Calls have been made for Enfield Council to “pull its finger out” after a litany of shortcomings was discovered at a new medical centre and library .

The Ordnance Unity Hub, on Ordnance Road, Enfield Wash, opened its doors in late December 2014 which included a library, GP practice and an area to perform minor surgery.

However, a number of serious building mistakes have been found, resulting in NHS England ruling that minor surgery can not yet be performed at the site.

Carmen Lange, a member of the patient group for the hub, told the Enfield Independent of the plethora of issues the new site has faced.

She said: “There are so many faults that have not been met by anyone. They go from screws too short for the doors so the doctors' consulting rooms have no door handles.

“All the emergency locks are on the same side of the doors, not on opposite sides of the doors so someone could drop down dead and no one could get at them.

“The ceiling tiles have had a huge impact because it is linking with North Middlesex Hospital and they are meant to be doing minor surgeries here. That was the point of building this complex, to take pressure off A&E.

“They have put the tiles in the wrong place, I mean, how stupid is that? It means that they cannot operate in those theatres and that results in no bookings and no treatment.”

While praising the work of the GPs, Ms Lange claimed almost 150 people needing minor surgery have been turned away, putting more pressure on A&E as well as damaging its reputation.

She said: “The people who are running this trust are losing face with the people they had got in to do these operations. Everyone will blame the doctors but it’s not their fault.

“We were really pleased with the plans and this is going to be the jewel in the crown but it is losing reputation because of major shortcomings. Someone needs to pull their finger out and sort these problems out quickly because we cannot have another three months like this.

“The disabled toilet has the lock on the outside and not on the inside which is a joke.

“People have to use the staff toilets because the sewage system of the main toilets are causing a disgusting stench.”

Enfield North MP Nick de Bois wrote to the council expressing his concerns of the hub’s issues.

He said: “Frustration has boiled over because all these issues are being pushed from pillar to post and no one has taken any responsibility.

“This is bad project management and no one has taken responsibility and that is the most disappointing thing.

“I am afraid the environmental system for sewage has failed, the smell is unacceptable even at 8am when I visited.”

A council spokesman said: “The specification for Ordnance Unity Centre was set by the NHS and the centre met these standards when it opened in December.  The healthcare providers have since revised the specification, which has resulted in changes being made which will be completed shortly. 

“As with any new building a small number of teething problem have been identified.  These issues have either been addressed or are in the process of being addressed by our contractors.  

“Ordnance Unity Centre is a valued community resource and has been well used by the local residents since it opened its doors in December.”