GP surgery fully reopens after flood damage

A significant leak on the top floor caused damage to the surgery in January

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent to refit and refurbish a doctors' surgery after flooding caused significant damage.

Honiton Surgery closed its doors in January after a burst toilet pipe led to collapsed ceilings, damage to 30 clinical rooms and a broken computer system.

Chris Cruise, manager, said as the biggest surgery in East Devon with 18,000 registered patients and between 80 to 90 members of staff, the "impact had been significant".

"The building works alone are between £200,000 to £300,000 and then we have equipment costs on top," he said.

Chris Cruise said patients had been understanding

"We had to change the way we work and adapt to having less rooms," Mr Cruise said.

He said staff had to share rooms, but patients had not been overly affected by the changes other than having to deal with the contractors, building works on site and reduced parking.

"People have been really kind and understanding and I hope now we have fully reopened, they will see the benefits.

"All of our rooms that were damaged have been brought up to what would be expected of a modern, clinical facility."

The refurbishment includes new flooring, sink and storage units and all the damaged equipment has been replaced.

Honiton Surgery said the repair and replacement costs were more than £300,000

Mr Cruise said: "At this stage we don't know what the final costs are going to be, but we are talking hundreds of thousands of pounds."

Although majority of the work had been completed, he said there was water damage to the stairs, and they were waiting on parts to repair the lift.

"We're a big surgery so it has been a lot to organise and whilst it has been a really challenging 10 months we are through it.

"We are left with a building which has been fully refurbished and fit for many years to come," he added.