that they are doing all they can to address this and have recruited GPs."

On Monday the Minor Injuries Unit at Eastleigh returned to its usual opening hours of 8am-7pm Monday-Friday, following an extension of hours during the closure of the unit at Warminster hospital.