A CALL has been made to keep Bicester Community Hospital open when its replacement is completed because of concerns about winter pressure on bed spaces.

Bicester councillor Les Sibley is calling for both hospitals to remain open over the winter months.

The new hospital in Coker Close was due to open earlier this month, but minor issues, including checking plug sockets have delayed it, NHS chiefs said. No revised opening date has been given.

Labour councillor Mr Sibley is concerned the new 12-bed hospital will not be able to cope with demand.

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The old 11-bed hospital, in Kings End, will be demolished to make way for houses when the new site opens.

Mr Sibley said extra beds are needed to help tackle the county’s “bed-blocking” problem.

The hospital can taken patients from major hospitals like Oxford’s John Radcliffe, freeing up vital beds for more seriously ill patients.

Mr Sibley said: “It is disappointing that it is not open on time and we don’t know when it will be opening.

“But it is important that we tackle the bed-blocking that is occurring in the county.

“I think we should keep the old hospital open during the winter to have bed capacity.

“As it is a crucial time and we need the in-patient beds, it would give us 24. When the new hospital opens, they intend to demolish the old one, which is a real shame. With the winter looming I would like to see it remain open at least for the foreseeable future.”

A spokeswoman from Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which funds the hospital, said the new community hospital was effectively complete, but contractors were dealing with minor problems, such as checking plug sockets.

She added: “When this is completed a deep clean will be carried out. NHS Property Services continue to manage the process.

“Once we are satisfied that all the work is completed to make the building fit for occupation, the process of fire and safety training for staff and moving services to the new building will begin.”

She added: “The opening date will be confirmed once the work is completed and the staff training programme is in place.”

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