'IMPROVED communication' is needed to improve health services in southern Oxfordshire, according to a report by Healthwatch Oxfordshire.

The local watchdog said it was also recommending increased mental health awareness training for GPs, and for authorities to consider the transport needs of the Wantage and Grove community when planning local health and social care schemes.

It added that residents in the area are concerned that local health services are not keeping up with population increases, alongside concerns about 'insufficient provision at the Wantage Health Centre.

READ MORE Wantage Hospital: Residents keep up campaign

Rosalind Pearce, Executive Director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, said: “Wantage and Grove are clearly expanding very quickly, and residents want an assurance that their services are going to be able to continue to meet their needs.

“In particular, people feel a great sense of ownership over the community hospital, and they are entitled to more transparency concerning the decisions being made about this facility.”

However, the stance is likely to be seen as not being forthright enough, with residents demonstrating in huge numbers over the summer about the 'temporary' closure of Wantage hospital.

Healthwatch spent three weeks in the town earlier this year, gathering people’s experiences of using services in the area.