A CANVEY GP surgery has been ordered to close leaving thousands of patients in the lurch.

The Grafton Surgery, located in the Canvey Primary Care Centre, Long Road, has been suddenly shut down by the Care Quality Commission.

It comes after the watchdog applied to Southend Magistrates’ Court for an urgent cancellation of the surgery’s registration on Monday.

Every care provider in England must be registered with the commission in order to practice.

Inspectors visited for an unannounced inspection last Tuesday and Wednesday,.

The commission quickly announced it is “taking action to protect the safety welfare of patients at Grafton Surgery.” It has 6,193 patients.

A spokesman said: “As a result of our findings, urgent enforcement action is being taken.”

However, the commission was unable to disclose any more details about the case, but added a full report would be published in due course and all decisions are open to appeal.

Mum-of-two Amy Spicer, 20, of Sanders Road, Canvey, has been a patient at the surgery for 15 years, but is “not surprised” it had been closed.

She claims that over the past four years proper checks have not been carried out on her son Logan-Thomas, four, or Leyton-Jay, 18 months, and that the surgery even lost her prescriptions.

Miss Spicer added: “It’s going to be a nightmare and it’s very concerning it has been closed.

“A lot of people have said they have had problems as well. I think they’ve kept it to themselves and haven’t kept us informed about what’s been going on.”

The surgery’s patients will now be seen at Oaklands Surgery, which is located on the same floor at the Canvey Primary Care Centre.

Miss Spicer added: “It will cause a problem for the other surgery, as it is already difficult to get an appointment – there are too many people on Canvey and not enough GP surgeries.”

Tricia D’Orsi, chief nurse of the NHS Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group, has stressed it would keep disruption to patients minimal.

She said: “I know some patients may be concerned and I want to reassure anyone affected that patient safety is paramount to us.

“We are working with our partners to make sure every patient receives care they are entitled to.”

Patients should continue to attend or book telephone appointments as normal. For repeat prescriptions go to the Oaklands reception.

An information service has been made available for patients affected.

They can call 0300 500 1895 for advice and support.