A surgeon has told of his shock after being made redundant due to cutbacks at hospitals in Oxfordshire.

Up to 200 staff at city hospitals are likely to lose their jobs over the next few months as part of plans by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust to reduce a projected deficit of £33m.

Simon Cole is one of two gastrointestinal surgeons at the John Radcliffe Hospital, who have been given three months' notice, due to a reduction in gastrointestinal procedures, including hernia operations.

It is believed they are the first surgeons to lose their jobs as a result of the health crisis in parts of the country.

Mr Cole said: "I'm deeply shocked and upset to hear that my post is to be made redundant. I'm particularly concerned about the implications this will have for patients. I have been working as a consultant surgeon for two years and before that spent over 15 years in training.

"I hope that the trust will reconsider its decision."

Yesterday, the British Medical Association warned doctors could be made redundant at 20 NHS hospital trusts across the country.