A GP surgery which let an unqualified nurse administer vaccines to children has been put into special measures.

The Care Quality Commission branded Dr Tony Nasah’s surgery, based at the Dipple Medical Centre, in Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, as inadequate.

Inspectors, who visited in June, told the practice it needs to improve in five key areas- how well-led, effective, safe, caring and responsive it it.

They found there were no records to show infection control procedures had been adhered to, and there were not enough staff to enable to surgery to run smoothly.

In a report, published on Tuesday, a spokesman for the commission, said: “The practice nurse had not been appropriately authorised to administer childhood vaccinations through the use of Patient Group Directions.

“Nursing staff were unable to demonstrate they had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver some aspects of effective care and treatment.

“Training records were also unavailable on the day of the inspection.”

Dr Tony Nasah’s practice currently has 3,844 patients on its books.

Inspectors found there was insufficient staffing provision to cover in the absence of the practice nurse, with delays responding to enquiries when the practice manager was unavailable.

The report added: “The practice appeared clean and tidy.

“However an annual infection control audit had not been conducted at the practice.

“The appointed infection control lead had not received training to undertake the role and there was an absence of documentation to demonstrate when, where and how rooms and equipment had been cleaned.”

The results of the national GP patient survey found that patients felt the practice was performing lower than average- especially in terms of how much time their doctor gave them.

The surgery will be reinspected by the commission within the next six months.

If no improvements are made enforcement action could be taken and the surgery could be closed down.

The Echo contacted the surgery for comment but did not receive a response.