MAJOR improvements to Wellington's Cottage Hospital moved a step closer this week as health chiefs backed plans for extra beds and better outpatient care.

As reported in the Somerset County Gazette, Taunton Deane Primary Care Trust wants to shake up its care services for older people and a wide-ranging consultation process on the plans ends tomorrow (Saturday).

If realised, the proposals would see an increased range of outpatient clinics and other hospital services run from the upper floor of Wellington Cottage Hospital, as the beds would move to the nearby Stratfield House.

The Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust, which runs Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, has backed the proposals.

The trust's response says the changes appear to be "a practical way forward", and adds: "We would welcome further discussion over any extension to the range of existing consultant or nurse-led outpatient clinic provided by staff from Taunton and Somerset."

Better and wider-ranging outpatient clinics would mean fewer patients facing the inconvenience of travelling to Musgrove where they face legendary parking problems.

Town council chairman Ross Henley said: "It would be good if people didn't have to travel to Taunton - we need better facilities in Wellington. Our main concerns on the project as a whole are that we don't lose bed space - we'll have to wait and see."

For the full story, see the Wellington edition of this week's (January 30) Somerset County Gazette.