Patients and NHS staff are set to suffer the consequences of a looming cash crisis in Oxfordshire's health service, according to a union representative.

A local Unison leader predicts that plans to save £50m in the county's hospitals, community services and ambulances will have a "negative knock-on effect", and are campaigning for MPs and NHS watchdogs to expose Oxfordshire's true financial picture.

The situation has already prompted Oxford East MP Andrew Smith to question Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt about the financial problems in Oxfordshire.

Paramedics have already suggested they will not be able to pay for extra measures to combat the super-bug MRSA, qualified nurses are being replaced with healthcare assistants and mental health day centres are set to close down.

The budget problems were first reported in the Oxford Mail earlier this week and yesterday, the situation worsened when NHS managers in south Oxfordshire announced they would save £25m by closing 37 community hospital beds.

Chairman of the Oxfordshire Unison health branch Mark Ladbrooke said: "We've been aware for some time of the threat of cuts and we've been trying to get information.

"We've asked the NHS trusts what impact the cuts will have on staff and patients. In some cases we've had no response and others have been extremely unclear.

"I think patients will be at risk. For example, there are serious problems coming up in mental health -- cutting day hospitals will cost patients' lives and cause unbelievable suffering."

Oxfordshire Mental Health Care Trust wants to reduce day hospitals for the elderly from six to two, focusing on patients with the greatest mental health needs.

Under the plan, only the Manzil Way centre in Oxford and Fiennes in Banbury would remain open.

Chief executive Julie Waldron said: "We face some extremely difficult choices."

Other parts of in the NHS are also looking at ways to cut services.

In north Oxfordshire, PCT managers have been left with a £6.3m deficit, and have suggested the shortage will only be met if fewer patients are treated in hospital.

A new scheme called Payment by Results means hospitals can bill PCTs for the exact number of patients they treat, leading to extra charges.

In a board report, North Oxfordshire PCT Partnership finance director Margaret Norgett said: "This position will continue unless activity at NHS trusts can be stemmed.

"We have an almost insuperable challenge to break even."

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said he supported Unison's calls for clear information. He said: "I have asked for a clear explanation of the position."