A PATIENT has spoken out to defend a Bridgwater GP surgery that was rated "inadequate" following an inspection.

Sonia Greenslade, 47, has been with Dr C J Lewis, also known as Victoria Park Medical Centre, for 21 years.

On April 21, a CQC report was published stating that the medical centre was 'inadequate' and must improve.

Sonia claims Victoria Park has provided her with 'so much support' and even believes she would not be alive today without the practice.

"I came to Bridgwater 21 years ago as a very vulnerable lady," she said.

"I had escaped an arranged marriage with my cousin and was very frightened and had no trust in anyone.

"I came through the refuge and signed up with Victoria Park and I have never been able to fault them.

"The doctors and nurses helped me trust again and were very good with vulnerable families like mine.

"My son is terminally ill as a result of my forced marriage and the practice has been so supportive."

Sonia says Victoria Park have 'given her everything.'

"Without this centre, I wouldn't be alive today," she added.

"My mental health has been so hard over the years and have tried to commit suicide, but the doctors have been amazing.

"Before I came here, I was too scared to even talk to a doctor but the ones at Victoria Park taught me to trust again.

"They've helped me be strong and have courage and I can't thank them enough.

"I'm so grateful and I know things are hard with NHS cuts, but it's hard everywhere and another practice may have just put me on antidepressants and not listened to me.

"I feel so strongly about this as the centre helped so many vulnerable women like myself and their families as they offered me everything.

"My daughter had to take a year out of uni to look after me things were that hard.

"It would be nice if the community stood up for this practice together because I don't agree with the report.

"This surgery saved my life."

Following the inspection, England’s chief inspector of general practice has now put the centre into special measures for six months.

The specific areas of the care of older people, people with long term conditions, families, children and young people , working age people, people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable and people experiencing poor mental health were all rated as inadequate.

A spokesperson from Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group said: "As the national inspector of health services in this country, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is responsible for objectively reviewing the quality and safety of all health services, including those provided by family doctors.

"Their inspection reports are intended to help improve the quality of service by providing comparative information about health organisations and GP practices.

"Providers of health care can learn from the best performing organisations and improve the quality and experience for their patients.

"Each year a national patient satisfaction survey is conducted for every GP Practice.

"Results from this survey consistently show the majority of patients have a good experience of treatment and support."