A VILLAGE surgery has retained its 'outstanding' rating from health watchdogs following a review.

Coggeshall Surgery, in Stoneham Street, was awarded the highest rating in December 2019 and has held on to its status after a review in November.

The Care Quality Commission, which regulates care providers, said it had not found any evidence an inspection or reassessment of its rating of the surgery is needed.

It means the centre in Coggeshall held onto its outstanding rating in the effective, caring, responsive and well-led categories.

It also scored good in the safety category. The practice was ranked good overall in August 2015, before the improvements led to the new ranking in 2019.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth, chief inspector of primary medical services and integrated care and who carried out the most recent inspection, said it drove the delivery of “high-quality, person-centred” care.

She said patients received a “truly holistic” approach to assessing, planning and delivering care and treatment which met their needs.

Staff were praised for their consistency in supporting people to live healthier lives through a “targeted and proactive” approach.

During the inspection, they demonstrated they understood the vision and values promoted by the practice leaders and could describe how they were “proud” to be involved.

As a result, their work was clearly well-received by patients, who gave “consistently positive” feedback which was higher than local and national averages.

A “strong person-centred” culture was also hailed by the report, while the practice had identified areas where there were gaps in provision locally and had taken steps to address them.

It was also noted clinical data has remained “consistently high” over a number of years, reflective of “high quality care for patients”, said Dr Benneyworth.

The surgery also showed it ensured flexibility and patient-centred care, involving them in choices and decisions about their care and treatment.

Patients interviewed by the inspector were able to describe a number of instances where they felt staff members had gone “above and beyond” their duty of care to support them.

This was reflected in the many “extremely positive” comments on cards left by the CQC.