BRANSGORE Medical Centre is closed for two weeks following a confirmed case of coronavirus within the medical practice which runs it.

It is one of two surgeries closed by Christchurch Medical Practice, which operates a total of four surgeries in Christchurch and the New Forest.

A spokesman for the practice confirmed that a team member, who works in a non-patient-facing role, had tested positive for coronavirus.

A deep clean has been carried out at all of its sites but, due to the number of staff members now forced to self-isolate for 14 days, the decision has been made to close two surgeries.

The decision affects thousands of patients and is likely to lead to disruption to appointments over the next two weeks.

In a post on Facebook a spokesman said: "All of the relevant branches have had a full chemical deep clean and tested negative.

"Following strict government guidelines and advice from Public Health England this has meant that quite a large amount of our colleagues have now also had to self-isolate for 14 days.

"This will mean, as a practice, we are operating under very limited resources. To maximise staffing levels on our phones we have decided to close our Bransgore and Orchard sites for the two week period from October 5.

"This may mean that over the next two weeks there may be some changes to appointments that are already booked as we move our clinics around the different sites to accommodate this.

"The phones will be answered as best we can but we are asking that if it's not urgent that you please leave them free for the clinically vulnerable and urgent medical needs to be able to get through as a priority."

Those without urgent needs are being asked to use the e-consult service on the Christchurch Medical Practice website.