A GP surgery has been placed in special measures by a health watchdog.

Dr Alvar Krishnan's surgery based in Kent Elms Health centre was branded "inadequate" on Thursday following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission in January.

Inspectors found some parts of the surgery were "visibly dirty" and medicines had not been stored correctly.

The report said: "The procedure for dealing with medical emergencies were not recorded and available to staff to refer to as needed and there was insufficient equipment to support patients in a medical emergency."

The surgery had failed to carry out disclosure and barring service checks and clinical staff, including nurses, had not had current registration checked. The report added staff were also not adequately trained in dealing with medical emergencies.

The surgery was praised by its staff and patients however.

In a survey staff at the practise said they were supported and patients said they were treated with compassion. Patients found it easy to make appointments with a doctor of their choice and emergencies were seen the same day.

The commission nevertheless said if improvements weren't made in six months the surgery would have it's registration removed. However, as it had taken so long for the organisation to deliver its report the surgery was given a chance to show the improvements it has made in the intervening months.

The commission has come under fire for branding surgeries inadequate over administrative and red tape failings.

Surgeries, which must have the inspections also have to pay upwards of £2,000 for them