A DOCTOR'S surgery in Kidderminster will be temporarily closed and relocated after asbestos was found in the building’s cellar.

GPs and practice staff at Linden Avenue-based Stanmore House Surgery, which has a registered list of 8,000 patients, will be based at the Hume Street Medical Centre, Hume Street, for about four weeks from November 4.

The temporary move will all essential maintenance work to be carried out on the original site.

Dr Chris Chamberlain, one of the GP partners at Stanmore House Surgery, said: “During recent maintenance work, asbestos was found in the cellar at Stanmore House.

“The asbestos was immediately contained in-line with Health and Safety Executive regulations and the cellar was closed off.”

He said the move to Hume Street would “enable us to provide on-going healthcare for our patients” and added: “I would like to reassure everyone there is no danger to any patients who have visited our surgery in recent months.

“The asbestos was identified and assessed on the same day and has been safely contained until the removal work starts in November.

“During October, letters are being given out to patients and local pharmacies will also be handing out information to patients collecting their prescriptions so as many people as possible are aware of our move to temporary accommodation.”

Practice manager Shirley Mackay added: “We will be working hard to maintain our service at all times, however we would ask patients please be aware there may be some delays due to an increase in the number of telephone calls.”

She said doctors would be moving back into Stanmore House as soon as all of the work was completed and confirmed the Health and Safety Executive and Care Quality Commission had been informed of the move.

From November 4, Stanmore House patients wanting to make an appointment with their GP should call 07516 850104, 07516 850529 or 07516 851796.