A NOTORIOUS doctor's surgery will remain in special measures despite seeing its rating improve.

Braintree’s Church Lane Surgery has been given an overall rating of "requires improvement" by Care Quality Commission inspectors.

The surgery had previously been rated inadequate following their previous visit back in December.

During the latest visit, which took place on March 28, inspectors found the surgery was 'good' in the safety category and required improvement in other areas, such as the effectiveness of the service, the care on offer and how the surgery was led.

However, inspectors rated the responsiveness of the service as inadequate.

In their report, which was published last week, they said: "We acknowledge the improvements made since the last inspection. However, insufficient improvements have been made such that there remains a rating of inadequate in the responsive domain.

"The service will be kept under review and another inspection will be conducted within six months and if there is not enough improvement, we will review the position and consider whether there is a need to take further action."

After being rated inadequate last year, the service provider at the surgery, Virgin Care, put together an improvement plan to address the CQC's concerns.

Since the plan was drawn up, Virgin Care says more staff have been appointed and the telephone system has been altered to free up more appointment opportunities.

Head of Primary Care Chris Pearson said: "We are pleased that the inspectors have acknowledged the improvements that have already been made by our hard working colleagues such as an improved telephone systems and more staff.

"We are pleased we have turned around the measure for safe services to a ‘good’ rating in less than eight months and, in the past two months, 85 per cent of patients surveyed said they would recommend Chuch Lane surgery.

"We do recognise there is still work to do to reach the standard we want for patients at the practice and we are committed to our long-term improvement plan.

"We are determined to gain at least a ‘good’ rating overall for Church Lane Surgery which is what patients there rightfully expect and deserve."