Their closure could spark massive protests.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown today demanded answers on the future of community hospitals in Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh. In a letter to Jan Stubbings, the Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Mr Clifton-Brown asked “Are they due to be closed, are beds to be reduced, and if so when? What plans are there for a replacement hospital to be built in Moreton, and if they exist when will they be available to the public?”

Mr Clifton-Brown’s letter follows Ms Stubbings’ statement that the £6.5 million top slice, taken by the former Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority, would not be coming back to Gloucestershire until she had balanced the books by another £8m.

He went on to write that:
“I was given assurances by the former Chief Executive of the Cotswold & Vale Primary Care Trust that before any changes were made to existing community hospital provision, plans would be available for new facilities in Moreton. Is this still the case now that the Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust has assumed their responsibilities?”

Mr Clifton-Brown took part in large scale protests to save community hospitals in Fairford and Tetbury, and organised the protest when the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, visited Cirencester Memorial Hospital on 25 July (pictured).

He ended his letter stating:
“I am sure you will be aware of the depth of feeling that communities in the Cotswolds attach to their local community hospitals. Any change will engender enormous popular feeling in Bourton, Moreton and the surrounding areas.”

Mr Clifton-Brown said:
"I hope to receive clear answers from Ms Stubbings. I share the strong feelings of residents who oppose the closure of Bourton and Moreton. I will do everything I can to avoid the loss of these hospitals without a clear replacement in the pipeline.”