PROPOSALS on the future of Devizes Hospital will not be published until next June. The results of a strategic review by Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust were expected to be revealed in December followed by public consultation, with a decision being made at the end of March.

But the trusts' new joint chief executive Carol Clarke has widened the scope of the review.

Campaigners fear the review will lead to some community hospitals closing. Mrs Clarke said she wanted the review to look at more than just the nine community hospitals.

She said: "It is clear to me that both PCTs have to consider the totality of the money they spend. We are in danger of simply looking at the issues of the hospitals in isolation. That is inappropriate.

"There were a number of concerns about the original timescale."

Mrs Clarke said the review will include examining the trust's commissioning budget to understand what services they buy from other hospitals and trusts. She also said she wanted to consult staff.

"By June next year we will have a set of proposals that we can go out to consult on which will be the summary of several strands of work."