The future of Wantage Community Hospital is more secure than it has been for many years, according to a top NHS manager.

Caroline Kenny, South West Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust finance and performance director, said despite a predicted £5.5m deficit for healthcare in the region, she hoped new proposals would protect the Garston Lane-based hospital from closure.

Despite her assurances, Vale of White Horse district councillor and Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman Andrew Crawford warned the PCT's budget worries could have a negative impact on services unless managers were supported by Thames Valley Health Authority.

Residents in Wantage have been campaigning to keep their 24-bed hospital for years.

Last year they celebrated when ministers axed PCT proposals to close at least two of the six hospitals in south Oxfordshire.

But in September, a confidential report was leaked, revealing that the Wantage centre was still earmarked for closure due to staff shortages and an estimated £800,000 maintenance bill.

Despite the PCT's debts, Ms Kenny said it was unlikely the arrears would affect the hospital.

She said: "We realise we have a bit of a problem but I have not had any indication that we will be looking at cutting community services."

The PCT is currently asking Thames Valley Health Authority for help to reduce its deficit, by sharing out money made from land sales across the county.

Mr Crawford, who is also deputy mayor of Wantage, said he was backing the talks.

He said: "Unless action is taken now we'll see a repeat of last year when local hospitals were threatened because of insufficient funding.

"I still want to know where the £800,000 needed to improve Wantage Hospital will come from if the primary care trust is having financial problems."

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