NHS Grampian has insisted there has been no decision to axe the ward at Seafield Hospital in Buckie, but admitted it was considering all of the options.

That, said one of the town's councillors, should be taken as an indication that the closure of the assessment and treatment unit could become a reality.

Concerns over the Muirton Ward facility were raised this week by Councillor Gordon McDonald in reaction to rumours circulating in the coast town.

He said, given the statements made by the health authority, he was more convinced than ever that a vital service could be moved out of Seafield Hospital.

"There is a lot of reading between the lines with their statement. The impression I get is that it is on the radar because all options are being considered.

"I believe they would have been a lot more forthright in their assurances about Muirton if it was definitely not going to close," said Councillor McDonald.

He sought assurances over Muirton from officers at the council's social services committee on Wednesday after being approached by a number of people.

Councillor McDonald said he had received information from private sector users which indicated patients could be moved to Spynie Hospital in Elgin.

Officers said they were unaware of any such plans, but NHS Grampian later announced it was considering a number of options for improving dementia services.

A spokesman for the health board said the unit was for the whole of Moray that the needs of all people living in the area had to be taken into account.

In developing its future plans, it would be using the direction of the Scottish Government in its 'Better Health Better Care' guidelines published in December last year.

"There is increasing emphasis on providing more community based services and NHS Grampian and Moray Council aim to provide the best possible sevices for people in their own home and in health and care settings.

"As plans are developed, a full public consultation process will be used to ensure input from those with an interest in the care of people with dementia and similar requirements.

"These proposals are aimed at helping patients in community hospitals, nursing homes and individuals' homes who suffer dementia, and are in line with the Government's direction to NHS Boards and local authorities to move the balance of care," added the spokesman.

Councillor McDonald said he agreed very much with the sentiments of NHS Grampian about home care, but he was concerned about those requiring hospital care.

He believes those patients should be treated as close to their rural homes as possible, or both the patient and their families could suffer in the longer term.

Dementia, while a condition that required nurses and care staff to undergo specialist training, was not the same specialism as, for example, cancer, which required high-grade consultants, he said.

"If services are consolidated into Elgin, families will have to travel into Elgin for visits. I see this as a depletion of services in the rural areas," said Councillor McDonald.

"We are going to be monitoring the situation. This is something which will affect the whole of Moray and if the time comes, I would urge everyone to make their voice heard."

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