In the wake of their failed assault on Labour's supposed manipulation of NHS board appointments, the Tories are massing for another attack: on the threatened closure of community hospitals.

Since the beginning of March, three separate adjournment debates have been called, criticising NHS plans to shut down 16 cottage hospitals, from Cornwall to Norfolk.

There is a sense that the Tories feel at ease on this issue: it dovetails neatly with their wider attempts to marshal a 'countryside' lobby against the government, and allows them to praise GP fundholders, many of whom used budget-holding status to keep their local units open.

Sir Michael Spicer (Worcestershire West) has protested against the threatened closure of Malvern and Pershore hospitals; Shaun Woodward (West Oxfordshire) raised concerns over Burford Hospital; and Julian Brazier (Canterbury) spoke up for Whitstable and Tankerton hospitals.

Mr Woodward keenly exploited the countryside angle. Burford was a model of civic efficiency, he said: 80 volunteers helped out at the hospital; its new day centre was built with£135,000 raised by public subscription.

On the other hand, Oxfordshire Community Health trust's plans lacked 'intellectual coherence'. Would Labour not halt cottage hospital closures in the same way as it had halted village school cuts in the wake of the countryside march?

Junior health minister Paul Boateng parried the criticisms, and teased Mr Woodward for getting 'over-excited'.

Labour believes primary care groups will save community hospitals. But this perennial issue is unlikely to go away.