PATIENTS will be treated in a temporary clinic from next week while a New Forest health centre undergoes a £2m face-lift.

Staff at Ringwood Health Centre are preparing to move to a temporary location while the new centre is built at the existing site in the heart of the town.

The new building, which will be ready in just over a year's time, will offer a broader range of services, including more treatment rooms and an on-site pharmacy.

The practice, which is currently located at The Close, Ringwood, will move to premises around the corner at Carvers Field this weekend.

The temporary centre will be open for business as usual at 8am on Monday.

The present accommodation has been outgrown by the practice, and health bosses believe it is no longer appropriate for the demands of the modern NHS.

Practice manager Stephen Antill said: "The building was originally occupied by five GPs and one nurse but the practice has expanded considerably and is just not suitable for the demands now placed on it.

"We currently have nine GPs, five nurses and run daily outreach clinics on behalf of Salisbury District General Hospital.

"The layout of the building means that GPs and other staff have found it increasingly difficult to provide the level of service they would like.

"The move to temporary accommodation will be a considerable improvement and of course the prospect of a brand new health centre at The Close is something we are all looking forward to."

The health centre will remain in its temporary accommodation for 15 months, with its range of services and facilities staying unchanged.

Its telephone and fax numbers will also remain the same and patients should contact the practice in the usual way.