CHIPPING Norton residents will have the chance to hear about plans for the future of health services in and around the town next week.

A public meeting takes place at 7.30pm, in the town hall, next Monday, when new proposals for the creation of primary care trusts (PCTs) in Oxfordshire will be discussed.

Chipping Norton, the Wychwoods, Kingham, Banbury and Brackley will fall under a new health trust to be called the Redlands PCT and hopes are high that it could mean a secure future for Chipping Norton Hospital.

Health managers in Oxfordshire and south Northamptonshire want to create five new primary care trusts, building on the introduction last year of primary care groups which allow doctors, district nurses and other health professionals a greater say in health care in their area.

Oxfordshire Health Authority says the change will give them even more power over the new trust's £53 million budget and the organisation of health services in the area.

It would allow them to concentrate more on specific local issues and even employ specialist staff.

The trust would also own its own buildings, such as Chipping Norton's hospital.

Comments on the proposals must be made to the authority by September 27 and it will make its recommendations in October and a final decision will be made by the Secretary of State for Health.

If he agrees to the plans, the new trust would become operational on April 1 next year.