An 83m unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, will treat 4,000 more people a year than at present, writes Emma Henry.

Units dealing with neurology, head and neck injuries, plastic surgery and urinary problems will move from the Radcliffe Infirmary into a building on the John Radcliffe site in Headington in 2005.

NHS bosses believe the move, which will also see the ear, nose and throat and opthalmology departments switch sites, will revolutionise health care in the city. The unit will also provide 34 new beds, increase the number of operating theatres from three to 11 and include state-of-the-art equipment. It is being funded by the Government's Private Finance Initiative.

The extra theatres are expected to help cut the John Radcliffe's waiting lists for day surgery.

Relocation project manager Vickie Lamb said: "The key reasons for change were things like the children's service, which is on this site as well as the John Radcliffe. We have to transfer some very sick children around or have clinicans go to them. "The move will also mean neurosciences will be close to the accident and emergency and trauma unit, which makes more sense."

Health Authority chairman Peter Airedale said the scheme had their full backing.

Other services based at the Radcliffe Infirmary, including care of the elderly, will move to the Churchill Hospital in Headington, to be joined by services for the elderly currently based at the Linden Unit and Oxford Community Hospital. Work on the new unit is expected to start in September 2002 and be completed in spring 2005. The Infirmary building will be closed and sold, with the proceeds funding new building projects.

Another major project will see work on a new 8.9m centre dealing with diabetes, stomach and metabolism complaints at the Churchill Hospital start early next year, with completion expected in mid-2002.

This is being funded in part by a 4m donation from Danish drug company Novo Nordisk, with the balance being made up from NHS funds.