PRIME Minister David Cameron has said it was “extremely disappointing” Chipping Norton Hospital was to lose NHS nurses from its intermediate care ward.

The Witney MP made the comment after it was revealed nurses at the 14-bed unit at the London Road hospital, currently managed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, will come under the control of the Orders of St John Care Trust.

OSJCT runs the Henry Cornish care home, which is next door, as well as a number of other care homes across the south of England.

Campaigners have fought to keep the unit under NHS control, fearing a reduction in the quality of care.

Oxfordshire County Council, which commissions the service, has been consulting on the changes and believes it can cut the cost of each individual bed from £1,777 to £823 per week.

Mr Cameron said: “It is extremely disappointing to hear that, following a consultation, Oxfordshire County Council is returning to the original proposal that intermediate care beds are staffed by the Orders of St John Care Trust.”

He said the decision was down to the need for the council to make budget cuts, but he would do everything he could to ensure care standards were maintained.

Campaigners have put together a petition now signed by more than 800 people and have handed it to the council.

They are also running an e-petition online.

The matter will be raised at the council’s health and scrutiny overview committee on Thursday.