Rumours have been quashed that a methadone clinic is to open on a housing estate.

The clinics dispense a heroin substitute to patients trying to reduce or eliminate their use of the drug.

Messages posted on Facebook suggested one would be set up by Saffron Way Health Centre when it moves to its new premises in Quartz Way.

But business manager Donna Clarke says that is not true.

NHS Property Services also confirmed ‘no such facility will be set up at the new site’.

Mrs Clarke said: “I don’t know where this has come from. It’s not something this practice has ever provided since I’ve been working here which is three and a half years now. We’ve never even considered it.

“Having said that we wouldn’t want patients who have a drug addiction to feel they’re not welcome at our surgery.”

Staff and a patient list of around 8,000, will relocate to the new building on January 23.

An ambulance bay has been provided in front shops opposite the site offering direct access for patients on a stretcher.

The practice was managed by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) but was taken on by Dr Mark Pasola in July 2006 after it was left vacant by retirement. He went on to develop it by bringing together the former branch at 9 London Road, Sittingbourne, and a merger with the late Dr Claude Morrish at 31 London Road, Sittingbourne.

Temporary accommodation was provided for the new practice at Saffron Way and later replaced in 2008 with new, modern and larger cabins purchased by the PCT.

The intention was always that the site would not be permanent pending the development of a new purpose-built surgery.

Once open the new centre will provide a GP practice, delivering primary care services.

There are 7,000 residents living in the area but that number is set to grow due to new housing developments. As a result there is capacity for additional patient registrations.