A petition of almost 2,000 signatures calling for a doctors' surgery to be taken out of special measures is being handed to the head of the government's care watchdog.

Patients at Mocketts Wood Surgery in St Peter's in Broadstairs rallied round to defend the practice after the Care Quality Commission rated it inadequate last month following two inspections in the summer.

Inspectors warned the surgery could be closed if improvements are not made after they found a catalogue of failings, including not having appropriate equipment and medicines for an emergency, and not conducting appropriate checks on staff before appointing them.

One alarming finding was that the practice had not appropriately assessed, scoped, trained and supervised members of the clinical team to ensure they were operating safely and effectively.

But patients jumped to defend the Hopeville Avenue surgery, with one supporter, Tricia Buchanan, launching a petition calling on the CQC to take the GP facility out of special measures.

"We reached 1,911 signatures, absolutely amazing and a testament to just how good our GP practice is and how well they are supported by us, their patients," she said on the petition site.

"I attended their staff meeting and they wanted to pass on their sincere thanks for all the support and all the great comments.

"They have been working hard on all the outstanding items from the CQC report and are confident they have nearly all covered and are working on the rest.

"You all really boosted their morale as it is not a pleasant experience for them to go through and they are genuinely humbled by your support."

She says a copy of the petition is being handed to chief executive of the CQC Ian Trenholm and another going to the surgery as evidence to share with inspectors on their return.

Mocketts Wood was inspected in July and August and rated inadequate overall, but good for being caring.

It was graded as requires improvement for being responsive, but inadequate for being safe, effective and well-led.

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