CAMPAIGNERS are outraged by the recent bed closures across the county’s hospitals.

Earlier this week The Oxford Mail revealed that Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) had been forced to close 92 beds because of ‘staffing pressures.’

These beds in addition with the 110 acute beds already closed during phase one of the Oxfordshire Transformation Plan and a further 93 beds that are being blocked by patients medically fit to go home, mean that a total of 295 are now out of action.

Chairman of Keep the Horton General (KTHG) campaign Keith Strangwood said this was the worst time for beds to be closed as we approached a time where there would be ‘immense seasonal pressures on the system.’

He added: “We are hearing very alarming reports from Australia and New Zealand of a virulent flu that has already claimed 73 lives.

“And it is very concerning we will not have the beds and staff required to deal with this winter crisis.”

In March this year chief executive of NHS England Simon Stevens announced tough rules for hospitals concerning bed closures to ensure patient care did not suffer.

Mr Strangwood added: “We lost our consultant led maternity service at the Horton General Hospital due to ‘safety issues’.

“Surely the highly paid executives at the OUHFT should be making sure that all the hospitals within the Trust are safe 24/7. Sounds to me as though they are failing big time.”