The decision to remove NHS beds from a care home in Henley has been condemned by county councillors.

Seven NHS beds were removed from the Chilterns Court care centre in York Road by Oxfordshire County Council without any consultation with local GPs, Henley Town Council or the local community, opponents have argued. 

The beds were used for short stay care for patients recovering from operations, and who had been living independently.

READ MORE: Oxford reacts in shock after woman raped near Travelodge

A Freedom of Information request confirmed these beds were funded by the council, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and are overseen by the Oxford University Hospital Hub team.

NHS beds are not supposed to be removed without consultation.

Henley’s Independent councillor Stefan Gawrysiak put forward a motion calling the move “unacceptable” at a full county council meeting on Tuesday, November 5.

He said: “Did Oxfordshire County Council consult or have conversations with stakeholders? No.

“Did Oxfordshire County Council tell GPs? No. Patient groups? Henley Town Council? No.

“They were removed without any consultation or conversations.”

READ MORE: Oxfordshire anger expressed over unspent Section 106 money

The motion called for the cabinet to reinstate the beds or provide a reason why they cannot, and to carry out necessary consultations. 

As part of the Oxfordshire Way strategic vision, the council aim to prioritise care at home to reduce pressures on NHS and care services.

Speaking in support of the motion, Labour councillor Michael O’Connor said: “The council’s general policy of encouraging care at home is working.

“However, in this specific case there has clearly been deep frustration of the residents of Henley.

“As a result, I think we should vote for this motion, to make sure that these voices are heard and that the people of Henley are included.”

The executive director of NHS Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB, Daniel Leveson, issued an apology for the removal of the beds.

The Liberal Democrat leader of the council Liz Leffman said: “I think we would all agree that the Oxfordshire Way has been a huge success.

“I would far rather be in a home than in a hospital.

“But there was not a consultation, and I want to share Dan Leveson’s apology that this did not happen.”

Mr Gawrysiak said: “[The Oxfordshire Way] is very good and is delivering cost effective services. But you always have to have some beds that are available.

“Patients should go home with a really good care package. A proper consultation would give precise figures.”

The council voted unanimously in favour of the motion, which could be fully approved by the cabinet in due course.