Health centre evacuated after 16 staff fall ill

A specialist ambulance team was sent to treat 16 people who fell unwell at a medical centre in a seaside village.

Caister Health Centre said it closed while emergency services investigated "reports of a small number of staff members feeling unwell".

The East of England Ambulance Service sent its hazardous area response team (HART) to the practice in West Road in Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, at 11:30 BST.

Staff members went to hospital as a precautionary measure but had now been discharged, a spokeswoman for the centre said.

"We have had no linked reports from patients and it is believed there is no wider risk to the public," said the health centre, which is a branch of the East Norfolk Medical Practice.

"The practice will reopen tomorrow as normal so patients should continue to attend appointments unless they are otherwise informed."

HART paramedics are trained to give care within hazardous environments, such as consequences of infectious diseases.

The ambulance service also sent two ambulances and two ambulance officer vehicles.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said the area was made "safe".

The four people who took themselves to hospital were not believed to have serious injuries, the fire service said.

"An investigation into the cause is ongoing but there is not believed to be any wider risk to the public," a fire spokesperson said.

The fire service stood down from the incident at 13:46.

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