PATIENT services have been cut at a Bournemouth GP surgery after a member of staff contracted coronavirus.

Poole Road Medical Centre has confirmed that a member of the Dorset private GP Clinic, based at the site, has tested positive.

In a message to patients, a spokesman said: "They are not in a patient-facing role and are therefore no additional risk to you, our patients.

"Unfortunately this means a number of our staff have also had to self-isolate for 14 days. We have had to reduce some of our patient services and we are asking for your understanding if we are unable to deal with you as quickly as we would like."

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The practice, near Bournemouth town centre, is also suffering technical issues with its phones leading to frustration for patients.

The spokesman added: "Our phone lines are busy, busy, busy. We are having some technical issues. We are so sorry. If you need to speak to us today please keep trying."

Those with a medication or prescription query are asked to go to the prescriptions page on the centre's website where they can request repeat prescriptions by signing up to the NHS APP.

For non-urgent matters, patients are asked to please use theonline E-consult service where they can expect a response within 48 hours.