HEALTH chiefs have promised no decisions have been made over the future of out-of-hours casualty units in west Wiltshire.

Wiltshire County Councillor Terry Chivers this week accused West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust of breaking promises, by deciding to keep Melksham casualty unit closed permanently at night and concentrating resources on Trowbridge Hospital.

Cllr Chivers called for the resignation of PCT chief executive Donna Stiles and said officials had broken "firm assurances".

Melksham's 24-hour unit was closed at night following a series of staff shortages last year but health chiefs vowed it was temporary.

Cllr Chivers said in a statement: "This is clearly a big blow for health care in the town.

"The trust has clearly gone back on its word. Ms Stiles and her board should resign."

A spokesman for the PCT said no decision had been made on out-of-hours casualty units with the issue still being discussed in an ongoing consultation process.

The PCT is looking to revolutionise health services in west Wiltshire and produced its formal consultation document last year.

A series of public meetings have been held in all five west Wiltshire towns and chief executive Donna Stiles has met with groups and authorities about the proposed changes. Concentrating resources on one out-of-hours casualty unit in Trowbridge Hospital is one of several options under consideration.

But the proposal has met with anger from town leaders in Melksham and Warminster who believe any closure or cutting down of hours will lead to a permanent closure of the units.