A new survey of patients has revealed Halstead’s Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery to be rated as one of the worst in the region.

Just 56 per cent of patients said they would rate the surgery as good, while only 12 per cent said the surgery was easy to get through to on the phone.

While concerns about appointments was high on the list, patients could not fault staff or receptionists.

The Halstead surgery is under considerable pressure as the only GP practice serving the ever-growing town.

To their credit, bosses know getting access to services is a issue for patients and are working on how to improve this.

They are hoping to expand the surgery and work with other GP practices to help patients get treated as quickly as possible.

The issues facing the surgery are being felt up and down the country.

GPs have recently held a meeting on strategy for changes to how GP practices work across the whole of mid and south Essex.

The reality is our GPs, nurses and surgery staff are doing the best they can in challenging circumstances.

It is not an easy fix, but kudos to the surgery for being proactive.