Patients warned as urgent repairs force clinic changes

Some services at Bedale Health Clinic are being transferred to other premises for the next three months as a result of the closure.

The building, in Sussex Street, has been shrouded in scaffolding for several weeks while general maintenance work has been carried out.

However, leaking water has affected the ceilings at one end of the building and, until that is rectified, a temporary closure has been imposed to safeguard patients and staff.

Staff are now contacting patients by phone and letter to explain the problems and to give assurances on services.

Notices are being posted on the door to inform people calling at the centre about the closure, and giving phone numbers for information and appointments.

Services affected include midwifery, podiatry, family planning, speech and language therapy and health visiting, all of which have been transferred to other places locally.

The dental services recently established there will continue to operate as normal, and patients should continue to attend their appointments at the same times.

Assistant director of community services Cath Wright said: "We have not made this decision lightly, but the safety and welfare of our patients and staff are, as always, our principal concern.

"We would also ask patients and visitors to the centre to be mindful of the earthworks being undertaken by the local water authority in our car park as this has unfortunately caused further inconvenience."

The centre's manager, Lorraine Bone, said: "We must apologise to our patients for the disruption this problem has caused to some of our services.

"We are doing our utmost to provide alternative accommodation for services and we would like to take this opportunity to thank our the public for their patience."

Phone numbers for patient services remain unchanged and patients should continue to call the health centre on 01677-425111.

The call will be redirected automatically at no further cost to patients.