CAMPAIGNERS are calling on health bosses to be "open and honest" after news some maternity services could be suspended at the Horton Hospital because of a recruitment crisis.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Banbury hospital, confirmed last week it was planning to make the maternity unit 'midwife-led' from the end of September due to staff shortages.

This would mean women in childbirth who experienced complications would have to be taken by ambulance to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, due to not enough specialist doctors being on site.

But campaigners have raised doubts over the true reason for the possible suspension of services.

In June, the Oxford Mail revealed the trust was considering moving services as part of a plan to save £2.2 million.

The Keep the Horton General (KTHG) group, which has battled for years to protect services, has announced it will hold an official protest at the hospital on Saturday evening.

Midwives, patients and parents are invited to meet at the hospital from 7.45pm.

Chairman of the KTHG Keith Strangwood, whose daughter Lexus was delivered stillborn at eight months at the hospital in 2011, said the trust was playing the campaign like an "old violin".

He added: "There are difficult questions which the trust needs to answer.

"This sort of thing is happening around the country and they are treating us with disrespect."

Mr Strangwood suggested temporary staff could be bought in to help with the shortage at the hospital, meaning fewer patients would have to travel to the John Radcliffe Hospital for appointments.

Campaigners will also join hands around the hospital on August 21 in response to the maternity unit proposals.

The trust said a final decision will be made in late August, but preparations are being made at the John Radcliffe from today for the possibility of extra beds being required at the hospital’s women’s centre.

It said it was struggling to recruit enough “middle-grade doctors” – who are slightly less experienced than consultants – for the unit to offer services safely.

Paul Brennan, director of clinical services at the trust, said: “We are trying very hard to fill these posts, but we are also making contingency arrangements in case recruitment continues to prove unsuccessful. We want to keep the service as it is now. "Difficulty in recruitment is unfortunately a risk we have identified for some time, and we have been working hard to manage it.

“However, this reflects national difficulties in recruiting to obstetrics.”

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis, who was born at the hospital, said she was "very upset and disappointed" to hear about the possible suspension to services.

She added: "I understand the difficulties in recruiting obstetric doctors, but I firmly believe that a solution can be found that will ensure the continuation of a consultant-led unit at the Horton.

"Banbury needs high quality maternity care at a level that a midwifery-led unit cannot provide."

Mrs Prentis added that had been involved in discussions with those involved and was happy to speak with any constituents affected by the changes.

Town council leader Kieron Mallon called on hospital bosses to show "trust and openness."

He said: "It’s important that the hospital managers show us the recruitment efforts they have, and are going to use to find replacement doctors if they are to stop people and staff believing that they are party to a conspiracy.

"It is time for innovative solutions not simply rolling over."