Frustration over health centre bacteria delays

The opening of Worthing's new Integrated Care Centre has been delayed after legionella bacteria were found in the heating system

A council has spoken of its frustration at the continued delay to the opening of a health centre after legionella bacterium was found in its heating system.

The Worthing Integrated Care Centre was due to open in January after being built on the site of a former car park in Stoke Abbott Road.

But bacteria which causes the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease was found during tests on the heating system days before it was due to open.

Construction firm Galliford Try has declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Worthing Borough Council said: "It's vital all these safety issues are fixed before the building opens to the public."

"We understand how frustrating the delays are for everyone. We're frustrated too."

The council said contractors were "continuing to work through issues that need to be dealt with before the building can open, including the presence of legionella bacteria in the water supply and a fault with the water system".

The construction firm is contractually responsible for the design, construction and compliance of the water system, according to the council.

The council said: "The problems with that system have been complex and the contractor has accepted the system back into its control to sort out.

"They have installed a new, larger water pump in the building which it hopes will resolve the issues."

'Fully safe and functional'

A council spokesperson added: "We want to be clear - we won't accept the water system back until it is demonstrably fully safe and functional, so our NHS partners can move in and patients can be seen there."

The purposed-built health centre, which has already been delayed several times, was designed to house a GP practice, along with mental health facilities, dentists, community care and pharmacists.

The original budget for the project of just under £34m had risen to £45m by March.

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