FEARS were raised about the future of 14 beds at a community hospital unit when health bosses said residents could either accept a charity taking over or lose it completely.

Campaigners let out audible gasps of shock when the county council’s director of social services John Jackson announced a public consultation over the future of the 14-bed intermediate care unit at Chipping Norton Community Hospital.

And their shock turned to disbelief when Mr Jackson said on Tuesday that neighbours will have only two choices – accept the Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) taking over or lose it completely.

He said the unexpected decision was prompted by an inability to co-manage the unit and the high cost of NHS nurses.

Mr Jackson said: “Our proposals have clearly caused concern. Either people support the OSJCT providing intermediate care or there will be no intermediate care in Chipping Norton.”

His comments sparked disbelief from a councillor campaigning to keep the service in Chipping Norton.

The council’s lead member for public health, Hilary Hibbert-Biles said: “If they remove the intermediate care beds we end up with no hospital.”

The unit at the Henry Cornish Care Centre is currently co-managed by the charity and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, but the council plans to transfer control fully to the OSJCT.

The committee agreed to launch a public consultation and examine the results at a meeting in September.