Latest news with #EastNorfolkMedicalPractice
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Caister surgery where staff felt unwell could reopen this month
A doctors' surgery is expected to remain shut for another fortnight as investigations continue to work out the source of air quality GP practice at Caister Health Centre has been closed since 6 May after several staff reported symptoms of tiredness and have been called in to assess air quality, including issues thought to emanate from drains or Knights, executive manager of the East Norfolk Medical Practice which runs the surgery, said he would "like to think we are getting closer to understanding the problem". On 29 April, paramedics, firefighters, police and gas network engineers were called to the site in West Road after 16 staff said they felt premises reopened the next day, but closed again a week later as staff reported the same issues.A pharmacy and dental practice also operate in the Wellbeing Pharmacy ran a restricted service, with customers not allowed inside the shop and instead served at the door. John G Plummer and Associates dental practice reopened last Norfolk Medical Practice said the building - owned by a private landlord - had not undergone any recent works or alterations. Mr Knights added: "We had the contractors down on Friday afternoon looking at the sewers and pipes in and around the building and there's a couple of points of interest they want to explore further."They are going to come back on Wednesday to do some further investigation."What we are aiming to do, depending what happens on Wednesday, is looking at getting reopened by 16 June." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Caister Health Centre where staff fell ill remains closed
Caister Health Centre in Norfolk is to stay shut all next week, as health bosses try to find out why staff began to feel GP surgery and dental practice have been closed since 6 May when the site was evacuated as a precaution. The month before, 16 people were assessed by medics complaining of headaches and at the on-site pharmacy have been operating a restricted service, dispensing prescriptions at the door with the shop not accessible to the Knights, executive manager of East Norfolk Medical Practice that runs the GP service, said: "We will definitely remain closed at Caister next week." The practice has not given any details about its investigation, nor stated whether it has found any link to staff feeling 29 April, more than a dozen people complained about feeling ill, with four of those seeking attention at James Paget University Hospital.A week later on 6 May, the site was evacuated as a precaution with emergency services called again, as well as engineers from gas network operator Cadent and Anglian Water, which manages the sewer network. Neither found any G Plummer and Associates said it had deployed staff from Caister to its new dental practice in Bradwell, but said some Caister patients had asked for their appointments to be delayed until the site reopens. East Norfolk Medical Practice said it had deferred its patients to Newtown Surgery in Great Yarmouth, with other practices in the group also assisting in maintaining a statement, it said: "We will remain closed until further notice whilst the investigation continues."The investigation is ongoing and no conclusion [has been] reached." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
No date for reopening Caister Health Centre after mystery illness
Staff at a medical centre say it is too early to say when it will fully reopen while investigations into air quality issues Health Centre, in Caister-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth, comprises a GP surgery, dental practice and pharmacy. Both the GP and dentistry services have been transferred to other Wellbeing Pharmacy is operating a restricted service from the door, with customers not allowed inside the shop Knights, executive manager of East Norfolk Medical Practice (ENMP), which operates the GP surgery, said We are continuing to carry out appointments at Newtown [Great Yarmouth] and work with other agencies on the situation." The site was first evacuated on 29 April when 16 people felt shut again a week later on 6 May, with each practice saying it would remain closed until Monday to allow for tests. Mr Knights said the group had been in talks on Wednesday with other stakeholders following investigations by air quality contractors on added: "We are hopeful we will know more by the end of the week." The BBC was told by a member of the pharmacy staff that operating from the door had allowed them to dispense prescriptions and clear the backlog caused by the a statement, the company said: "The cause of this incident has not yet been confirmed to our head office."However, our staff were present at the entrance of the pharmacy, assisting incoming patients by handing out their medications and signposting them to the appropriate services."I want to emphasise that, despite the disruption, our pharmacy team remained committed to supporting the community. We recognise that people still need help, especially in challenging circumstances."Our staff and Wellbeing Pharmacy have been helping the community and I hope these efforts are appreciated by the community as well." A spokesperson for John G Plummer and Associates dental practice said a meeting was held on Wednesday morning involving the various stakeholders in the a statement to the BBC, it said: "To date, none of our staff have experienced any issues; any reports of feeling unwell have emanated from the doctors' premises and their staff. "We have a recently opened new practice at Bradwell and as a temporary measure we have relocated all our staff and are seeing patients from Caister there."Our staff and patients have been very understanding and appreciative of this short term alternative."Naturally not all patients have chosen to move locations, instead preferring to wait to be seen at Caister, [but] a large number have moved across." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
