Legionella bug delays £41m health centre opening

The opening of a new £41m Sussex health centre has been delayed after inspectors found legionella bacterium in the heating system.

The Worthing Integrated Health Centre was due to open in January after being built on the site of a former car park in Stoke Abbott Road.

But bacteria which causes the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease was found during tests on the heating system days before the new health centre was due to open.

A spokesperson for Worthing Borough Council said they expect issues to be resolved “within the next couple of weeks”.

The purposed-built health centre, which has already been delayed several times, was designed to house a GP practice, along with mental health facilities, dentists, community care and pharmacists.

Currently only the pharmacy is using the building.

A council spokesperson said: “An issue with the heating system of the Integrated Care Centre meant that low levels of bacteria were discovered in tests carried out at the building.

“It is not uncommon for traces of legionella to be found in the water systems of new buildings.”

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ diseasee are similar to pneumonia and include fever, muscle pain, headache, shortness of breath, and a dry or productive cough.

Water-based exposures are more likely to be fatal.

The original budget for the project was just under £34m.