A GP surgery on the brink of closure after being put in special measures has been rated as “good” by the healthcare watchdog.

Dr Sukumaran and Partners, at Third Avenue GP Surgery, on Canvey, has made sufficient improvements so that its rating was raised by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission.

The GP surgery was rated as inadequate in November 2015, after safe and well-led criteria were inadequate, its effectiveness required improvement, and how caring and responsive it was were good.

It was put into special measures for six months. However, a further inspection in July 2016 found that not enough progress had been made and it was again put into special measures.

The lack of progress meant the surgery was on the brink of being closed by the CQC and patients rallied round to save their surgery.

Following an announced follow-up inspection, the practice was rated as good overall and in all criteria, including how safe, effective, well-led, responsive and caring it is.

The report reads: “We received 38 patient Care Quality Commission comment cards. All but one comment was extremely positive. The one negative comment did not identify unsafe care. We spoke with seven members of the practice patient participation group (PPG). The PPG were positive about the changes they had witnessed since our previous inspections.”

Tricia D’Orsi, chief nurse at NHS Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We are delighted that the hard work of the staff at Third Avenue has paid off. We have worked closely with the practice to support them during this stressful time.

“Patient feedback has remained positive throughout, which is testament to the great care provided at Third Avenue.”

Kath Daly, patient representative at the Third Avenue GP practice said: “This is great news, having been interviewed by the CQC as a patient representative, I am glad that the practice has now been taken out of special measures. We are lucky to have such great doctors, such as Dr Sukumaran on the island.”

Local councillor Peter May said: “This is fantastic news and I would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Third Avenue that work incredibly hard for their patients.” Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice for CQC said: “I am taking this service out of special measures. This recognises the significant improvements made to the quality of care provided by this service.”