HEALTH Secretary Alan Johnson has officially rejected plans to downgrade the Horton Hospital.
Mr Johnson has backed today's Independent Reconfiguration Panel report and recommendations in full.
He said: "In October 2007, I sought the advice of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) in relation to the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust proposals for changes to Paediatric services, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Horton General Hospital, Banbury.
"Following careful consideration, I have decided to accept in full the Panel's recommendations.
"This means that I would like the Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust to work with the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust to undertake a review of maternity and paediatric services in north Oxfordshire and together with stakeholders develop a plan for taking forward this work within a month.
"The IRP has undertaken a very thorough review and has considered a great deal of evidence and their recommendations allow for fresh consideration of the needs of the local population in developing a way forward to deliver safe, effective and accessible maternity and paediatric services for the 21st century".
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