A doctors’ surgery in Ipswich has been pulled out of special measures by the health watchdog and rated ‘good’ following its latest inspection, demonstrating an “incredible turnaround” in less than a year.

Professor Steve Field, chief Inspector of general practice for the Care Quality Commission (CQC), said Hawthorn Drive Surgery had made “significant improvements to the quality of care”.

In November 2016, the practice was rated ‘inadequate’ and placed into special measures after inspectors determined patients and staff were at risk of harm.

Last year’s report found “non-clinical staff were expected to clean body fluids without their Hepatitis B immunity being checked”, and the surgery was not complying with guidelines to protect people from legionella bacteria.

As a result, the CQC was required to carry out regular follow-up visits to Hawthorn Drive Surgery to make sure it was fixing problems.

Following the latest inspection in July 2017, the watchdog gave the practice an overall rating of ‘good’.

Patients feel like they are treated with dignity and respect, clinical audits are being completed, risks to patients and staff are assessed and well managed and the practice is working well with other agencies, the report noted.

Dr Sheila Adefuye, GP partner at the practice, said: “It is certainly pleasing that we have been rated ‘good’ by the CQC and this could not have been achieved without the hard work of our staff and the support of our patients.

“Over the last six months we have worked to address the issues raised in last year’s inspection report. Our patients can now be confident that their GP practice is doing an effective job in supporting local people to live healthy and happy lives.

“We will continue to work with patients and staff to gain their feedback to ensure this CQC rating is maintained and that the practice continues to be asset to the local community.”

Dr Imran Qureshi, chairman of the clinical executive of Ipswich and East Suffolk NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This is an incredible turnaround and I am proud of how the practice acted speedily and effectively to address the issues raised. The CCG will continue to work with and support the practice in delivering the very best primary care services.”