"High-risk" GP surgeries in Croydon are to be prioritised for inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Eighteen practices, most in the north of the borough, will be examined first after being labelled the highest levels of concern by the health watchdog.

The CQC assessed every doctor's surgery in the country using 38 indicators, such as flu vaccine rates and patient satisfaction to grade each from one to six in rankings published last week.

Those in banding six are deemed the lowest risk while those graded one and two, the highest risk levels, will be fast-tracked for inspection from next year.

Eighteen of Croydon's 54 practices have been graded one or two, meaning twice as many of the borough's practices have been assigned the worst rankings compared to the national rate.

Nationwide 15.6 per cent of 7,660 have been deemed high risk, compared to 31 per cent in Croydon.

Twenty-one of the borough's practices, or 42.5 per cent, are considered the lowest level of risk by the CQC - compared to just under half across the country.

South Norwood Hill Medical Centre, deemed the biggest cause for concern Croydon's practices, was among the 50 most at risk nationally.

But the ranking have angered some doctors, who argued publishing the data before doctors have been inspected could mislead patients. 

Dr Tony Brzezicki, chair Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group, of which the borough's GP surgeries are members, "The CQC have made it clear that inspections have not yet been carried out, and this data is not a judgement on the quality of care being given by a GP practice."

He added: "The CCG is already working closely with our GP members to drive up standards and improve the quality of care patients receive.

"Our local GPs have developed clinical networks where they are taking responsibility for commissioning health services targeted where they are most needed, focussed on their patient’s unique needs and delivered closer to home."

Under the CQC's new inspection regime, each GP surgery in England will be awarded a rating of outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate within two years. 

Your Local Guardian: Dr Anthony Brzezicki, chairman of Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group

Dr Tony Brzezicki, chair of Croydon CCG, said data should not be taken as a judgment on practices

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice, said of the rankings: "It is important to remember that the data is not a judgement as it is only when we inspect we can determine if a practice provides safe, high-quality and compassionate care.

"The data is a further tool that will help us to decide where to inspect and when."

But Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, said: "Publishing data with no context about a GP practice before inspectors have even arrived will at best confuse patients and at worst mislead them.

"The information does not take into account the differing circumstances GP practices operate in, including levels of deprivation in the community they deliver care to."