The Government's new Health Secretary is being urged to end the dithering over the future of community hospitals in Oxfordshire, writes David Horne.

The appeals have come from Witney MP Shaun Woodward, anxious for a decision on the threatened Burford Hospital, and Wantage Liberal Democrat spokesman Neil Fawcett.

Both are saying it is "make your mind up time" to the new Health Secretary Alan Milburn, appointed yesterday to take over from Frank Dobson who is now running for Mayor of London. It is more than a year since Oxfordshire Health Authority decided to cut beds and close Burford and Watlington hospitals.

After intense local opposition, Mr Dobson had failed to a final decision. So Mr Woodward has written to Mr Milburn, the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, telling him: "Residents have been kept in the dark for 20 months now.

"It is disgraceful that Labour has deemed it acceptable for the threat of closure to hang over the hospital for so long. "Burford Hospital is an important centre for the community. I hope that Mr Milburn will realise how much the hospital means to the local community."

Mr Fawcett said: "Our local hospitals and beds should stay open. If necessary, the Government should find whatever money is needed."

The Department of Health refused to comment on when a decision would be made.

Story date: Tuesday 12 October

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