A PENDLE doctor’s surgery has scooped a top national award for its patient care.

Whitefield Health Care, based at Yarnspinners Primary Health Care Centre, Nelson, won the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Quality Practice Award.

Only around 200 GP practices out of approximately 8,500 in England have won the award, which takes two years to achieve.

Dr Aziz Khan, who founded the practice 40 years ago, said: “I was thrilled and excited when we were told we had got the award.

"It is such a great honour. I’m really proud of all the staff who have worked so hard, but it wouldn’t have happened without the vision and driving force of my business manager, Nigat Sultana, who has worked in my practice since she was 16.”

To receive the award, a practice must provide evidence displaying its quality performance in categories such as clinical care, communi-cation, practice management and prescribing.

An on-site assessment is then arranged during a normal working day and staff interviewed.

More than 100 people attended a presentation at Ewood Park, inclu-ding staff, patients and NHS East Lancashire managers.

Dr Mike Ions, GP at Pendle View Medical Centre in Brierfield and chairman of NHS East Lancashire’s Professional Executive Committee, said: “I have been a GP in the area for 30 years and Dr Khan’s practice has always had a fantastic reputation.

"It is wonderful to see formal recognition of that. They have shown how it should be done.”

Dr David Webborn, RCGP faculty member and Pendle View Medical Centre GP, presented the award.

Whitefield consists of two partners, Dr Aziz Khan and Nigat Sultana, two locum doctors, Dr Jabran Ali and Dr Taufeeq Ali, plus nursing and admin-istrative staff.

Dr Khan added: “As well as being a wonderful reward and morale booster for our staff, this award is great news for our patients, who remain our greatest priority.”