Archive - Tuesday, 28 January 2003


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Historic home could go

A historic Oxford house could soon be demolished to build homes for low-paid NHS staff, in a bid to attract workers to hospitals in the city.

The now derelict building in Old Road, Headington, was once the home of Britain's first professor of orthopaedic surgery. Girdlestone House -- also known as The Red House, the former home of the late Dr Gathorne Girdle- stone -- and neighbouring Joliffe House could soon be pulled down by the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust.

The trust has applied to Oxford City Council for planning permission to build 91 flats for nurses and other low-paid health service staff on the site. The plans have been welcomed by Highfield Residents' Association.

Chairman Janet Isaac said: "We are in favour of the development because it will help solve the problem of a shortage of key NHS workers. I don't think they will have a problem persuading key hospital staff to move into the properties. If this accommodation means workers are living close to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Churchill Hospital, they will walk to work and help cut down on traffic."

Frank Johnston, director of capital projects for the trust, said: "It is proven that the provision of quality accommodation helps to attract workers to hospitals.

"These flats will be quality, affordable accommodation, and will replace other housing which is out of date."