SIX months after rej ecting the former Corus site at Ebbw Vale as a potential location for a community hospital, health bosses have changed their minds.

A 20-acre plot near the tin plate works' West Gate is now considered the best option for the 115-bed Blaenau Gwent community hospital, in stead of the original choice of land next to the town's Ysbyty'r Tri Chwm.

However, that site could still eventually be picked as the best option, if guarantees on delivery of a site fit for the multi-million pound hospital are not met by Corus, or if changes to the cost of building it there make it more expensive.

The latest twist in a complicated saga will leave potential patients scratching their heads over where future treatment and care might be provided.

The decision to go with Corus was made by Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board on Tuesday- a U-turn on a resolution it made last July.

Land next to Ysbyty'r Tri Chwm, on College Road, Ebbw Vale, was preferred then to a site earmarked on the Corus site regeneration masterplan. Health chiefs considered the latter unsuitable for a hospital.

Blaenau Gwent borough council wanted the hospital built at the Corus site but, despite health chiefs' concerns being known for months, no alternative location at Corus was suggested.

Two months after the July decision, however, the council suggested an alternative plot on the Corus site - the West Gate option.

Much work has still to be done to reclaim the steelworks site but securing the hospital project would be a potentially massive boost to regeneration proposals.

The council also claimed the hospital could be built more quickly and cheaply at Corus, as the Ysbyty'r Tri Chwm option involved replacing playing fields.

Health chiefs remained sceptical, but they committed to a site assessment.

The Corus West Gate option scored marginally higher than Ysbyty'r Tri Chwm, and is cheaper - £35m compared to £37m.

As reclamation and other site issues have not been finalised, however, the Corus option might still be dis counted if circumstances have changed when a full business case for the hospital is sent to the Ass embly for approval.