Oxfordshire MPs had a show-down meeting with new Health Secretary Alan Milburn last night urging him to save the county's community hospitals.

Plans to close both Watlington and Burford hospitals, as well as 52 beds at a number of other hospitals across the county, have been backed by Oxfordshire Health Authority as a way of saving £1.5m.

The final decision was left in the Government's hands after the Oxfordshire Community Health Council appealed against the proposals. Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, pointed out that Mr Milburn's predecessor had been nicknamed Dithering Frank Dobson by campaigners for failing to make a decision - and the new man was in danger of becoming known as Miserly Milburn.

Dr Harris said: "The loss of Oxfordshire community hospital beds is wrong clinically and wrong financially since it will lead to increased delays in discharge from acute hospitals, particularly in the context of Government-induced cuts in social services. "Dithering Dobson's delay in deciding has already led to the indefinite closure of 24 beds at Abingdon Hospital. I now fear Miserly Milburn will refuse to provide the extra funding needed.

"It is no good simply vetoing this bed-closure plan without providing extra funds because the cuts would have to be made elsewhere and would be just as damaging." Oxfordshire's four Tory MPs - Robert Jackson, Shaun Woodward, Tony Baldry and Michael Heseltine - were also at the meeting.

Mr Milburn gave no clue when he might make a decision.

An event protesting against the planned closures will be held in Abingdon's Market Place, between 10am and 2pm tomorrow.

Story date: Friday 29 October

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