Health inspectors have taken urgent action to shut down a Redditch GP surgery after an unannounced inspection raised grave concerns about the safety of patients.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) was granted a court order on Wednesday to cancel the registration of Woodrow Medical Centre after an unannounced inspection on March 14.

The surgery, near Studley Road, had previously been rated ‘good’ following an inspection in September.

But the GP practice will no longer be able to provide clinical services with immediate effect after concerns about unsafe practice and insufficient staffing.

In the meantime, an interim team of local doctors has been drafted in to continue providing appointments.

“The Care Quality Commission has taken urgent legal action to cancel the registration of a Worcestershire GP practice, in order to protect the safety and welfare of patients,” said a CQC spokeswoman.

“On Wednesday, March 21, CQC was successful in its application to Redditch Magistrates to cancel the registration of The Woodrow Medical Centre in Redditch, with immediate effect.

“This means the practice can no longer operate a GP service from the premises.

“CQC took this action because it had serious concerns about the service and the risks it presented to patients.

“An unannounced inspection was carried out at the practice on March 14, where concerns were found in relation to unsafe practice, insufficient staffing, a lack of clinical leadership and a failure to manage risks.

“We are working closely with partner agencies including NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS England to ensure patients continue to receive the service they are entitled to.”

The Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG has advised patients to contact the surgery as usual, where they will still have access to appointments and prescriptions.

In the meantime, the CQC say that they will publish a full report of their investigation in due course, and could take further action against the GP surgery.

They added: “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 services. We will publish a full report of our inspection in due course, including details of action we have taken.”