91 new homes for hospital key workers now open in Oxford

A brand new development of key worker accommodation has been opened at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

The construction of Spencer Court comprises 19 fully furnished flats. It will house 91 hospital staff, with the first group of NHS workers currently moving in. 

The project, a collaboration between Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Hospitals Charity and A2Dominion, provides hospital staff with quality rental homes within walking distance of their work. 

Each flat contains either three or five en-suite bedrooms, a central living and kitchen area with contemporary furniture. Six accessible rooms are also available within the 91 new homes. Created to provide NHS staff with more affordable rents and help with the recruitment and retention of staff, the flats have added to the overall amount of staff accommodation and is part of a wider project to deliver more affordable homes to OUH staff. 

Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, Chair of Oxford University Hospitals, said:

"The partnership between OUH, Oxford Hospitals Charity and A2Dominion is vital in providing homes for our new staff with affordable rents and the opportunity to settle into the area. I am so pleased that we have been able to modernise our onsite accommodation and increase the number of homes we are able to offer our staff.

"For new staff coming to Oxford for the first time, finding good quality, low rental housing within walking distance of the Oxford hospitals is daunting. That is why our onsite accommodation is so important. It gives our new staff the time and safe space to save for a deposit, get to know the area and find flatmates to share with in the future."

Professor David Matthews, Chair of Oxford Hospitals Charity, added:

"This is an extremely important project for all involved, so it is wonderful to be here today to see the quality of this splendid new building and hear the positive reaction from those moving in. Everyone living in Oxfordshire knows that the lack of affordable housing is a cause of major concern, so our charity is delighted with this collaboration to support the accommodation needs of vital NHS staff."

Steven Waite, Director of Technical & Commercial at A2Dominion, said: "We are so proud to be able to formally celebrate this important milestone with our partners Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Hospitals Charity and Exel construction.

Spencer Court provides high-quality and modern accommodation, fitting for the essential work carried out by our remarkable key workers at the Trust. A2Dominion has a proven track record in Oxfordshire and plans are already ongoing to deliver even more affordable accommodation for OUH staff."

Heide Servano, tenant at Spencer Court, said: "I have just moved into Spencer Court and really love it. I work on the Cardiology Ward so it is great to come home to this relaxing and comfortable space, it makes a big difference. The flats are so well designed and have everything I need in them: built in furniture, an en-suite bathroom, and a lovely communal space. I’ve stayed in other staff accommodation and this is definitely much more modern and comfortable. I am very happy that I have had the opportunity to move in."

Pictured from left to right: Jane Bray, Oxford Hospitals Charity; Ian Wardle, CEO, A2Dominion; David Thoroughgood, Managing Director, Exel Construction; Heide Servano, tenant at Spencer Court; Prof. Sir Jonathan Montgomery, OUH Chair; Prof. David Matthews, Chair, Oxford Hospitals Charity; and Douglas Graham, CEO, Oxford Hospitals Charity.