A DOCTORS surgery claims the building it rents from Basildon Council has become unsafe and is no longer fit for purpose.

Staff at the outstanding Knights Surgery, Laindon claim the building has deteriorated since it took over the site in 2013.

Current issues include damp walls, uneven floors and the fact that the building is sinking.

Doctor Subrata Basu, a partner at the surgery, claimed patients are constantly complaining about the state of the building and they are also very concerned.

He said: “There are various issues with the building that we believe make it unsafe.

“There is damp on the walls of the building, which we believe is due to damage issues caused because the fact that the building is sinking.

“The flooring of the building is also sinking it has become very uneven, there have even been incidents where people have almost tripped in the last few months.

“We understand that it is a structural issue that needs to be fixed. We are in contact with Basildon Council on a regular basis about this but nothing seems to be getting done to sort out the issues.”

In 2016 the surgery was named as one the best surgeries in south Essex for patient satisfaction.

The GP Patient Survey, which is commissioned by the NHS and undertaken by polling company Ipsos MORI, found that patient satisfaction at the surgery was at 98 per cent.

The surgery is concerned the issues with the building could damage this good reputation and the level of care they are able to provide for patients.

Dr Basu said there are issues with water draining away from the roof due to the problems with the building sinking.

He said: “The building is small and made up of two small rooms.

“The issues with the buildings are getting serious now.”

“Patients are telling us that they think the building has become unsafe at the surgery and we are worried about them.”

Back in 2013, the Echo reported how the surgery was at risk of being closed down after its sole GP, Dr Andrew Holman, handed in his resignation to the primary care trust.

However, Dr Basu and his team came to the rescue of the surgery, much to the relief of the patients at the surgery and the treatment provided has been highly praised ever since.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “Our buildings management team will carry out an inspection of the building to establish what works need undertaking by the council to bring it back into a reasonable state of repair.

“As stated in the terms of the lease held with Basildon Council, some of the issues raised may be the responsibility of Knights Surgery.” A date is yet to be fixed.