AN AREA earmarked for a GP surgery in the new Rose Hill Community Centre could become office space rather than being used for healthcare, residents fear.

It was revealed last month that the new centre would not house a GP surgery under new proposals.

Rose Hill Tenants’ and Residents’ Association has now claimed three different organisations could take over the space for offices and demanded that the original plan for the GP surgery should be adopted.

Tenants’ and residents’ association committee member Peter Wilkinson said: “The Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS England have been talking to Oxford City Council about getting space in the community centre.

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“My understanding is that it would just be offices for them, there would be no direct contact with the community. The whole thing has gone pear-shaped. It’s not fair on the community.

“If you look at the statistical data Rose Hill comes top, or near the top, of every scale for deprivation.

“We desperately need proper healthcare provision but everything gets put into other areas.

“We will fight on. We are determined to get the best for our community.”

Provision for a GP surgery had been included in proposals for the £4m community centre, which is currently under construction in Ashhurst Way.

But plans to move a surgery based in Donnington to Rose Hill fell through at the end of last year after the GPs who were based there, and had indicated they were willing to move, left Oxford.

No other GP could be found who wanted to move to Rose Hill.

At the time it was primary care trusts that identified where GP surgeries should be based, but the trusts were then abolished by the Government. They were replaced by Oxfordshire CCG and NHS England.

Last month Oxfordshire CCG spokesman Richard McClan said the body was working with NHS England and the city council to commission new health services at the site, which were different to a GP surgery.

Patients’ watchdog Healthwatch Oxfordshire said it only wanted to see direct provision of healthcare at the centre.

Chief executive Rachel Coney said: “We are absolutely clear that the first priority for use of that space must be meeting the direct health needs of the community in the most appropriate way.”

Oxfordshire CCG spokeswoman Annie Tysom did not deny that offices would go in instead of a GP surgery. She added: “Services provided at the centre could include health visiting, youth work, drug and alcohol support, mental health services, public health practitioners, benefits advice and medical and nursing staff. These plans are being developed following research with members of the community to understand their health needs. We are also establishing a working group formed from members of the Rose Hill community, neighbouring areas, stakeholders and clinicians to ensure there is an ongoing dialogue.”

NHS England was not available for comment.