Shepton Mallet Town Council has pledged to do all it can to save in-patient hospital beds from closure at the town's community hospital.

Protests are mounting following news that the hospital's 17 beds are threatened with closure under a review by the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to save money. Now the town council has issued a formal invitation to trust chief Edward Colgan to attend the town council meeting on March 6 to explain the situation.

In a letter to Mr Colgan the council states: "We are informed and have received strong concern from the community as to a review which may be taking place into the above much valued facility within our town.

"Unconfirmed information is that it is possible that the in-patient and beds will be removed within the next 18 months. Other services may also be at risk.

"We request further information as to any such proposals that you may have and also to ensure that this council and the wider community are fully informed and included within any consultation and decision making process."

Feelings are running high in the town since news of the closure plans were announced last week (see letters page 28).

While the hospital's 17 beds are under threat, its Minor Injuries Unit (which is open from 8am to 8pm) will remain open.

The hospital's league of friends is urging people to support the fight and stop the loss of the in-patient beds.

They argue that the loss of the beds will cause great hardship for both patients, and relatives and friends – particularly people wishing to visit patients transferred to the big hospitals in Bath and Bristol which have poor public transport links.

Friends' president Major General Ray Pett and chairman Albert Owen were due to meet local GPs last night at the time of going to press.

MP Tessa Munt has pledged to do all she can to help too and has described the proposals to close the in-patient beds as "absolutely barmy".

She said: "The whole point of a community hospital is that it is located in the community and cares for people in its community. It is a proven fact that people recover faster when they receive regular visits in hospital from friends and family, all talking to them and providing encouragement and mental stimulation.

"We all know our public transport services to get to and from the big hospitals are lousy – how on earth are people without cars going to get to see their families in hospitals there?

"There is not going to be any cash savings at all from this proposal if Social Services end up picking up the tabs for more care workers and district nurses running round night and day seeing to people in their own homes when the community hospital is not there any more.Why must it be Shepton that once again loses out?"

The Shepton Mallet Journal has launched a Save Our Beds campaign to help the hospital – if you have a story or views that can add weight to the campaign, and show how important the hospital is to you and yours, we want to hear from you.

Write to The Editor, Shepton Mallet Journal, Southover, Wells, BA5 IUH or email shepton@midsomnews.co.uk.