HEALTH bosses have pledged to work with doctors to improve surgeries that have been deemed at risk by watchdogs.

The Care Quality Commission has published a full list of GP surgery ratings.

The figures showed a significant divide between the Tendring district, where half of practices are deemed at risk, and the neighbouring Colchester borough, where 17 out of 20 surgeries received the highest possible rating.

A spokesman for NHS England in Essex said: “We welcome this report which shows that despite the increased pressure on GPs, there are so many good practices across the local area.

“The new data will also help local GPs to understand where improvements can be made to services.

“We will continue to work closely with local practices and now await the outcome of the forthcoming inspections by the Care Quality Commission.”

Dr Maureen Baker, Royal College of General Practitioners chairman, believes recruitment of new doctors is vital to close the gap in quality between practices, like those in Tendring and Colchester where there is a stark difference.

She said: “Every patient has a right to expect high quality and consistent care from their local GP practice, and it is crucial that we urgently address any variations in quality of care.

“It must be also be recognised many practices are struggling to meet quality standards due to factors beyond their control, such as lack of funding, significant increases in patient consultations and difficulties in trying to recruit sufficient GPs to meet patients’ needs.”