WILLITON'S community hospital looks set for a more secure future after health chiefs announced a £250,000 investment in the facility.

Although Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has consistently denied any suggestion of closure, the decision to cut the number of beds at the unit by more than half a year ago sparked concern locally.

Now the trust has revealed that a major revamp will be completed within months.

The plans will be officially unveiled at the hospital's league of friends annual meeting on November 12.

The league has been at the forefront of a campaign to keep facilities at the hospital and this week secretary Barbara Heywood said the organisation was now happy with the outcome.

"We had reached the conclusion we would not get the beds back but we have had several meetings with the trust and we are pleased with the plans they have now come up with," she said.

"It will bring the whole building up to date, which is really good news."

The hospital's Brendon ward was closed last November, reducing the number of overall beds from 45 to 20.

But the improvement scheme will see all the remaining inpatient beds - including those for stroke patients - relocated to a revamped and refurbished Brendon ward.

Bathroom and toilet facilities will be significantly enhanced, with all bays having ensuite facilities, increasing privacy and dignity for patients.

The existing stroke unit - Dunkery ward - will be closed and converted to provide additional facilities and offices, with the hospital becoming a new base for the community health services team in the Williton area.

The investment - which will be funded by NHS Somerset which owns the building - will also see the creation of a dedicated ambulatory care bay.

This 'care in a chair' provision will deliver treatment to patients usually lasting just a few hours, such as blood transfusions, and will remove the pressure on the bed stock.

Significantly, the plans will see the enhancement of Grace's Room, which has also been closed since last year and which provided overnight accommodation for families of terminally ill patients.

In addition, relatives will benefit from a new quiet room where they can stay, and which can also be used for meetings.

Rehabilitation facilities will also be enhanced and the league of friends - which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the hospital over the years - has pledged to 'gold plate' some of the new facilities, such as providing furnishings and equipment.

Somerset Partnership Trust's director of community services Judith Brown said the organisation was delighted to have been able to work with NHS Somerset, staff and the league of friends to develop the proposals.

"They reflect our commitment to deliver modern day community based health care for the people of Williton and beyond."

Mrs Brown said it was anticipated the work would be completed by April next year and that there would be minimal disruption during the development process.

Meanwhile, the league of friends is hoping as many people as possible will attend its annual meeting, where the plans will be unveiled.

Two representatives of the trust are expected to attend to talk about the changes.

Mrs Heywood said: "This is an open meeting and we want people locally to know what is happening.

"The trust representatives will be explaining everything so the more people who come along, the better."

The meeting will take place at the hospital, with tea and biscuits available from 2pm and the business getting underway at 2.30pm.