BICESTER GPs are positive that the town's new health hub will be a 'fantastic' new facility that will meet the growing needs of patients.
Under the scheme, Langford Medical Practice and Victoria House Surgery – both run by Alchester Medical Group – will move into a new site in Graven Hill with Montgomery House Surgery and Ambrosden Surgery.
ALSO READ: Plans for Bicester's new 'super-surgery' are revealed
The proposed 3,350sqm building has been called Bicester Health and Wellbeing Hub and will have 69 patient rooms, a new highway access road, an ambulance bay, service bay and a mobile medical unit bay.
The facility is designed to serve between 50,000 and 60,000 patients, but when it opens in late 2023, 40,000 patients are expected to be served.
Chris A’Court, communications spokesperson for Alchester Medical Group and Montgomery-House Surgery said: “The Health and Wellbeing Hub will be a fantastic new facility for Bicester and is intended to serve the growing needs of existing and future residents in our exciting and booming part of the country.
ALSO READ: Four surgeries to close under new 'super surgery' plan for Bicester
"When the Hub opens next year around 40,000 registered patients of Alchester and Montgomery-House will be served by the GPs and nurses who’re to be based in a brilliantly designed new centre. This is going to be a purpose-built, 21st century doctors’ surgery with plenty of parking, bus connection and joined up cycling and walking routes – that’s exactly what people have said they wish to see.
"The Bicester GPs who’re backing the Hub all believe that patients will love it and are convinced that there’ll be new health services and treatments on site that’ll benefit anyone living here or nearby."
It is hoped the need for people to make long trips to Oxford or Banbury will be avoided thanks to the 'super surgery', which will also provide GP and nurse training, allowing it to become a Teaching & Training Centre of Excellence.
ALSO READ: County councillors still say proposed Bicester 'super-surgery' is in wrong location
There will be 223 parking spaces, along with many EV charging points and secure facilities for bikes.
In the past, there was controversy about which area of the town the 'super-surgery' should be built in, with some people wanting it in Kingsmere, and others preferring Graven Hill.
Bicester county councillors Les Sibley, Donna Ford and Michael Waine said in a joint letter submitted to this paper in November that they support the hub in principle, but that access to the hub will be a problem.
People have also expressed their concerns about access, particularly in respect to Rodney House roundabout.
Building work will get underway within the next few months provided it gets the greenlight from the council today.
Planners recommend Cherwell District Council approve the proposals under conditions - including Section 106 agreements.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here