DOCTORS in Malmesbury are providing outstanding care to the people of the town, according to watchdog the Care Quality Commission.

Malmesbury Medical Partnership, also known as the Malmesbury Primary Care Centre, in Priory Way, was found to be safe, effective, caring, responsive and giving local people a well-led service after it was inspected in March.

Practice manager David Grogan said: "I was extremely delighted to hear that we had been given the Outstanding rating as it showed that the CQC inspection team recognised and acknowledged the hard work done by everyone at the surgery.

"This is a very welcomed and deserved 'pat on the back' to all the team here and they should be very proud indeed of what they have achieved."

Ruth Rankine, deputy chief inspector of General Practice in CQC's south region said: "Our inspectors observed a strong patient-centred culture and found many positive examples to demonstrate how patients' choices and preferences were valued and acted on.

"There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels and the practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on."

The practice had made significant ground on diagnosing and treating patients with dementia, working with the practice's care co-ordinator, the Alzheimer's Society and a psychological course for patients and their carers.

As a result of their work, they reduced waiting times for assessment, diagnosis and time to start treatment from 12 months to one month. It has also reduced the number of patients requiring referral to secondary care by 65 per cent.

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of General Practice said: "I am delighted to highlight the exceptional service at Malmesbury Medical Partnership. People are entitled to services which provide safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care.

"The GPs and staff at Malmesbury Medical Partnership 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 practice to be outstanding."

A number of innovative practices were commended by the commission, such as the GPs' involvement with local providers and organisations to initiate an in-house elderly frail service and working with the local wildlife trust to develop opportunities for patients with mental health problems.