IMPROVEMENTS are being made at a surgery which was previously branded “the worst in the UK”, according to an MP.

Braintree MP James Cleverly visited Church Lane Surgery to check up on an action plan put in place by bosses at the Virgin Care-run surgery.

Earlier this year, watchdogs said they were satisfied improvements were being made after it was put in special measures last summer.

Service manager Christian Ellwood said: “We were pleased to welcome James to Church Lane to show him how we have been implementing our comprehensive improvement action plan.

“He met many of the service team including our new permanent GP, Dr Tom Bevan.”

Mr Cleverly said: “I visited Church Lane Surgery to follow up on the concerns which have been raised with me by constituents.

“I was pleased to see improvements have been made by the management team, including better call-handling and quicker telephone answering, and increased availability of appointments.

“The new leadership team is clearly keen to maintain these improvements.”