A DOCTOR'S surgery was shut down suddenly over fears prescriptions were administered late and a doctor was not co-operating with a health authority, it has emerged.

Dr Andrew Watts "had not engaged with NHS England" and prescriptions had "not been actioned when needed," the Care Quality Commission (CQC) alleged when it asked magistrates for permission to close Goodwood Court Medical Centre's doors.

The Cromwell Road centre in Hove closed for the "safety and welfare of patients" on Tuesday last week. But The Argus has since exclusively learned the reasons behind the CQC's application, made under section 30 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 at Brighton Magistrates' Court. The surgery has just under three weeks to appeal the decision.

The news comes as some patients said problems should have been investigated earlier.

Former air hostess Amber John first registered with the practice in 1995 but claimed she complained in 2011 after her repeat prescriptions for treating mental health conditions including anxiety and bipolar disorder came late.

The 37-year-old, who now lives Portslade, said: "You're not meant to miss a single dose of anti-depressants because it can mess with your moods but my repeat prescriptions came late. I remember crying down the phone and begging for the prescription. There was no urgency, I felt like I wasn't being taken seriously. I was lucky I had the support of my family."

She said running a horse rescue centre in Bolney and turning to The Priory hospital in New Church Road for treatment instead has aided her recovery.

Her comments come as Hove MP Peter Kyle questioned whether the CQC could have acted sooner.

The CQC cannot yet go into detail about its latest findings but a spokesman said it brought forward its recent inspection and previously acted on patients concerns when it visited the centre in January last year.

But Nicola Fisher, 41, a patient of 20 years, defended the surgery. She said: "I have no complaints about them at all. Dr Watts has always been very kind and caring and goes the extra mile to help. I was stunned when I heard what had happened. I couldn’t believe it. I have had so much support.”

Dr Watts could not be contacted directly and the Medical Protection Society could not confirm or deny if it was acting on his behalf. NHS England did not respond to requests for a comment.