The long-awaited refurbishment of the ground floor at Wantage Community Hospital is now underway, with contractors having started a phased approach to the planned works since Monday, 13 October. This follows approval by the Vale of White Horse District Council for £950,000 being allocated to the project from its Community Infrastructure Levy.
Emma Leaver, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s interim chief operating officer for community health services, dentistry and primary care, said:
“We’ve been working with the local community and our health and care partners for quite some time now, listening to what people want to see happen with this investment in their local hospital. So it’s great news to see our contractor start work on site.
“Patients will continue to be seen throughout the works, which is why we are taking a phased approach to the refurbishment. We are working to ensure that noise and disruption is kept to a minimum and clear signage is on hand to help people find where they need to go. We’re also very grateful to several local groups who have offered alternative parking arrangements for our staff, as the remaining spaces on site need to be prioritised for patients and those with mobility needs.”
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, who chairs Wantage Town Council’s Health Committee, said:
“The hard work of the community has paid off. We are getting a huge investment into our local hospital that will result, when the refurbished areas are fully open, in more services coming to Wantage and Grove. On behalf of the Town Council’s Health Committee, I would like to thank everyone’s contribution in helping to make this all possible.”
Local councillor Jane Hanna, who chairs the Oxfordshire Joint Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee, said:
“This major refurbishment of our hospital will save thousands of visits by residents to the John Radcliffe in the near future. It is happening because of public support and strong commitment of local leaders working together across health and local authorities, with the support of local organisations across Wantage and Grove, to bring improvements for local people.”
The refurbishment of the ground floor at Wantage Community Hospital will be made up of five phases:
· One: installation of the children and adolescent mental health service’s clinic space, reflection room, shower and changing rooms (October/November 2025)
· Two: old kitchen refurbished to a clinic room, and installation of new staff well-being room and kitchen area (November/December 2025)
· Three: new reception and waiting area, refurbished clinic rooms, and installation of a Changing Places toilet (January/February 2026)
· Four: old reception refurbished into two flexible working spaces (March 2026)
· Five: Installation of a digital suite and clinic room (March/April 2026)
The refurbishment of Wantage community hospital is being overseen through a partnership involving:
· Health Committee, Wantage Town Council (Cllr Jenny Hannaby)
· Oxfordshire Joint Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee (Cllr Jane Hanna)
· Vale of White Horse District Council (Mark Hewer)
· NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (Dan Leveson)
· Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Sue Butt and Dorothy ODell)
· Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Olivia Clymer)
· Oxford Health Charity (Michelle Evans)
The maternity unit on the first floor is not part of the refurbishment works and will remain open as normal throughout. Further information about the project can be found on Oxford Health’s website.
For more information: contact the Communications Team on 01865 902068/902225. Communications.team@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
For further information about the Vale of White Horse District Council and the Community Infrastructure Levy fund, please contact communications@southandvale.gov.uk