Flooded Farnham GP practice keeps all appointments despite closure

A Farnham GP practice says it has not cancelled a single appointment despite one of its two sites being forced to close due to a water leak.

Farnham Dene Medical Practice's Lower Bourne site, on Lodge Hill Road, was found to have flooded when staff arrived for work, practice manager Sue Woods confirmed.

"The flooding is caused by a water leak from a pipe, so everything is being undertaken to ensure safety. I can’t reopen the facility until I have power and water for staff and patients" she said.

Because the practice operates across two sites, patients due to be seen at Lower Bourne have instead been redirected to Farnham Dene's other surgery, Farnham Centre for Health on Hale Road, with staff and clinicians also relocated.

"Despite the closure it is not that our patients do not have cover," Ms Woods said. "All patients have been seen, there's been no cancellation of appointments at all."

Contractors are currently assessing the site to establish what work is needed before it can reopen, Sue expects there is a possibility that the Bourne site partially open early next week.

"I can't give an update as to when we will be open but I have spoken to the team and we may be able to get the site partially open on Monday." Ms Woods said, adding that patients have been kept informed by phone and text message, alongside updates on the practice website and social media, and signage has been put up at the closed site directing patients to the alternative location.

Ms Woods said the practice's priority had been communication with patients throughout, and appealed for public understanding.

Farnham Dene Medical Practice has been contacted for further comment on when the Lower Bourne site is expected to fully reopen.