A failing GP's practice has slashed its appointment waiting time in half.

In April a Care Quality Commission inspector visited the High Street Surgery in Epping.

Amongst a raft of flaws they uncovered were two chaperones who were not DBS checked, staff not trained in emergency procedures and receptionists who gave clinical advice to patients and assessed their need for an appointment without the proper medical qualification.

Perhaps most shockingly, reception staff were unable to offer appointments to patients they were concerned about as the waiting list stretched to four and a half weeks.

The damning findings landed the practice in Special Measures and earned it a follow up inspection on September 11.

In the more recent report Professor Steve Field found much more attention was being given to patients, with complaints now recorded properly and a participation group formed

to obtaining meaningful feedback about the services offered.

He wrote: "There were now more clinical sessions.

"The next appointment with a GP was in less than two weeks’ time.

"This demonstrated improvement as at our last inspection, there was a four and a half week wait for a

routine appointment with a GP.

"There were now regular meetings with other healthcare professionals to discuss patents of concern."

Prof Field also found more attention was being given to staff.

Before "morale was low" and "openness, honesty and transparency" were lacking.

While the report does not specifically say whether these issues have been corrected, staff were now receiving the correct training and a new, more effective governance structure had been put in place.

Despite the improvements, the surgery will remain in Special Measures until a more extensive inspection is made.