NHS managers at Oxfordshire Health Authority are set to see a major overhaul if plans to merge with two other counties are given the go-ahead.

The organisation, which oversees hospital and primary care trusts across the county, could become Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority, combining with Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

A consultation process has now been launched. If approved, the scheme will start in April 2002.

A series of public meetings have also been scheduled. Details are available on the website www.tvha.nhs.uk.