A GP practice has been forced to shut after a 'major leak'.

Ladybridge Surgery shut yesterday  leaving patients concerned about their appointments and prescriptions.

It will be shut for the foreseeable future.

The Bolton News: Ladybridge Surgery part of the Bolton Community Practice

The surgery, on Broadgate, forms part of Bolton Community Practice, which put out a post on social media and its website informing patients of the sudden closure.

It stated: "We regret to inform you that Ladybridge surgery will be closed for the foreseeable future due to a major leak that started today and has deemed the building unusable.

"We will keep you updated as and when we have further information

"For any enquiries at all including prescription collections please ring the surgery on 01204 463444 and we will be happy to sort this for you

"We will be in touch with you regarding any appointments that have been pre-booked at the surgery asap

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

The surgery is prioritising appointments and rearranging appointments to other sites where possible.

Concerns have been raised that patients may not be able to get to the other sites."

And one posted in response to the social media post: "What's causing the leak, it was flooded a couple of years ago to. So where are we meant to go for pre-booked appointments?

Practice managers say that they will be in touch with patients regarding 'pre-booked appointments'.

On its website, Bolton Community Practice posted: "We regret to inform you that Ladybridge surgery will be closed for the foreseeable future due to a major leak that started today and has deemed the building unusable.

"For any enquiries, please ring the surgery on 01204 463444 and we will be happy to sort this for you."

Cllr Andy Morgan is urging the landlord of the building to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

He said: "I would hope Bolton NHS work with the landlord of the building and get the issue rectified as soon as possible as it causing a huge inconvenience to patients, many of whom are elderly, so it needs to be sorted as soon as possible."

Bolton Community Practice has surgeries in Little Lever, Astley Bridge and Chorley New Road.

Bolton Community Practice was contacted for a response.

Ladybridge Pharmacy - which is open as usual -has said it can support Ladybridge Surgery patients by providing medical advice and treatment on minor illnesses - including antibiotics where appropriate - under the Pharmacy First Scheme.

Illnesses it can help with are

Sinusitis (12 years+)

Sore Throat (5 years+)

Acute Otitis Media (1-17 years)

Infected Insect Bite (1 year+)

Impetigo (1 year+)

Shingles (18 years+)

Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women (Women 16-64)