Patients are at risk of unsafe care, vital emergency equipment is missing and GPs did not clearly understanding how to deal with blood test results, according to a damning report into a Sutton health practice.

Dr Hafeez and Partner, also known as the Sutton Medical Centre in Carshalton Road, was classed as "inadequate", the lowest possible rating, after being investigated by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission and will now be placed in special measures.

Deputy chief inspector Ruth Rankine said: "Patients should be able to expect high quality and consistent care from their GP practice.

"It is important that the people who are registered with Sutton Medical Centre can rely on getting the high quality care which everyone is entitled to receive from their GP.

"While patients we met spoke highly of the care they received and the practice was found to be caring, we also found some significant areas of concern.

"I do not believe that the practice is likely to resolve its challenges without external support.

"This is why we are placing the practice into special measures.

"With the right support, I expect this practice to be transformed.

"After a period of six months we will inspect again to check whether sufficient improvements have been made.

"If we find that the service provided by this practice remains inadequate, we will consider taking steps to cancel its registration with CQC."

The centre was inspected on January 20 with results, published on March 26, showing that patients were at risk of unsafe care, the practice did not have equipment to use in emergencies such as oxygen and an automated external defibrillator and that no risk assessments had been carried out.

The report also found that the practice manager and GPs were not clear about the policy for dealing with blood test results and other clinical tests, and staff were not always clear about their responsibilities or the vision or strategy of the practice.

The Sutton Guardian has made several approaches to the centre and to Dr Hafeez for comment, neither have taken the opportunity.

Click here to read the full report.

Do you use this medical centre? Contact the Sutton Guardian at newsdesk@suttonguardian.co.uk