HAVING read the article in last week’s Gazette about the local health shake-up, I see that once again we are going to have cuts made to the healthcare provided at several hospitals in Wiltshire.

What needs to be provided is more use of the existing facilities at Chippenham and other hospitals in the area.

There used to be beds for use by patients recuperating from the major hospitals.

These are all now gone in the name of improving the care provision for patients and at Chippenham Community Hospital the wards have been converted to offices.

I do not know if Wiltshire Commissioning Group is going to have a public meeting but, having been to previous meetings, it’s obvious that the decisions have already been made on what to close.

This group needs to bear in mind that neither the Royal United Hospital, in Bath, nor Great Western Hospital, in Swindon, have any more capacity to deal with patients nor can any more births currently be provided for by Chippenham and Trowbridge Community Hospitals’ maternity units.

As far as the Chippenham site is concerned, it’s time that the main building and the other closed properties nearby became listed buildings as they might well be demolished, as was the old Greenways Maternity Hospital before it could be listed.

It’s about time the local management board started telling the truth about the changes and not, as usual, being economic with the truth in true political style.

TONY FELLENOR

Farleigh Close

Chippenham