A DOCTORS surgery practice manager has been recognised at a top awards do.

Ann Neville has been awarded Practice Manager of the Year 2017.

The manager at Darwen Healthcare was presented with the award at this year’s General Practice Awards held in London las month.

The General Practice Awards have been designed to recognise, highlight, and reward the hard work and innovation that gets carried out every day in surgeries throughout the UK.

At the ceremony Ms Neville was described as a 'practice manager who has developed systems and processes that allow safe working'.

A spokesman said: “She has up skilled and maximised their workforce resulting in improved staff morale and job satisfaction.

“They have seen an improvement increase in patients' health as a direct result."

Ms Neville said: “I feel honoured to have firstly been nominated, shortlisted and then absolutely delighted to have been selected as the winner of this award.

“I have to say that without the support of the whole practice team I would not be able to do the job that I do and therefore this award is for them as well.

“I also feel it is important to say how proud I am to work in general practice in Blackburn with Darwen and highlight the amazing work that gets completed on a daily basis in the GP practices within our area.

“There are so many changes within general practice at the moment and it is an exciting time with many new roles starting to emerge such as clinical pharmacists and physician associates.

“We have in fact recruited our first physician associate who should commence in post mid-February 2018 and it will be interesting to see how these type of roles play their part in general practice.”

Dr Malcolm Ridgway of NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG said: “I’m delighted that Ann is receiving the recognition that she deserves.

“She is an innovative and hardworking practice manager and has moved the practice on enormously, with the Care Quality Commission rating them as outstanding."