BICESTER has reacted after health chiefs identified the site for a £15 million ‘super surgery’ in the town.

Graven Hill, in the south of Bicester, was announced as the ‘preferred choice’ for the purpose-built hub by Alchester Medical Group GP Dr Toby Quartley at the Langford Village Community Association AGM last Thursday.

A rival site at Kingsmere was found to be unable to fulfil a number of the ‘must have’ criteria and to be of ‘insufficient size’ for future expansion.

Instead, Graven Hill has be chosen as it fully met all their requirements on availability, affordability and value for money.

Also read: Bicester residents alarmed by plan to merge GP services

Under the ‘super surgery’ scheme, Langford Medical Practice and Victoria House Surgery – both run by Alchester – will move into the new site with Montgomery House Surgery and Ambrosden Surgery.

Each one will work individually from the same site and it is hoped that the new hub will be ready in around three years.

The town’s other practice, Bicester Health Centre, will stay and expand facilities on its present site at Coker Close.

The decision to move the four surgeries was announced in February this year and affects tens of thousands of patients.

In May, more than 300 people voted in a Facebook poll asking for opinions on where the multi-million pound facility should be based, with 67 per cent choosing Graven Hill.

The main concern of residents is about the impact the new hub will have on traffic.

Linda Cadle said on Facebook: “People will have to drive there causing more congestion/ pollution. How are the elderly/ disabled going to find it easy to get to?

"And I thought Bicester was supposed to be green/ eco – this will cause more mayhem and pollution."

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Jeff Willmore said: “Centralising GP services may have some benefits such as offering more efficient treatment facilities all under one roof, but only if there is good public access and adequate public transport.”

Cherwell district councillor for Bicester South and Ambrosden Dan Sames supported the decision and said it would create the ‘21st century’ health service in the town that it would need as it grows.

He said transport was an important factor in the discussions that took place and he would ensure it was kept a priority.

He said: “We’ve got the opportunity to supervise the transport situation so I wouldn’t be overly worried. We need to enforce the need for coordinated transport in order for people to access the site.”

A bus service is expected to run by the time the surgery opens enabling people to get to their GP more efficiently.

He added: “Overall it’s a positive one for the community. Plans change and the service changes but we need to react to those changes. I think if the hub enhances the service then that’s a positive way forward.”

Chris A’Court, spokesperson for Alchester, said: “We’ll work closely with all those involved to ensure that transport and access for our patients is right."

Alchester Medical Group say the new surgery at Graven Hill will provide what is needed to 'meet the demands of a booming local population well into the future and will be a new and modern workplace for staff.'

Also read: Bicester GP surgery suspends new patients amid recruitment crisis

It also said that it expects to be able to offer additional facilities for patients that will save them from making some journeys for treatment elsewhere, such as to Oxford or Banbury.

Exactly what these services are will be confirmed once talks are complete and the building is constructed and close to opening.

Patients will also find a new independent pharmacy on site too, so that they can pick up their medicines at the same time as an appointment.

Langford Village Community Association said it was 'delighted' with the decision to build the super surgery at Graven Hill.

Chairman Carole Hetherington said: “We have accepted the doctors' reasoning behind the decision and need for a super surgery and welcome the fact we should get more services meaning less visits to the hospitals.

“It's good that not everything is being built near Bicester Village/Kingsmere which is already such a busy area.”

On Facebook, Bicester resident, Rachel Winchester, said: “The proposals aren’t perfect for everyone, that would be an impossible task. If a hub does, however, mean better facilities in one place which can improve the efficiency of local healthcare, and even in some cases reduce visits to Oxford, then for many, it is an improvement.”