Fire leaves Surrey GP practice significantly damaged

A GP practice in Chiddingfold, Surrey has been left damaged following a fire at around 3am on 7 January.
 
The fire significantly damaged Chiddingfold surgery, which as a result is now closed, but no fatalities nor injuries to patients or staff were reported.
 
A number of residents from houses nearby the practice were evacuated, according to a statement by Surrey Police.
 
According to a spokesperson for Guildford and Waverley CCG, it is not yet known how long it will take to restore services at Chiddingfold surgery, as a full assessment of the site has not yet been completed.
 
Alternative arrangements were put in place for patients who had an appointment at the practice yesterday and today, and the CCG is considering plans to deliver the GP services from alternative premises in Milford starting from later this week.
 
However, the CCG specified that this is ‘a limited service for the next few weeks’, until long-term plans are finalised.
 
A spokesperson for NHS Guildford and Waverley CCG said: ‘Patient security has been of the upmost importance. Clinical records are stored electronically and have been for many years and so these have been unaffected by the fire and remain accessible to the GP Surgery.
 
‘Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service have been on site for the past 24 hours, with the site being cordoned off to prevent unauthorised access to the site, including any potential unauthorised access to confidential patient information affected by the fire.’
 
The spokesperson added that the practice will get in touch with patients to rearrange routine appointments as soon as possible.
 
In a statement on its website published on 7 January, the practice wrote: ‘During the early hours of this morning, Chiddingfold surgery caught fire.
 
We will update patients as soon as we have further information. We are working closely with Guildford and Waverly CCG to have a service up and running soon.’