Oxfordshire hospital development plan backed
- Published
Campaigners had protested against plans to close the hospital
Health bosses have backed outline plans for a £12m redevelopment of Henley's Townlands Hospital.
NHS Oxfordshire's board wants to keep the 18-bed facility and minor injuries unit on site and build a 60-bed care home, to be run by social services.
A more detailed proposal will be submitted by a group consisting of local people and NHS staff, and will go before the board in December.
If approved, it is hoped building work will begin within the next year.
'Positive step'
The hospital has been the subject of a long-running campaign to keep it open, which was backed by then Henley MP Boris Johnson.
Former town mayor Ian Reissman said: "We are not taking anything for granted but this is one of the best chances to get the rebuild.
"It is a big, positive step on a long journey to securing the long-term future of the hospital."
Catherine Mountford, of NHS Oxfordshire, said: "We would like to see the development of a health campus in Henley which serves the town and surrounding areas and will meet their changing health and social care needs into the future."