Flooded medical centre may stay shut until March

Eastfield Medical Centre - closed by a flood in June 2025 - could stay shut until spring 2026

A medical centre closed by two floods may not reopen until March 2026 - more than nine months since it initially shut.

Assura, landlords of Eastfield Medical Centre, near Scarborough, said the second flood at the end of September had "added complexity".

"It required a new assessment of the building and necessary repairs, which has affected progress," a spokesperson explained.

The initial closure in June forced patients to travel for appointments and Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby Alison Hume described the ongoing situation as an "emergency".

Hume added that a site offering temporary services in the area was "urgently needed".

The centre has been offering some appointments at St Catherine's Hospice in Newby which is six miles (9.6km) away.

Former NHS worker and patient Diane Pickup said for many people that was too far - especially for people with disabilities.

She said some mobility scooter users had been quoted £38 for a round-trip in a taxi.

Ms Pickup said a temporary solution in Eastfield would cut the number of people having to get taxis.

"They have to find alternative sites closer to Eastfield and they need to do it quickly," she said.

Diane Pickup says she has been asked to make a 12-mile round trip for blood pressure tests

In a statement, the centre's managers said they were aware the alternatives are "not ideal", especially for those who found travel problematic.

"We are doing all we can to bring services back to Eastfield," the statement said.

Both Hume and an NHS official have told the BBC that the centre may remain shut until March.

"The staff are working very hard in very difficult circumstances. This seems to be an issue with the landlord," Hume said.

The MP said she had been briefed by health minister Stephen Kinnock on Monday following a meeting about the issue last week.

"I'm delighted to say he's going to be talking the NHS England and the Integrated Care Board to see if there's any way they can do more to support the patients," she added.

'Alternative arrangements'

Assura did not give a date for reopening but said the company understood the impact it was having on patients and staff and was fully committed to "supporting its reopening" as soon as possible.

A spokesperson said: "We continue to work closely with contractors, insurers, the practice team and local NHS organisations to ensure repairs are completed safely and efficiently.

"In the meantime, we are supporting with alternative arrangements for patient care, which are being co-ordinated by the practice to ensure continuity of services."

Craig Marchant-Derrick, from the independent watchdog Healthwatch North Yorkshire, said the group was aware of concerns about delays with care and difficulties contacting the centre since the closure.

He said they would continue to gather feedback from patients and would raise their concerns with NHS and GP practice leaders.

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