TODAY (March 20) marks the first anniversary of the victory over plans to downgrade the Horton Hospital - but campaigners have vowed not to take their 'eye off the ball'.
And as evidence of commitment to Banbury's hospital they want the word 'General' put back into the Horton's title.
Half way through the time given to Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) to solve the staffing problems that prompted plans to move 2
4-hour paediatrics and consultant-led maternity to Oxford, Keep the Horton General campaigners are determined the deadline must be met.
Leader George Parish said: "A year has passed since Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson said downgrading was not in patients' interests. Only when a lasting solution is in place and working can we go round town in an open-topped bus!
"There are no ifs or buts, no concessions. It's got to happen and it's got to work.
"We also want the Horton's pro-per title reinstated along with the reassurance that the hospital will remain a fully operational district general hospital."
Retired Horton consultant Peter Fisher said there was still resistance from some Oxford-based clinicians.
"Finding a solution is being made very difficult by policy at national level on how the European Working Time Directive is being implemented. It is important that Government is reminded of the damage being done to patient services and medical training," he said.
Dr Fisher said restoration of the hospital's full name would give patients confidence that the full range of services will be maintained.
Banbury MP Tony Baldry said it was important both presentationally and symbolically that it was rebranded as the 'Horton General Hospital'.
He said he would raise the matter with the new chairman of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust, Dame Fiona Caldicutt. The distinguished psychiatrist and psychotherapist had been acting chairman since Sir William Stubbs stepped down in November. Dame Fiona's appointment will last four years and she will receive £23,020 a year.
Mr Baldry said it was hoped that Mr Johnson and the Shadow Secretary for Health Andrew Lansley would visit the Horton Hospital next month.
"There is now total acceptance a solution has to be found to enable all key services to remain at the Horton," he added.
