Local care returns after health centre closure

Eastfield Medical Centre was closed following a flood in June and could stay shut until next year

People who have faced round trips of up to 12 miles for health care after their local medical centre was closed in the summer due to flooding are to be offered treatment much closer to home.

Eastfield Medical Centre (EMC), near Scarborough, was shut in June and is not set to open again until March.

Since the flooding, which damaged electrical equipment, patients have been treated at clinical rooms offered by St Catherine's Hospice at its site in Newby, six miles away.

However, after the issued was raised in parliament by Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, a range of medical services are to be provided at St Cecilia's Day Centre, which is located just 350 yards (320m) from the EMC site.

Labour MP Ms Hume said: "The situation is intolerable for so many people, patients and staff included.

"That's why I've been working hard to make the right people aware of what is going on, so they can help those who are feeling the brunt of this."

St Cecilia's Day Centre is about 350 yards (320m) from Eastfield Medical Centre

A spokesperson for EMC said the St Cecilia's Day Centre would provide a range of services, including blood tests, long-term condition reviews, stitch and clip removals and other routine care appointments.

Discussions were taking place regarding the possibility of a second clinical room at St Cecilia's to help "further increase local access to care", they said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a surveyor visited the EMC site last week to assess the damage caused by a second flood in September.

The EMC spokesperson said staff were now "awaiting his report to determine the next steps required to move forward with repairs".

Mike Padgham, St Cecilia's executive chairman, said: "We will be very happy to help for as long as it takes and pay tribute to Eastfield Surgery staff for the way they have pulled out all the stops to continue the vital services, and Alison Hume as well for her efforts."

Services would also continue to be provided from temporary locations, including St Catherine's Hospice, Lawrence House Medical Centre and Brook Square Surgery, the EMC spokesperson said.

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