DEVIZES MP Michael Ancram has pledged to do what he can to get the Health Secretary Alan Milburn to intervene if the proposed new health facility in Devizes does not provide basic services such as hospital beds, a maternity unit and minor injuries unit.

Mr Ancram wrote to Mr Milburn in March asking him to intervene to ensure that Devizes gets a new hospital on the Green Lane site.

He received a reply last week from Health Minister John Hutton who said decisions about health care were best made locally.

But he went on to say: "In the event of insoluble disagreement locally, or Community Health Council referral, final decisions would need to be made by ministers. As this is the case I think it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment now."

Mr Ancram told the Gazette: "I am very disappointed by this reply. Once again the Secretary of State is breaking with convention and not replying personally. It is ducking the issue.

"It refers to insoluble disagreement locally, whatever that may mean.

"I will take it to mean that if the local community, the councillors and the MP disagree with proposals offering less than a genuine new hospital, the matter will be referred to ministers. I intend to proceed on that basis."

l Tony Duck and Pat Rugg, members of the campaign group, Devizes Action to Save Our Hospital, visited a new community hospital and care centre in Ledbury, Herefordshire, last Thursday.

It is operated under a Public/Private Partnership agreement between SHAW, a charity, and the local primary health care trust.

The hospital has in-patient beds, out-patient clinics, a physiotherapy suite, a 24-hour minor injury unit, and X-ray unit open on two days.

There is also a GP surgery on the site, a NHS dentist, a pharmacy and a care home with nursing home beds.

The new hospital and care centre replaced an ageing hospital in Ledbury and following initial concern local people backed the scheme.

The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has indicated that the Ledbury scheme is innovative and its model of care is being considered for Devizes.