Work on Worthing Integrated Care Centre was due to be completed in December 2023 but Adur & Worthing Councils have announced its opening has been delayed again due to a rediscovery of the bacteria.

Construction company Galliford Try told the councils the bacteria had been eradicated in April, after spending months working on the system, installing new equipment and setting up new water management processes inside the building to try to resolve the issues following the first discovery.

An Adur & Worthing Councils spokesperson said: ‘We won't accept handover of the water system until Galliford Try can demonstrate that the system is fully safe and functional and that NHS tenants can occupy the building and treat patients safely.'

In a March 2026 update, Galliford Try said: ‘Galliford Try has been assisting Worthing Borough Council to bring a conclusion to the issues that have affected the water system at Worthing Integrated Care Centre. We continue to work with WBC to bring the building back under their control as soon as possible.'

Contacted today by HM, the company said it had no further comment.