Campaigners against community hospital cuts have accused Health Secretary Frank Dobson of "sheer bad manners" in his dealings with them.

Representatives from West Oxfordshire District Council, which is backing the campaign against the closure of Burford Community Hospital and the loss of beds at Witney and Chipping Norton, wrote to Mr Dobson during the summer to request a meeting. with a delegation including leader Tony Walker and Witney MP Shaun Woodward.

Councillor Julian Copper recently asked council leader Tony Walker if there was any news from the Department of Health.

Council chief executive Geoff Bonner said: "We have been pressing for a meeting with Mr Dobson through our local MP, Shaun Woodward, with no success.

"We understand he will not be meeting any delegations on the hospital bed closures." Council leader Tony Walker said: "We have not even had an acknowledgement of the request, which I regard as sheer bad manners."

Cllr Keith Davies, who is a member of the Save Burford Hospital Campaign, said: "The Save Burford Hospital Campaign has been extremely active in chasing the minister for communication but like everyone else, we have met with a singular lack of response, which is to be deplored."

Cllr Tom Smith suggested trying to enlist support from Home Secretary Jack Straw, who has a cottage in Minster Lovell.

Cllr Smith said: "He lives some of the time in the district. I would hope he would give us some support in getting through to Mr Dobson."

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