A GP has vowed to make 'rapid improvements' at Oulton Medical Centre, near Lowestoft after inspectors put the practice into special measures- stating it was not adequately providing safe, well-led and effective services.

A report published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), gave the practice an overall rating of 'inadequate' and placed it in special measures for six months.

It comes following an original inspection which took place in March.

During the visit, the CQC highlighted required improvements to ensure the practice was consistently delivering care which was safe, effective, well-led and responsive to the needs of its 5,300 patients.

The report also found some areas of good practice, saying patients felt involved in their care and were satisfied with the treatment they received.

Oulton Medical Centre's second branch, at Marine Parade, has been closed since it flooded.

Since then, that part of the practice has been operating from Kirkley Mill Health Centre.

Dr Kausar Khan, of Oulton Medical Practice, said: 'I understand that patients may be concerned about this report. We have gone through difficult times, with one of our sites flooding at the end of 2013. We have also found recruitment challenging due to the area we work in.

'We are working with NHS England to make rapid improvements. We have appointed a new part-time partner who will be joining us in May for two days a week, as well as a nurse and practice manager. We have also brought in a consultant who is helping us to implement the improvements the CQC has identified.

'We are committed to making changes as quickly as possible so that we can reassure our patients and ensure the special measures can be lifted at the earliest opportunity.'

Cath Gorman, director of quality and safety with HealthEast, the clinical commissioning group for Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: 'Our first priority is our patients, and ensuring the services they receive are safe, effective and responsive to their needs.

'As such, we were very concerned to read the CQC's inspection report regarding Oulton Medical Centre.

'The CQC has identified a clear list of compliance actions which the practice must address, which includes improving risk management arrangements, ensuring high levels of cleanliness, reviewing recruitment policies and providing more robust support to staff.

'We are working with NHS England, which commissions the GP service, to make sure rapid improvements are made, and have offered our support wherever necessary. We want to make sure patients registered with the practice can have full confidence in their health service.'

Any patient with concerns about the practice should contact HealthEast's PALS team on 01502 719567 or by email at GYWCCG.PALS@nhs.net