Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), which was asked by Health Secretary Alan Johnston last month to find ways to maintain threatened maternity, children's and gynaecology services into the future, published a report yesterday (Wednesday) detailing a plan for that work over the coming two years.

PCT chief executive Andrea Young said it describes three phases, with public consultation between each one. And while a solution is found the Horton's current services must continue.

The stages will be assessing Banburyshire's health needs; developing strategies for meeting those needs; and creating a workable plan that delivers the final strategy.

"We will be asking the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust (ORH) for a plan on how a stabilised service will be delivered during the life of this project," she said.

"Commitment from the ORH is implicit in the recommendation that says it must do more to develop integrated practice across its sites at the Horton, JR and Churchill hospitals.

"We haven't an outcome in mind; it's about working out a process with all the stakeholders."

The proposal is to work with a Programme Board, to ensure the project is administered, and a Community Partnership Forum to bring ideas in, test proposals and give views on work being developed.

"We want cross representation in both groups but haven't yet decided who or what. Both groups will meet in public and we'll try to meet as much as possible in Banbury. Cherwell District Council has made the generous offer of a secretariat and to help where they can with room."

"We have had discussions with key stakeholders and we are taking a fresh approach to looking at healthcare in Banbury and the surrounding areas."

The report says detailed plans for the Horton's long term future are unlikely to be developed until mid 2009.

The planned Darzi GP medical centre in Banbury will be taken into account as plans are considered. The PCT insists it is making no explicit assumptions on the outcome and welcomes community involvement and leadership throughout.

The Oxfordshire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which referred ORH downgrading plans to the Health Secretary, will oversee engagement with stakeholders, patients and the public and will observe the community partnership forum.

Community involvement will be encourged at every possible level.

A technical error is preventing us from presenting the report in full as promised in this week's Banbury Guardian. We apologise for the error.