Health chiefs have been forced to cancel a number of community clinics on the Suffolk coast today due to rising concerns over flooding.

The East Coast Community Healthcare group has said all outpatient appointments at community hospitals in Great Yarmouth, Beccles, Halesworth and Southwold have been cancelled.

All podiatry, physiotherapy and neurology appointments at the following locations have been cancelled as well: Northgate Hospital in Great Yarmouth, Shrublands in Gorleston, Martham, Lowestoft, Beccles, Halesworth and Southwold.

A spokesman for the group said all leg ulcer clinics have not been affected.

“We are directly contacting all patients affected. If you have an appointment today and have not heard from us, please contact your clinic using your normal telephone number,” the spokesman said.

“We are taking this precaution because patients and public services in coastal areas are all preparing for the possibility of flood.

“We do not want to put patients at risk during stormy weather. And by cancelling these clinics our staff are able to make sure vulnerable patients at home are properly cared for in the case of future weather/flooding-related problems.”

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