OXFORDSHIRE PCT is under fire to come clean over its plans for the replacement of Bicester’s hospital.

The town’s MP, Tony Baldry, has raised concerns about the security of funding for the development, while hospital campaigner Les Sibley and Cherwell District Council plan to lobby Health Minister Andy Burnham and PCT chief executive Andrea Young.

Mr Sibley wants the health authority to be more open over which plans have been shortlisted, and for which sites.

The move comes after the PCT rejected a bid by the district council to build a hospital on land off Oxford Road.

Cherwell says it is now making representations to the Department of Health and PCT. Cherwell leader Barry Wood urged the PCT to re-think its decision following the go-ahead for the giant eco-town house-building scheme.

He said: “A community hospital at Bicester remains a key priority for us. We are not going to wimp out.”

Mr Sibley, of the Save Our Community Hospital protest group, said: “We don’t know the reasons why the bid was not successful. The south west option is the best option. I just think the PCT is being short-sighted.

“There are lots of questions that remain unanswered and we need the PCT to become more forthcoming.”

Meanwhile, Mr Baldry is concerned that cuts in NHS funding from next year could mean plans for the hospital will be shelved.

The PCT says there is “absolutely no plans to drop this scheme” and it intends to award the contract next June as planned.

Mr Baldry said a letter from PCT finance director Matthew Tait said building work would be privately funded and running costs were budgeted for.

But he said the letter included the sentence: “These plans need to be reviewed in light of reduced NHS funding in 2010/11.”

Mr Baldry said: “That sentence causes me real concern.”