by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

A health centre is expected to be closed for the next two weeks after a major water leak led to the collapse of its ceilings.

Firefighters were called to the Keystone Centre, in Gun Lane, Strood, early on Sunday after a nurse called for assistance.

She had arrived to hear fire alarms going off.

When crews arrived, they found the floors flooded with two to three inches of water and ceilings in parts of the building had collapsed.

A crew from Strood isolated the water and power supplies just after 7am.

They described the leak as a major one.

It was caused by a faulty pipe in the loft and the water badly effected a dental suite in the building.

It is thought it will take about four weeks to get the dental suite back up and running.

Jill Norton, assistant director property at NHS Medway, said: “The Keystone Centre is closed today because of a leak from a faulty pipe in the roof over the weekend.

“We regret the inconvenience and are working hard to get services back to normal as soon as possible.

“We anticipate most of the centre reopening in about two weeks, although it will take a further two weeks or so before the dental suite is repaired.

“Patients with appointments are being contacted directly by Medway Community Healthcare staff about alternative arrangements.

“We are fortunate that the leak was reported on Sunday by two district nurses from Medway Community Healthcare who went to the centre as part of the dedicated service provided in the community to people in Medway.

“This prevented further damage occurring.”