Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre nurses are having one-to-one meetings with managers to discuss their future after plans to move the hospital's paediatric care were approved.

By March 2008, young inpatients at the Headington-based hospital will be treated at the Oxford Children's Hospital, at the nearby John Radcliffe Hospital site, which is able to offer specialist 24-hour care in the case of an emergency.

Paediatric nurses currently working on the NOC children's wards are being given the opportunity to relocate, and will receive the same pay and conditions, under employment laws.

They are also being offered alternative work with the orthopaedic centre.

Centre spokesman Melanie Proudfoot said: "Paediatric staff at the NOC have a strong attachment to the hospital but understand this transfer is in the best interests of the children.

"One member of the children's nursing team has left due to the planned move across to the children's hospital.

"The NOC is currently consulting with staff about their options and, as far as is possible, will match staff preferences with vacancies and service needs."

Royal College of Nursing spokesman Dawn Chambers said many NOC staff were apprehensive about the transfer.

She said: "People who're moving are reasonably satisfied and they're being consulted about their preferences. But some staff will choose to leave.

"The NOC is a small employer where everyone knows each other, and the nurses are moving to one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK."

Although children needing orthopaedic surgery will be treated at the JR, the NOC will continue offering paediatric outpatient treatments, including pre-operation assessments, walking technology laboratory services, paediatric rheumatology, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, and false limb services.