As of mid-2019, Oxfordshire was the most rural county in the South East and the ONS estimate of the resident population of Oxfordshire was 691,700, although the count of GP registered patients in the Oxfordshire area was 773,409 in mid-2019. Just under a quarter (22%) of Oxfordshire’s population are resident in Oxford City and 38% in the county’s main towns. The remaining 40% live in smaller towns and villages.

According to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD 2019), Oxfordshire was ranked the 10th least deprived of 151 upper-tier local authorities in England (up from 11th in 2015). Oxfordshire had 1 out of 407 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) ranked within the 10% most deprived areas nationally, part of Northfield Brook ward, south east Oxford. A further 16 areas were ranked in the 20% most deprived areas nationally, 9 in Oxford City, 6 in Banbury and 1 in Abingdon.

Oxfordshire’s population is relatively healthy; life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in Oxfordshire are each significantly higher than national and regional averages for both males and females. However, Oxfordshire’s population is ageing, a trend that is forecast to continue; house prices are continuing to increase, and the cost of renting remains well above average.

Air pollution causes more harm than passive smoking, and is linked to asthma, heart disease and stroke. Transport now makes up the largest share of carbon emissions in Oxfordshire. For 2017 to 2019, cancer was the leading cause of death in Oxfordshire, followed by heart disease and stroke for males and Dementia for females. Levels of reported anxiety in Oxfordshire appear to have increased and remain above the England average. Mental health rates of diagnosis and referrals are continuing to increase.

Despite Oxfordshire’s relative affluence there are wide inequalities in health and wellbeing.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides Oxfordshire residents with hospital services and is made up of four hospitals John Radcliffe Hospital (which includes the Children's Hospital, West Wing, Eye Hospital, Heart Centre and Women's Centre), the Churchill Hospital and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, all located in Oxford, and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury, north Oxfordshire. People in the south of the county also use services provided by the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health services, Learning Disability services and community health services across the county. Its services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes.

Oxfordshire has 67 GP practices and 21 Primary Care Networks across the county. PCNs are groups of GP working together with a range of local providers to offer more personalised and coordinated health and social care to their local populations.

Please follow this link to read the Oxfordshire System Stakeholder Briefing April 2023.  

Healthwatch Oxfordshire is your health and social care champion. It collects your opinions and experiences to inform and influence those who run your health and social care services. Healthwatch can also provide help and advice if you have a question about  local health services in your area. 

For more information about the work of the Oxfordshire NHS working with local authorities and other partners please see previous stakeholder briefings.

Please note that a list of the BOB PCN's and Clinical Directors are available HERE.