A new £5 million community hospital has opened in Oxfordshire.

The Bicester Community Hospital was officially opened at a special commemorative ceremony.

The 'boutique' hospital, designed by architects IBI Group, comprises of 12 beds, diagnostic facilities, first aid unit, out-of-hours services, therapies and an outpatient department.

IBI's Justin Harris said: "The design solution places patients and their wellbeing at the core of the concept to create an exceptional care experience.

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"End users benefit from a high standard accommodation, which provides a spacious well planned environment that promotes quality of care, integrated working and a sustainable approach to healthcare delivery."

The new hospital was part funded by selling a portion of the old hospital site to enable the development of 14 new houses.

IBI Group states it made this possible through an 'effective masterplan what allows the new hospital to grow and flex whilst maintaining the beautiful surrounding landscape'.

It is understood the new hospital is 'highly sustainable' and responds to the Bicester Eco-Town initiative.

Features such as solar chimney's enabled the scheme to win the Gold Award at the Green Apple Awards earlier this year.

The project was delivered through a PPP arrangement with Kaima Partnerships as the main developer.

(LM)