'Outstanding' GP surgery wins care provider award

GP Partner Dr Faris Al-Ramadani, with practice manager Lindsay Ward, said they prioritised cutting waiting times

A GP surgery in Warwickshire has been named community care provider of the year.

St Wulfstan Surgery in Southam was described by judges as "one of the most outstanding practices in the country" at the Health Service Journal's (HSJ) annual awards.

Judges said praised the surgery, which has about 11,000 registered patients, for "maintaining the quality, outcomes and experience at the highest levels" while the number of patients had "boomed".

Dr Faris Al-Ramadani, GP partner at the practice, said they felt privileged to win and worked hard for their patients.

“As a surgery we have always worked extremely hard to deliver the best possible care to our patients, and have been keen to continue to develop and innovate our service to better help patients," he said.

"We feel privileged to support our community and this HSJ award is a fantastic recognition of this service, and the brilliant relationship developed between our practice, staff and patients.”

Speaking after being shortlisted in September, Dr Al-Ramadani said the practice had prioritised cutting waiting times by operating out of hours and training reception staff to point patients towards appropriate care.

HSJ said 1,351 entries were received across 26 categories for this year's awards, with 235 organisations, projects and individuals being shortlisted.

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan congratulated the surgery amid an "outstanding calibre of applicants" this year.