PATIENTS of Roundstone Surgery in Trowbridge are receiving outstanding care according to the Care Quality Commission.

As part of the Lovemead Group Practice, the doctor’s surgery was inspected at the start of May and in areas of effectiveness, leadership and responsiveness to patient’s needs, it was given the highest award available.

The surgery in Polebarn Road, which serves over 17,000 patients, is managed by seven GP partners who have welcomed the accolade.

Dr Jo Harden, who has worked at the practice for 15 years, said: “It is a team effort and we are absolutely delighted that the CQC recognises our efforts.

“I think we are only the third practice in Wiltshire to be rated outstanding so the award is unusual. We are just happy that our hard efforts have paid off.

“We are always looking to improve our primary care services in Trowbridge and respond to what the patients want."

Inspectors cited many areas of outstanding practice including the surgery's young person’s sexual health clinic, No Worries, where teenagers with a sexual health need can be seen on the same day, even if they are not registered with Lovemead.

The report said: “The building of trust and rapport with this group of patients had led to them accessing services at the most appropriate time. The proactive engagement of the practice with this service since 2004 had contributed to the overall teenage pregnancy rate for the Trowbridge area being reduced by 50 per cent in the past 18 years. The practice was continuing to work to improve this service to become a young people friendly accredited practice.”

Other innovative features include a dermatology clinic and efforts to meet stop-smoking targets. The report praised its latest results which showed that Lovemead had the highest percentage of patients (82%) in the whole of Wiltshire who had stopped smoking.

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice at the CQC, said: “The GPs and staff at Lovemead Group Practice have demonstrated a real commitment to their patients.

“All of this hard work and dedication pays off in making a real difference for their patients – which is why we have found this surgery to be outstanding.

“I hope other trusts will see this as a model for excellent care.”