A spokesperson for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has revealed that the scheme to enhance Wantage Community Hospital on Garston Lane will be finished in the autumn after delays relating to the “nature of the property and its age”.
The £950,000 refurbishment of the hospital’s ground floor will allow for a wider range of health and care services to be accommodated as well as an increase in clinic space by eight rooms.
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Works began last autumn and are being progressed in phases, with the first of those already complete.
Earlier this year, the trust announced a delay to the project which was initially intended to be completed by the spring. But now, it confirmed, that the project will finish in the autumn.
Wantage Hospital (Image: Ed Nix)
A spokesperson for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust said: “The work is now nearing completion, and we are anticipating work will be complete in the autumn.
“The work has been carried out in phases to keep as many existing services open at the hospital as possible.
“The project has previously experienced delays due to unforeseen issues, which relate to the nature of the building and its age.
Wantage Community Hospital (Image: Oxford Health)
“We will be able to share further details in due course around a celebratory opening event once all building works have finished.”
Almost £950,000 has been allocated to the project, money taken from the community infrastructure levy healthcare allocation, which is collected from new building developments.
The trust has previously confirmed that its works had not gone over-budget yet as infrastructure projects and households alike face spiralling energy costs this year.
Olly Glover MP (Image: Olly Glover)
The news that Wantage Community Hospital was to be refurbished was welcomed by local leaders when announced last autumn.
Emma Leaver, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s interim chief operating officer for community health services, dentistry and primary care, said: “The works will not only make the hospital fit for purpose, it will allow us to increase the overall number of services offered to local people and improve access for patients, carers and their families.
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“Some of the new services coming to the community hospital will include a dedicated area for children and adolescent mental health services – something that local people wanted to see included.”
MP for Wantage and Didcot, Olly Glover, was also pleased by the news, calling it “crucial”, but said that more funding for infrastructure is needed.
The Liberal Democrat said: “Using developer contributions to help fund health, leisure, education infrastructure, or projects like a new station at Grove, is the right approach.
“However, government investment is also needed to ensure local facilities are provided ahead of new homes to ensure sufficient infrastructure to meet community needs.”