Employees at Stracathro Hospital near Brechin said they will oppose the closure of elderly and orthopaedic wards.

BBC Scotland Health Correspondent Abeer Parkes reports on the difficulties at Stracathro.

But their allegations that managers would ultimately seek closure of the Angus hospital have been denied by Tayside NHS Trust.

In an effort to make a �3m saving, managers want to close the elderly and orthopaedic wards and integrate them into other units. They also plan to move the stroke rehabilitation facility to an upgraded ward.

But at a meeting on Monday evening, staff said the amalgamation of specialist units would be a recipe for disaster and a precursor to total closure, which they have had to fight off before

Bruce Stoker: Widespread support

They have organised an action group to challenge the management proposals and called on the Scottish Parliament to intervene.

The action group members said they would also be present at all trust and health board meetings to lobby against the proposals.

And the health union Unison has launched an investigation whether the trust broke Scottish Executive guidelines by failing to consult properly with staff about the changes, which are due to come into effect in six weeks.

Action group co-ordinator Bruce Stoker said: "Stracathro has always given service to the people of Angus and that is backed up by the fact that earlier this year put together a 25,300 signature petition which went to the Scottish Office in support of Stracathro."

Dr McLean: No hidden agenda

Tayside NHS Trust has issued a statement saying bed occupancy levels were too low.

It said the changes will improve service delivery and nursing care and stressed that staff will be offered employment elsewhere in the trust.

Speaking for the trust, Dr Derek McLean said there was no hidden agenda to close the hospital.

He said: "I can certainly sympathise with that view because that is an inevitable interpretation but I think that is not the purpose behind these events at the present time."