FRESH plans to redevelop Bicester’s hospital have been revealed.

Seven weeks ago, NHS Oxfordshire shelved a proposal to rebuild the community hospital – 18 months into the tendering process – amid fears it could leave itself open to legal action.

But last night the health authority said it was only six months behind schedule and a replacement for the hospital, which has a budget of £8m, could be built by October 2013.

A timetable of key dates has been issued, the first being late August when a decision will be made on the hospital’s location.

Two sites in the running are its current site in Kings End, or land at the Kingsmere development, off Middleton Stoney and Oxford roads.

In September, a business plan will be presented to the executive board detailing the proposal, including site, hospital services and costs.

If the plans gets approval, contractors will be invited to bid for the work.

The final hurdle will be in May next year when the project team will recommend a design and contractor for the board’s approval, with work starting in October 2011.

Project manager Tony Burrage said the hospital plans were back on track, the cash was ready and that, this time, the project would get delivered.

He said: “The first key message we will give is NHS Oxfordshire is committed to redevelopment of Bicester Community Hospital; there is no question of that whatsoever.

“Everyone is looking to make sure we deliver this time.

“Yes, we have lost a bit of time – about six months – but we did do an awful lot of work for that six months.”

At the moment a primary care centre – a hospital with beds in care homes leased by the NHS– option is still on the table.

But retired GP Dr Michael Curry, chairman of the Community Hospital Engagement Forum (Chef), said the group was pushing for co-location – a hospital with in-patient beds.

He said: “They have not knocked it [the primary care centre] on the head, but it’s out of favour with the people of Bicester and we are pushing the case for a co-located facilities.

“I think it is going well – the PCT is listening to us and paying attention and changing things along what people of Bicester are asking for.”

Meanwhile, hospital campaigner Les Sibley said he was still sceptical and urged townspeople to attend a rally on July 17, in Garth Park, at 10am, to show NHS Oxfordshire the importance of a hospital in the town.

He said: “We have heard all this before from the pct and they have failed to deliver.

“I would urge people to join the rally to demand a hospital with in-patient beds to be built on the south-west option [Kingsmere] site.”