SOUTHEND’s sexual health service was forced to leave its premises after failing to pay the rent, it has been revealed.

In October, the Echo reported how the struggling sexual health clinic was closed by bailiffs who went into the clinic in Thamesgate House, Victoria Avenue, to lock down the site. Users subsequently complained of a two-month wait for appointments.

Following the eviction, Southend Hospital, which launched the service in April after winning a two-year contract with Southend Council to run the service with community care organisation, Provide, said it would seek a court order to regain access.

However, a report to Southend councillors on the scrutiny committee, which is due to meet next week, revealed the reason for the eviction was non-payment of rent.

The report states: “On October 24, 2019 the landlord issued a forfeiture of lease notice due to non-payment of rental invoices and staff were locked out of Thamesgate House that day.”

The hospital said those whose appointments were delayed were offered alternative appointments and additional Saturday clinics were held at the Queensway Medical Centre.

The report also reveals there had been further issues with Thamesgate House with the landlord preventing access to the building after 6pm via the main door. The hospital says it is carrying out an investigation into the problems.

Clare Burns, director of operations at Southend Hospital, said: “Payment was not made due to human error. We’ve now put an automatic payment process in place to ensure this situation never happens again.

“As soon as we were made aware of the issue of payment being sent to the wrong place, the rent was paid on the same day.”

The service has helped reduce Southend’s teen pregnancy problems - which had previously been high but dropped to 18.6 conceptions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 17.

Trevor Harp, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “The issue with rent payment was an operational matter, whilst our concern was for the ongoing care and treatment of our residents.

“We worked closely with our NHS and Provide colleagues to make sure arrangements were in place for people requiring an appointment, whether urgent or routine, to have access to the services they needed until the matter was resolved. “