Worthing Health Centre Opening Delayed by Legionella Concerns

The opening of the Worthing Integrated Care Centre (WICC) has been delayed due to the continued presence of legionella bacteria in its water supply, over two months after the initial discovery.

Worthing Borough Council confirmed that the town’s new health facility remains closed to NHS tenants while investigations and remedial actions continue. The centre, located on the former council car park in Stoke Abbott Road, was handed over to the council by developers in December 2024, but final snagging and defect resolution have since been hindered by persistent water safety issues.

The WICC is intended to house a variety of NHS services, including GP care from Worthing Medical Group, dental services from Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, and mental health support from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Its design supports minor surgical procedures and integrated care delivery. However, delays mean these services are operating from temporary sites, and the council is covering running costs and losing parking revenue from repurposed spaces.

The project, in planning since 2017, is now forecast to cost more than £45 million, funded through long-term borrowing. The council has convened all parties involved – including the developers, NHS tenants, and managing agents – to resolve the issue urgently. A report on the situation will be discussed by the Joint Strategic Committee of Adur & Worthing Councils on 3rd April 2025.