A DOCTOR’S surgery says it is doing all it can to make improvements after it came bottom in an annual NHS survey.

Just 44 per cent of patients at Church Lane surgery, in Bocking, said they were satisfied with the services provided when responding to the survey.

Church Lane had the lowest rating across all surgeries in the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group’s area and was nearly half of the national average of 82 per cent.

Bosses at the practice, which is run by healthcare provider Virgin Care, admit they have plenty more work to do to meet patient requirements, but insist changes are being made.

Managing director Stephen Smith said: “While we have invested a great deal and our team at Church Lane have worked hard to improve the surgery, we know there is more to do and we are all committed to achieving this.

“Church Lane is steadily working through its improvement plan and we constantly listen to patient feedback. This has led to a number of initiatives being brought in, including the telephone system being improved resulting in calls from patients now being answered four times quicker than previously.

“More staff have also been recruited – including GPs, a clinical lead, advanced nurse practitioners, practice nurses and receptionists – and the centre is now regularly offering more appointments than are booked.

“Our teams have also put in a great deal of work over the past few months transforming the surgery so it can continue to see patients throughout the pandemic, either virtually or face to face, where appropriate.

“And, in its most recent inspection, inspectors for the Care Quality Commission said they could see we are putting improvements in place.

“We will continue to do this as we are committed to constantly improving patient care.”

The annual NHS survey saw the Kelvedon and Feering Medical Centre ranked second from bottom when it comes to patient satisfaction, with just 49 per cent happy with services.

At the other end of the table, Coggeshall surgery was the best in the region with 99 per cent of patients satisfied with services.

The Freshford Practice in Finchingfield was second with 95 per cent.

Just three surgeries in the Braintree district achieved a higher rating than the national average.