Oxfordshire people are today being urged to help reshape the structure of the county's NHS.

As part of a scheme to bring healthcare closer to the community, Oxfordshire Health Authority is looking for people to join the new Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).

The PCTs, which will divide the county into five regions, could come into force in April. They will take over responsibility for looking after NHS services in their areas.

They will also commission acute care for people within their boundaries. And like the health authority, each will have board members in charge of their own budgets. Now health chiefs are searching for five non-executive members, in addition to the chairmen, to serve on each board.

But before the PCTs at present running as sub-committees of the health authority can be launched, the public will be given the chance to give its views in a series of special consultations that start today.