POTENTIAL cutbacks to services at the Horton Hospital, Banbury, have been revealed by a former consultant.

The new closures mooted by Dr Peter Fisher include the ending of night-time emergency surgery, and a reduction in micro-biology services.

Dr Fisher said on Tuesday, that colleagues still employed in the health services had alerted him to the dangers. But Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust denied there were plans to stop emergency surgery at the Horton.

He said the new cuts could have serious consenquences to accident and other injury victims who would have to be ambulanced to Oxford, and in the control of infectious diseases such as MRSA.

It could be another blow to the Horton where other services, including paediatrics, maternity, ostetrics, and gynaecology, are already under threat.

On emergency operations, Dr Fisher said: "We have always believed that accident and emergency work would continue at the Horton, but this is now in doubt.

"It has become clear that in the future, emergency surgery will not be done outside of office hours."

No date has been given, but the change could occur later this year. Dr Fisher said: "This is a serious situation. Surgeons at the Horton have always been involved with emergency medical admissions, day and night, in case operations were needed. Now, without night-time surgical cover, medical emergency cases will go straight to Oxford."

Night-time accident victims could face longer ambulance journeys before receiving treatment.

Dr Fisher also revealed that the future of the Horton's micro-biology department was uncertain.

He said the existing micro-biologist, who had been at the Horton for 15 years, was retiring, but no replacement was being appointed.

Dr Fisher said: "The position will be covered on a part-time basis with a registrar coming from Oxford for several days a week. The fact that the job is not being advertised means there must be a doubt over the department's future."

A micro-biologist deals with infectious diseases. He or she analyses samples taken from patients, advises doctors on suitable anti-biotics, and is head of the 'keep the hospital clean' team.

Dr Fisher said: "A micro-biologist is the person who keeps the hospital free of infection such as MRSA." George Parish, chairman of the 'Keep the Horton General' action group which is fighting to prevent the Horton being downgraded, said: "We must let Oxford's health bosses know that we will not accept any closures or cutbacks. We must tell them in no uncertain terms that we need a fully-serviced general hospital in Banbury."

Oliver Francis, spokesman for the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust, said there were no plans to stop emergency surgery at the Horton.

He said: "We cannot make changes without full consultation."