16 march 2017 oxfordshire guardian bicester

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MP: I fear for future of town’s health services

By Samantha McGregor NORTH OXFORDSHIRE MP Victoria Prentis has raised concerns about the future of health services in Bicester. It comes after a public meeting by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group in Bicester over its major consultation on proposed changes to healthcare across the county. Mrs Prentis has already called for the consultation to be “halted” because the changes are being consulted on in two phases and people can’t see the “full picture”. Phase one is asking for views on reducing the number of inpatient beds, providing a central stroke unit in Oxford, and a permanent midwifeled unit at Banbury’s Horton Hospital. Phase two will review accident and emergency services, paediatric services and midwife-led maternity units, as well as community hospitals. Bicester’s MP is concerned decisions made after the fi rst phase could impact on the services that are due to be consulted on in phase two. She said: “While I am very concerned about the future of the Horton in Banbury, I am also worried about the future of health services in Bicester. We have seen one closure of a well-supported GP surgery, and the community hospital is an important service for many of us.” The new hospital opened in Coker

Close in 2015 after a long-fought battle to retain the service, which has 12 patient rooms, physiotherapy, x-ray suites and a fi rst aid unit. Bicester councillor Les Sibley, who led a campaign to keep a community hospital in Bicester, said: “I have had concerns for a few months since the closure of North Bicester Surgery and the merger of Langford and Victoria House practices. When you see the reduction of services at the Horton it’s a worrying time. “The community hospital is coming under threat, I have no doubt. If you can’t staff an acute hospital how are we going to staff a community hospital. “We are in a terrible state. I am concerned about the closure of these facilities when we are a growing town and need more health facilities not less.” Mrs Prentis has urged people to take part in the consultation. She said: “I will continue to liaise with the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group about their plans for health services in my constituency, and I strongly encourage my constituents to take part in the consultation.” Mrs Prentis also took a swipe at the commissioning group for holding public meetings during the day when many people were unable to attend. No one from OCCG was available for comment. For more information view oxonhealthcaretransformation.nhs.uk

Teacher’s rugby lesson

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A TEACHER swapped the classroom for the rugby pitch to train with England’s undefeated Six Nations team, ahead of the Calcutta Cup match last Saturday. Basil Strang at Biology teacher at Kingham Hill school in Chipping Norton tested his rugby skills against the country’s best when the England rugby team travelled to Oxford for part of their Six Nations preparation. The 20-man squad, who are currently undefeated in 17 matches, joined the Oxford University Varsity rugby team, for whom Basil plays fly half, for a day of training last Friday. Mr Strang lined up beside England’s kicking stars, Owen Farrell and George Ford, and was able to pick up tips and refine his rugby skills. He said: “It was a great experience. On a personal level it allowed me to test myself against the very best, but from a coaching point of view it was fascinating to see the level of detail that goes into preparing a top level training session. “Experiences like this also have the added benefit of gaining some ‘kudos’, particularly among the rugby playing pupils. “I am very much looking forward to touch rugby this summer and the official season next year when I can put the things I have learned to good use with the Kingham Hill pupils.”

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