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Health centre remains shut due to mystery illness

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromCaister-on-Sea
Andrew Turner/BBC Signs on the glass door at the Wellbeing Pharmacy within the Caister Health Centre site. They read: "Closed till further notice!!!" and "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the pharmacy is closed until further notice! If you require your prescription urgently, please contact your GP surgery or call 111. Apologies for any inconvenience caused"; There are also more permanent signs on the glass saying "Power assisted door"; "No pets allowed; Guide dogs and assistance animals welcome". Reflections of cars parked in the car park, and a wet floor sign and fire extinguisher can be seen on the glass.Andrew Turner/BBC
Four people took themselves to hospital with symptoms including headaches and tiredness two weeks ago

A health centre will remain closed as tests continue into air quality issues that have caused staff to feel unwell.

The site on West Road in Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk, which accommodates a doctors' surgery, dental practice and pharmacy, was first evacuated on Tuesday, 29 April when 16 people felt unwell.

The Caister Health Centre site shut again on Tuesday, 6 May, with each practice saying it would remain closed until Monday to allow for tests.

But in a statement issued earlier, East Norfolk Medical Practice, which runs the GP service, said: "We will remain closed until further notice whilst the site continues to be investigated."

Andrew Turner/BBC An ambulance parked outside Caister Health Centre, with the back door lifted open, and two police officers stand on the pavement. Two traffic cones are placed across the entrance to the medical centre car park, and a number of firefighters stand in the car park, with a fire engine on the car park outside the medical centre.Andrew Turner/BBC
Paramedics, firefighters, police and engineers from the gas and sewer companies sent to the Caister Health Centre last week

The first incident led to four people taking themselves to hospital with symptoms including headaches and tiredness.

But seven days later the site was evacuated by centre managers and emergency services called.

Checks by gas network operator Cadent and Anglian Water, which operates the sewer network, found no issues.

Contractors were appointed to investigate air quality, which led to the centre remaining shut.

One member of staff, who did not wish to be identified, told the BBC after the first incident they had windows and doors open because of hot weather.

But that the site was locked shut over the bank holiday weekend and when they returned to work on Tuesday, 6 May, it was colder and the doors and windows were shut, and staff began to feel unwell again, leading to the centre being closed until further notice.

The East Norfolk Medical Practice added: "This will take some time and we will likely remain closed for this week at least.

"We are arranging patient appointments to our other sites; we will always try and make this Newtown [in Great Yarmouth] where possible, which will be the majority.

"We will continue to contact patients to advise them of the information they require to attend. We ask patients to order prescriptions digitally or over the phone."

Andrew Turner/BBC The Well Pharmacy on the junction of High Street and Beach Road in Caister. The building dates from the 1950s and has Crittall windows on the upper storey, and a façade with large windows covered in a vinyl depicting families in a child-like drawing. Houses on High Street can be seen on the right of the image.Andrew Turner/BBC
The Well Pharmacy has asked for patience and understanding as it works to fulfil prescriptions on behalf of the Caister Health Centre pharmacy which remains closed

The closure of the pharmacy has put additional pressure on the Well Pharmacy in Caister, which has asked for patience due to increased demand.

It said most prescriptions could be collected at other pharmacies.

In a post on Facebook, it said: "Due to the unforeseen closure of Wellbeing pharmacy on West Road we have been inundated with prescriptions. We are trying our best to fulfil as many as we can.

"Unfortunately we do not have the ability to fulfil every prescription transferred immediately. This is due to both staffing levels and the need to often order items in that are required.

"We understand that this is frustrating for many people but we can only do so much. The past two days have been relentless and we have been working flat out.

"If we are unable to fulfil your prescription in the time frame required, we would appreciate your patience and understanding. We will endeavour to do so as soon as possible."

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