Health union leaders have objected to proposals to reorganise psychology services across Oxfordshire - including a 13 per cent cut in therapy.

The proposed changes will mean a reduction in clinical services, a downgrading of senior staff and reduced access to therapy for patients, claims the Amicus union.

The proposals are promoted as improving access to therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but the union says consultant and senior posts are being reduced by half, so that less qualified staff will be expected to do more complex work.

Terry Edwards, regional officer for Amicus, said: "We are seeing another example of cuts to clinical services, following a national failure to finance pay reforms."

Sarah Hills, a spokesman for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, which is based in Littlemore, Oxford, said: "We are in regular discussion with the staff affected by the proposed improvements.

"These improvements will not result in lesser qualified staff being forced to do more complex work and will, in fact, allow senior clinicians to spend more time on patient contact and less time on management activities."