A NEW health group has been launched to identify the needs of residents in Wantage and Grove and the surrounding villages.

The OX12 stakeholder reference group will bring together patients, carers and the public with NHS organisations as health leaders look to make decisions on what facilities will be available in the OX12 area.

NHS bosses want to know where the services used by local residents are located and where people have to travel to access them.

A new survey has also been launched by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group to help them gather this information.

Read again: 'The trust is gone': Campaigners slam health chiefs over Wantage Community Hospital delay

The move comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of Wantage Community Hospital which has seen its services significantly downgraded over the last few years.

Julie Mabberley, chair of the stakeholder reference group, said: “This survey is very important to ensure that we have the voice of the residents as part of the study so we need to encourage everyone to complete it.”

The survey is available online at consult.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk while printed copies will be available in public buildings (and at local GP surgeries) throughout OX12.

THE CCG has said regular updates will be provided to the joint Oxfordshire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee throughout the process.