Union leaders have called on Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to come and work at Oxfordshire hospitals to see the impact NHS cuts will have on services.

At a packed public meeting in Oxford Town Hall, Bryan Nicholls, Unison leader in the Oxford Radcliffe Trust, said the £35m of cuts to county health services could not fail to harm patients and staff.

He said: "I'm asking our MPs to join the fight to make the strongest possible representations to Patricia Hewitt to think again about the Oxford Radcliffe Trust.

"In fact, I'm challenging Mrs Hewitt to come and work for a day or two at the trust so she can see what it's like at the coalface."

Department of Health spokesman Stuart McFadyen refused to comment on whether Mrs Hewitt would take up the challenge, saying invitations should be made in writing.

The event, organised by the Keep our NHS Public coalition, also saw the launch of a manifesto on which five campaigners will stand for election to the board of the new Oxfordshire NHS Primary Care Trust, set to replace the five district PCTs in October.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jane Hanna, of the Vale of White Horse District Council, county council Green group leader Larry Sanders, former county councillor Brian Hodgson, Paul Wesson, Independent Carterton town councillor, and Bicester Labour councillor Les Sibley have all been involved in fighting to protect health services in Oxfordshire.

Mr Sanders resigned from his role as non-executive director of Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust after being told he could not inform the public about planned NHS cuts.

He said: "It's vital that non-executive directors use their position to inform the public and encourage vigorous debate about policies which reduce the quality of NHS care year by year, while using public money to develop private care.

"These policies will make it increasingly difficult to get adequate care for the NHS and will encourage people who can afford to do so, to buy private care."

Mr Sibley, who campaigned against the closure of Bicester Community Hospital, said it was vital community hospitals were kept open.

He added: "I would work hard to ensure that the voice of the patient is heard first not last."