Sir, We are disappointed that councillors at two recent city council area committees have not supported our outline plans for a new health centre on part of the Radcliffe Infirmary site.

This scheme would put health care in Oxford city at the forefront of the evolving NHS plan to deliver more healthcare outside of hospitals. Whilst this change is not reflected in the present adopted Local Plan, we hope that there can be further discussions with planning officers to address what we have consistently argued is a regrettable omission that will inevitably need to be addressed in the longer term.

Together with local GPs, the PCT's role is to plan, purchase and provide for the health needs of local people. This includes securing new buildings fit for purpose. Our local GP practices are hoping to move into the proposed new health centre because they desperately require larger, modern buildings to meet their patients' needs today, let alone in the next 25 years.

Our extensive work to date to identify suitable sites in the city to meet these needs convinces us that the Radcliffe Infirmary site provides the most viable solution. We have consulted extensively with our staff, patients and the public and have received strong support for retaining local health services in the city when the Radcliffe Infirmary closes in 2007. The outcome of our consultation was endorsed by the county joint health overview and scrutiny committee.

Our obligation to the people of Oxford means that we will continue to work with local councils and the planning authority to ensure health care remains a priority. This opportunity to develop services in the heart of the city must not be overlooked.

Andrea Young, Chief executive, Oxford City Primary Care Trust