A HEALTH watchdog has called for more time to discuss cutbacks to services at the Horton Hospital, Banbury.

The Oxfordshire health overview and scrutiny committee made up of county and district councillors says people need longer to consider the issues.

The call has given new hope to campaigners fighting to save the Horton, but the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, which controls the Horton, has not yet responed to the request.

All they would say on Tuesday was: "We have received a letter from the county council and we are giving it serious consideration."

The 'more time' call was made on Friday. Scrutiny committee chairman Dr Peter Skolar said: "The proposals for the Horton, which include transferring maternity and paediatric services to Oxford, have created an enormous amount of concern in Banbury.

"People are worried that the additional travel required to take sick children, babies, and pregnant mothers to Oxford would put lives at risk.

"On the other hand the NHS insists that the changed services would be safe. This committee has to decide whether it supports the proposals, or whether it wants them changed or dropped."

Consultation on the changes began in early June and finishes in early September. The scrutiny committee wants the period extended by three months.

Dr Skolar said his committee felt the public consultation document issued by the trust was inadequate and was concerned that the consultation was taking place when most people were on holiday.

He said: "The consultation paper lacks any sort of risk assessment or proper consideration of the merits of the proposals. There was little reference to the ambulance service, which would play a vital role in making the new service work."

"We're well aware of the difficulties the NHS faces in Oxfordshire due to the inadequacy of funding provided by central government, and we have a great deal of sympathy for NHS managers, who have to deal with a difficult financial situation that is not of their making. Dr Skolar added: "However, these are major proposals that will have a profound effect on local health provision in Banbury. It is vitally important that my committee and the public are given the time to take a cool and informed look at what is being proposed."

George Parish, chairman of the Save the Horton action group, said: "First Cherwell District Council and now the county council have joined members of the public in questioning these devastating proposals that will put lives at risk and reduce the Horton to little more than a cottage hospital."