A GP surgery has been forced to close due to “extensive water damage”.

The Greensand Health Centre in Boughton Lane, Loose, is not expected to reopen until after the New Year.

An announcement on its website says it made the “difficult decision” to temporarily close the building while “drying out and reinstatement works are completed”.

It said: “Mainly due to the workload of the contractors we envisage that this work could take several months to complete, therefore we do not realistically expect to be able to reopen at Loose before the New Year at the very earliest.

“All appointments at these premises will cease to operate from the evening of Wednesday, November 8.”

The centre has a main branch in Heath Road, Linton, as well as the one in Loose.

Patients with pre-booked appointments will be contacted directly and may have to visit the other surgery to be seen.

The reception and prescription service is set to continue until the main repair works start.

Those registered can still post prescription requests into a wall-mounted box, which will be collected daily and processed as normal. All samples must be taken to the Linton surgery.

“We do appreciate this temporary closure is less than ideal for our patients, but unfortunately as we are sure everyone can appreciate for reasons of safety, both in terms of clinical, and health and safety, this is the correct course of action,” the notice went on to say.

“That said, we do also hope by closing the premises the works can be completed quicker allowing us to reopen as soon as practically possible.

“We do appreciate this temporary closure is less than ideal for our patients...”

“Of course, we will continue to keep you informed of the progress of the works and when we hope to re-open this branch.

“We will also take this opportunity to heavily invest in these premises so when we do re-open you will hopefully see a much improved surgery.”

Greensand Health Centre recommends those who can’t drive should get in touch with charity Involve and Kent County Council for community transport.

It will also offer telephone consultations for patients.