A DOCTOR’S surgery has been shut down by care inspectors to protect the safety of its patients.

Goodwood Court Medical Centre in Cromwell Road, Hove, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last week after it received complaints from the public.

It applied to Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to close the surgery and was granted the request. The surgery remains closed for the foreseeable future.

The CQC said it cannot release the details of the action because the surgery has 28 days to appeal.

A notice pinned on the door of the surgery read: “It is with regret that we have to inform you that Goodwood Court Medical Centre is unable to provide clinical services with immediate effect from June 9 2015.

“This follows urgent action by the CQC to protect the safety and welfare of patients.”

The notice added that NHS England was “taking urgent action” to guarantee care and was sending letters to all affected patients.

There are scores of negative reviews with patients complaining about lack of appointments and declining service on NHS Choices website.

Jim Logan, 62, of Grand Avenue, had an urgent appointment booked for yesterday at the surgery but was called shortly beforehand to say it had been cancelled.

The builder, suffering with back pain, said: “It’s a nightmare. You can’t just ring up and cancel like that. It’s a joke and it’s stressing me out.”

Another patient, Teresa Lipson, told The Argus: “I saw a doctor last Friday and there was no intimation of any imminent closure.”

A spokesman for NHS England South, responsible for providing alternative services, said: “NHS England’s priority is to make sure patients continue to access local GP services.

“NHS England is taking urgent action to ensure patients have access to safe, high-quality care in the longer term.”

Ruth Rankine, deputy chief inspector of general practice for the CQC, said: “We recently inspected Goodwood Court Medical Centre and, as a result of this inspection, CQC is now taking action.

“Where providers are not meeting required standards, we have a range of enforcement powers we can use to protect the health, safety and welfare of people who use this service."

The CQC will publish a full report of its inspection in due course.

FACTFILE

NHS England will be writing to all affected patients to explain the necessary closure of Goodwood Court Medical Centre to guarantee patient safety and how people will be able to continue to access local GP services.

Patients who need to see a GP can go to the Brighton Station Health Centre, which can provide treatment.

People can also get medical help or advice by calling NHS 111.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, patients should continue to call 999.