An MP is threatening court action unless Health Secretary Frank Dobson meets him to discuss sweeping changes to Oxfordshire's community hospitals.

North Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry says he is fed up with delays by Mr Dobson in setting a date for a meeting to talk about closing community hospitals at Watlington and Burford, cutting beds at four others and building a new hospital in Bicester. Oxfordshire health chiefs have asked Mr Dobson to approve cost-cutting plans to shut two hospitals, and axe beds at Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage and Witney to save cash.

As reported in the Oxford Mail, community hospitals bosses were forced to close 14 beds at Abingdon, Watlington and Didcot on Monday because uncertainty over the future means they cannot recruit staff.

Mr Baldry wrote to Mr Dobson saying that as different Oxfordshire MPs had competing claims over the community hospital shake-up, he should see them all. So far Mr Dobson has seen only South Oxfordshire MP Michael Heseltine.

Mr Baldry said that, despite several attempts, his secretary had been unable to arrange a meeting.

A health department spokesman said Mr Dobson was very busy and would arrange to meet MPs when there was a "suitable slot" in his diary.

But Mr Baldry commented: "Mr Dobson is dragging his feet." And the barrister-turned-MP warned he was prepared to take legal action to force a review if Mr Dobson made a decision without agreeing to meet him.

"Given the sensitivity of the issue, if there is any suspicion that this matter has not been dealt with in accordance with the general rules of natural justice, I shall have no hesitation in personally taking the matter to court for a judicial review," he said.

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