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Surgery where staff fell sick may open this month

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromCaister-on-Sea
Andrew Turner/BBC The sign outside Caister Medical Centre - which has since been renamed Caister Health Centre. The picture shows the signage with flowering weeds growing nearby. The section of red brick wall leads to a wooden fence, which is partially covered in ivy, with a tree growing above. The Caister Health Centre buildings can be seen to the centre left of the image; a 1980s two-storey building, built of red brick with hipped tiled roofs. Windows and air conditioning units can be seen.Andrew Turner/BBC
A doctors' surgery, pharmacy and dental practice operate at Caister Health Centre

A doctors' surgery is expected to remain shut for another fortnight as investigations continue to work out the source of air quality issues.

The GP practice at Caister Health Centre has been closed since 6 May after several staff reported symptoms of tiredness and headaches.

Contractors have been called in to assess air quality, including issues thought to emanate from drains or sewers.

Jonathan 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".

Andrew Turner/BBC An orange chair with a piece of printed paper, stating: "Do not cross!". It is placed in the entrance door of the Wellbeing Pharmacy. Signs can be seen at the window, and the aluminium-framed door is propped open. A red fire extinguisher and a yellow hazard warning sign are visible inside the shop, on the left of the image.Andrew Turner/BBC
Pharmacy staff cleared the backlog of prescriptions by serving customers at the door

On 29 April, paramedics, firefighters, police and gas network engineers were called to the site in West Road after 16 staff said they felt unwell.

The 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 building.

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 week.

East Norfolk Medical Practice said the building - owned by a private landlord - had not undergone any recent works or alterations.

Andrew Turner/BBC Jonathan Knights is wearing a blue checked shirt and a blue round neck knitted jersey. He is standing outside the Newtown Surgery, where a sign states: "A branch of the East Norfolk Medical Practice. Telephone 01493 745050" and shows the logo and name of the Day Lewis pharmacy and the pharmacy green cross logo. Andrew Turner/BBC
Executive manager Jonathan Knights says he hopes the GP surgery will reopen on 16 June

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."

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