AN MP has called for inspections on struggling surgeries in a bid to make sure patients are receiving proper care.

GP surgeries in Frinton and Walton have been stretched to breaking point due to a lack of doctors willing to take on permanent roles in the area.

Local MP Douglas Carswell has been meeting with surgery chiefs and patient participation groups and is campaigning to force improvement.

There are particular concerns over Frinton’s Caradoc Surgery, which is down to one permanent doctor.

NHS England is monitoring the surgery and hopes a new telephone booking system will reduce waiting times for appointments.

But Mr Carswell has also requested a formal inspection of the surgery by the Care Quality Commission.

He said: “Local people have a right to expect access to good primary medical care.

“There is no getting round it, we simply do not have enough GPs working locally.

“We have a local Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS England and the Care Quality Commission. But amid all the various bodies supposedly in charge, no one seems to take responsibility to try to put things right.”

Mr Carswell pledged to hold health chiefs to account and maintain pressure until improvements are made.