Halstead's doctors’ surgery has been rated one of the worst in the region by patients, a new survey has revealed.

Based on overall satisfaction Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery, in Factory Lane West, was ranked third worst across all surgeries in mid Essex.

Just 56 per cent of patients rated the surgery as good, well below the national average of 84 per cent.

Last year the result of the NHS England Patient Survey also put the surgery in third from last, however 67 per cent of patients rated it good in 2017.

Of those surveyed this year, only 12 per cent said the surgery was easy to get through to on the phone.

About 71 per cent of people said the receptionists at the surgery were helpful.

Exactly half of those surveyed said they were satisfied with the appointment offered to them.

In contrast, planned care at the surgery was rated good by most residents, with 84 per cent saying they had enough support to manage their conditions.

A spokesman for the Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery said it hoped moves such as running morning surgery without the need for appointments and plans for surgeries across the Colne Valley to work together would help combat some concerns.

He said: “We are pleased to see positive ratings from patients around confidence and trust in our clinical staff particularly.

“But we do see from the results, as we have already heard from patients in other ways, that people are concerned about access to services.

“Many people think of their local GP as the first person to see when they need medical advice, which often means patients can struggle to get an appointment as quickly as they’d like.

“This is an issue across the area, and a GP colleague from Southend, Dr José Garcia Lobera, recently chaired a group to agree a strategy for changes to how GP practices work across the whole of mid and south Essex.

“The plans include making it easier for people to see other healthcare professionals, and for GP practices in an area like Colne Valley to support each other.

“Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery faces particular challenges as we are the only GP practice in the growing town of Halstead but we are working with the rest of the local NHS to help people get appointments with the right professional for their condition.

“That means they will be seen more quickly and GPs can focus on patients with the greatest need.”

Dr Shan Newhouse, of Sible Hedingham, spent 15 years as a GP at Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery.

She said she felt sorry for the staff at the practice who were under increasing pressure from forces often outside their control.

She said: “The results are due to a lack of government funding not down to a problem with the staff.”

Freshwell Health Centre, in Wethersfield Road, Finchingfield, was rated as the top surgery in Mid Essex.

Of those surveyed, 98 per cent said the surgery was good.

The Castle Surgery, in Falcon Square, Sible Hedingham, was also rated well above the national average with 92 per cent.

In total 84 per cent of patients said Pump House Surgery, in Nonancourt Way, Earls Colne, was good.