A health minister has agreed to discuss controversial plans to build a primary care centre instead of a 30-bed community hospital for Bicester.

Bicester MP Tony Baldry wanted the Department of Health to explain why there were no funds to build the hospital.

The meeting will be with Stephen Ladyman, Minister for Community Health, in London on April 12.

Mr Baldry will be accompanied by Ian Inshaw, chairman of the North-East Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust and Labour town, district and county councillor Les Sibley, who led the call for a parish poll over the issue.

People voted overwhelmingly against the primary care centre but the poll was criticised for asking a loaded question and not opening up proper debate.

Mr Inshaw said: "The consultation over our proposal is still ongoing and we will know the results by the time we meet."

Mr Sibley said: "This is the most important issue facing the people of Bicester today. I hope this joint approach will resolve this matter."

While welcoming the meeting, Mr Baldry was critical of the timing, because the meeting would have to be scrapped if -- as expected -- a General Election was called for May 5.

Mr Baldry said: "I am only disappointed that he has not been able to find time in his diary. I will believe that this meeting will take place when it actually happens.

"Ministers are simply not willing to face up to the fact that having promised the people of Bicester a new and enlarged community hospital, they reneged on that deal and subsequently made it impossible for the local health authority and primary care trust to deliver."

Mr Baldry said it was unfair to blame local NHS officials when it was clearly a consequence of decisions made by ministers.

He added: "I have made it clear that if he can see us earlier we will drop everything to fit in with his diary."