The funds will enable Wantage Community Hospital to expand its range of clinic-based services, integrating both physical healthcare and mental health services to better serve the community.
The majority of this financial support has been sourced through the Vale of White Horse District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy Fund, following extensive consultations over the past nine months. The initial budget of £600,000 was revised to closer to £900,000 to accommodate the increasing demand for local healthcare services, making it easier for residents to access combined mental and physical healthcare facilities at the hospital.
Outpatient services, which have been successfully trialed for the past two years, will continue, with a commitment from the local NHS to expand offerings from the refurbished facility.
Additional services are expected to launch once the building renovations are completed later this year.
The project also benefits from a generous legacy left to the Oxford Health Charity, earmarked for enhancements at Wantage Community Hospital to improve the patient, carer, and family experience in the updated spaces.
Dan Leveson, Director for Places and Communities at the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: “The collaboration between the NHS, local government, and community leaders over the past few years exemplifies how we can effectively cater to local needs by offering more routine care closer to home. The developments at Wantage are aligned with national objectives for quicker treatment services.”
Councillor Jane Hanna, representing Wantage and Grove, and chair of Oxfordshire County Council’s Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, commented: “I am thrilled with the progress achieved so far and the funding allocated for our local community hospital. A public meeting is expected to take place in late February, providing more details on the refurbishment plans for the ground floor of the hospital and the services that will make use of this space.”
Dr. Ben Riley, Chief Operating Officer for community health services at Oxford Health, stated: “This investment for Wantage Community Hospital is essential for realizing our goal of enhancing local healthcare delivery. I am sincerely grateful to everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition.”
The investment initiatives have been agreed upon by Wantage Town Council, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxfordshire County Council, and Vale of White Horse District Council.
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