A VILLAGE surgery has been praised after a health watchdog identified several areas of outstanding practice.

Buckshaw Village Surgery was rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after it was found to be safe, effective, caring and well-led following an inspection.

It was rated 'outstanding' for responding to people's needs.

Inspectors found there was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system for reporting significant events.

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice, said the surgery had good facilities, risks to patients were well managed and staff assessed patients' needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.

The practice was also praised for the high standards of infection prevention while patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and found it easy to make an appointment with their named GP.

Professor Field added he saw several areas of outstanding practice including organising clinical education events at the weekend, working closely with the retirement community and offering a daily point of care service for blood monitoring.