SOUTHEND’S struggling sexual health clinic was closed by bailiffs.

Sources close to the clinic told the Echo bailiffs went into the clinic in Thamesgate House, Victoria Avenue, Southend, on October 24, locking the site after the visit.

Southend Hospital has stated it is hoping to secure an order this week from the courts to be allowed back into the building.

The service was launched by Southend Council, Southend Hospital and Provide in April in order to deliver improved sexual health services.

But concerns were raised last month over the service, with reports of a two month wait for appointments and a stop on walk-ins.

It has been claimed that since bailiffs visited, no new appointments can be made and the walk-in service has been stopped.

Concerns have been raised about the problems with the service which, prior to the new partnership, had helped reduce Southend’s teen pregnancy problems.

Yvonne Blücher, Managing Director at Southend University Hospital, said: “Alternative clinic space for patients has already been arranged for the short term.

“All urgent patients have been contacted and will be seen as usual.

“The service did not run on October 24, but since then a service for clinically urgent patients has been running out of Southend Hospital.

“For this week, the service will run from Clinic 22, at Southend University Hospital, and Southgate House (premises already providing Sexual Health and Contraceptive services by Provide).

“Patients will be called by a clinician and triaged based on their clinical urgency, if patients are urgent they will be offered an appointment at Clinic 22 or Southgate House.

“We are expecting the court to grant relief this week to enable us to go back into the building.

“Southend University Hospital and Provide are working very closely together to try to resolve this issue as quickly as possible so as to minimise any disruption.

“Any patients who are concerned are asked to contact 0300 303 2693, which is the Intelligence Centre for this service, where all bookings are made.

“This is still open and patients can call there as usual.”