GOVERNMENT inspectors have rated a Knutsford medical practice as 'outstanding' in some key areas.

While the Manchester Road Medical Centre, was deemed as 'good' in terms of safety, effectiveness, caring, responsive to patients needs and well managed, it was deemed as 'outstanding' in a report published by the Care Quality Commission's (CQC), GP practice expert, Professor Steve Field.

The centre provides GP services for more than 7,000 townspeople shared among five doctors, a practice manager, nurses, healthcare assistants, administration and reception staff.

The practice also provides training to junior doctors.

The centre's outstanding practice included it working creatively with commissioners, neighbourhood practices and community organisations and implementing initiatives which improved patient care which included Caring Together, a system of joined up health and social care.

The CQC said the centre's management articulated its vision and values to staff, patients and the public. In turn, it valued and invested in its staff and motivated them to provide an excellent service to patients.

The services rated as 'good' included elements such as maintaining patient safety, patients needs being properly assessed, patients spoke positively of the practice and the individualised care they were given, practice monitoring, evaluating and improving services.

Joan Carpenter, practice manager at Manchester Road Medical Centre, said: "We are pleased to receive the grading from the CQC recognizing that our care for the elderly is outstanding.

"We take great pride in ‘going the extra mile’ for all our patients.

"We believe in the ethos that the patient comes first, treating every patient as an individual and tailoring their care to their specific needs and we work closely with our staff, listening to their problems and improving working conditions to ensure that the working environment is conducive to providing a caring and responsive service.

"We endeavour to provide excellent care despite GP surgeries being subjected to unremitting pressure."