I have regular bi-monthly meetings with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust about the Horton General Hospital and health provision in Banbury, so it was really useful to do my latest in-person and have the chance to walk around the hospital.
It was good to hear directly from one of the consultants about some of the improvements that have been made to the Emergency Department. The Horton can do a lot more than many residents realise: they can handle most issues in the first instance and approximately 80% of patients are discharged immediately. I was really interested to hear about the ‘Call Before You Convey’ model which has helped significantly reduce Category 1 and 2 ambulance uses at the hospital.
My meeting with the Trust was extremely helpful. We are in a much better place to where we were in 2016. Our hospital is here to stay, and we have moved to a more positive chapter in its 150-year history. We know that the Horton plays a vital role delivering important services for the Trust more generally.
I am determined to do all that I can to get the right investment for the Horton to modernise its site and structures so that it can truly care for local people of the future. I will be writing to the Health Secretary to make this clear to him.
