PATIENTS at Bolton Community GP Practice are treated with compassion, dignity and respect according to a recently published report.

The practice, in Waters Meeting Road, received a good rating in all areas of its recent Care Quality Commission report.

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice, visited the premises in October.

He said: "Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.

"There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events and risks to patients were assessed and well managed."

In addition to being good in all areas there were also some areas of outstanding practice at the surgery.

These included the Safehaven Scheme, a project that helps families recovering from domestic violence.

They found that the practice worked closely with the patients, their carers, the prisons and drug and alcohol services to meet the needs of the patients.

Another area of outstanding practice was found with the work that they do with local charity Urban Outreach and the local foodbank, one member of staff had been trained to issue food bank vouchers.

The practice was also praised for holding weekly coffee mornings for “vulnerable patients” that are “lonely and socially isolated.”

Manager Dr Anne Talbot said: “We were delighted with the outcome of our recent inspection. “Bolton Community Practice CIC cares for nearly 12,000 patients across Bolton but we were particularly pleased that the work we do with patients leading difficult lives was recognised as outstanding.”

Despite the positive outcome of the latest report the figures The national GP patient survey results were published earlier this year showed mixed results when comparing the practice with the local and national averages.

They came in slightly below average on overall experience, how easy it was to get an appointment, how easy it is to get through on the phone and whether they would recommend the practice to a relative or friend.

Despite following slightly below the national average Mr Field said: “Although some of the results were lower than the CCG and national averages the practice evidenced a year on year improvement in results over the last four years.

“As part of our inspection we also asked for CQC comment cards to be completed by patients prior to our inspection.

“We received 125 comment cards which were all positive about the standard of care received and included individual praise about clinical and reception staff.

“Patients told us that they found staff to be courteous and pleasant and that they received good care and they felt the doctor always listened to them.

“We spoke with nine patients during the inspection. All nine patients said they were satisfied with the care they received and thought staff were approachable, committed and caring.”