A SURGERY has re-opened for the first time in six months after it was damaged in a fire and flood.

York Medical Group’s 32 Clifton surgery was devastated when a fire to a water heater in a cupboard burst a pipe last December.

Patients were forced to go elsewhere to see a GP, including practices in Water Lane and Tower Court, but they are back in business after the reception area and clinical rooms were renovated.

The group was able to send its patients to other locations after it merged with Clifton Medical Practice and Petergate Surgery in July last year to become the city’s second largest GP operation.

Dr Alice Fraser, a GP partner based at 32 Clifton, said: “We do appreciate it has been a challenging time for our patients in particular.

“Being part of a bigger group really helped during this crisis. We were able to relocate our staff to Water Lane and Tower Court and, on the whole, our patients appreciated the options to attend other locations while 32 Clifton was undergoing repairs.

“Our main objective was to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of care for our patients. On behalf of all at York Medical Group, and especially GPs and staff at 32 Clifton, we are delighted to announce we are now fully operational, and we look forward to welcoming you back at 32 Clifton.”

During the closure, York Medical Group launched their new Urgent Care Centres after patients were struggling to find same-day appointments.

The Urgent Care Centres, based at Tower Court, Monkgate, Acomb, Woodthorpe, Water Lane and 32 Clifton, are open from 8am to 6pm.

They allow doctors to manage the same-day demand for appointments in a new way, which they say is successful. It has also reduced waiting times for routine appointments. Contact details, opening times and online appointment booking is at www.yorkmedicalgroup.co.uk