A TROUBLED GP surgery is finally getting a fresh start after being taken over by an established medical centre.

Grafton Road Surgery, in Long Road, Canvey, was closed down suddenly by the Care Quality Commission after the agency visited it in June. Inspectors were so concerned by some of the failings they found they immediately took out a court order to shut the surgery, which has 6,000 patients.

Dr Saida Noorah, who ran the practice, was placed under investigation by the General Medical Council and had a string of conditions placed on her GP registration.

Despite attempting to appeal, the decision was upheld.

The GP Healthcare Alliance, based in Benfleet, stepped in bring Grafton Road up to scratch - re-opening it and ensuring that it meets legal requirements.

After efforts to improve the services proved successful, the Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) put the contract to run the surgery out to tender in May - giving other surgeries and doctors the chance to take it over.

The grouo has now announced that from Monday, July 31, the services at the GP surgery will be provided by Ashingdon Medical Centre, in Lascelles Gardens, Ashingdon.

Patients already registered at the GP surgery do not need to do anything,

All services will continue to be delivered within the existing Grafton Road Surgery, based in the Canvey Primary Care Centre, in Long Road.

A letter sent to residents, signed by accountable officer an Stidston, reads: “Castle Point and Rochford CCG has been working to make sure that a permanent provider is put in place so that patients can continue to access high quality services at Grafton Surgery.

“Ashingdon Medical Centre already has an excellent track record of successfully delivering NHS services within the Rochford locality.

“We are confident that they will continue to deliver a quality service for our local community.”

The practice staff will remain the same as they were under the GP Healthcare Alliance.