It could be six weeks before a mental health clinic reopens after bacteria which cause Legionnaire's disease were found in its hot water system.
The bug, Legionella pneumophila, was discovered on September 27 in the separate Villa block at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
The block, which houses many of Mid Sussex NHS Trust's mental health facilities, was evacuated on Monday and 36 patients were transferred to other psychiatric facilities in the county, Kent and London.
Richard Penney, director of planning, performance and communication, said patients were likely to be allowed back in about six weeks.
He said the trust was looking at all the solutions and would have to make changes to the water system.
It is the first time the bacterium has been discovered at the hospital.
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