A doctor’s surgery that faced closure has been placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Deanhill Road Surgery, East Sheen, was due to close on February 20 after Dr Antoine Sayer, who runs the practice, told NHS England he wished to terminate his contract.

The surgery was given a temporary reprieve, with the closure now earmarked for March 31.

But the practice has been dealt another blow after a team of inspectors from the CQC rated it as inadequate for being safe, effective and well led, but good for being caring.

Inspectors found patients were at risk of harm because systems and processes were not in place to keep them safe and staff did not feel supported by senior managers, who rarely attended the surgery.

Ruth Rankine, deputy chief inspector of general practice, said: "While patients told us they were treated with compassion and dignity, we found numerous issues in relation to safety, with no adequate systems to monitor and respond to risks.

"We were told that one management team were responsible for running two practices, but they rarely attended Deanhill Surgery. There was a distinct lack of oversight. We found that staff were not being supported to do their jobs, there was little involvement from senior managers in the day-to-day running of the practice.

"We have found significant areas of concern, which is why we are placing the practice into special measures - and so opening the way to support from NHS England.

"In the meantime we will continue to work closely with NHS England and the Richmond Clinical Commissioning Group to make sure that all the patients at Deanhill Practice receive the care that they deserve."

The inspection was carried out in October and the report was published on Thursday, March 5.

Two consultations will provide patients with information about the future of GP services operating from Deanhill Road Surgery.

The events are at Seymour House, Sheen Road, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Monday, March 9, and at Sheen Lane Centre from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday, March 11.