Councillors are to discuss why fewer people are using Oxford's family planning services after it was revealed that there has been a 25 per cent drop in patients.

Oxford's health overview and scrutiny sub-committee has demanded health workers explain the fall at its meeting today.

As reported in the Oxford Mail in September, adult patient numbers fell by a quarter in the first five months after the Alec Turnbull Clinic in east Oxford moved to the Radcliffe Infirmary in Woodstock Road.

During the same time, 33 per cent fewer teenagers used the service -- a reduction of about 200 under 20-year-olds.

Sub-committee chairman, city councillor Paul Sargent, said: "I was very concerned when Oxford City Primary Care Trust announced it was planning to close the Alec Turnbull Clinic.

"There are more younger people living in the east and south east of the city. By making it harder for these groups to access these vital services, we're risking a rise in unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

"We'll be asking the PCT to explain what plans they have to reach at-risk groups now that family planning services have been closed in east Oxford."

The Alec Turnbull Clinic offers contraception advice and treatment. It moved from Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, when building work for a new health centre started at the site.

Health workers relocated it to the RI so it was closer to the genito-urinary clinic.

Although Oxfordshire director of family planning Dr Liz Greenhall admitted she was concerned that fewer patients were using the service, she said a lot was being done to improve the situation.

The health overview and scrutiny sub-committee is meeting today at 2.30 in the Town Hall.