Monday 6th June 2011

A Doctor's surgery in Dronfield has just scooped a major national award from the Royal College of General Practitioners for the second time running.


From L-R: Dr Gillian Harvey, Dr Andrew Barr and NHS Derbyshire's Jackie Pendleton proudly show off the award

Medical and nursing staff from Dronfield Medical Practice - which relocated to larger, modern premises on Dronfield High Street three years ago - was the first surgery in North Derbyshire to pick up the prestigious Quality Practice award from the country's leading professional body in 2003.

Now the surgery has triumphed again in the same award category - winning the accolade for a second time.

Particular praise was given to staff, who underwent a rigorous twelve-month assessment from the Royal College, for the considerable effort they had gone to in providing a high quality patient focused service.

Dr Gillian Harvey, one of the six doctors based at the centre, said: "We are extremely proud to have received this prestigious award, which recognises the tremendous hard work and dedication staff put in every day to make sure that patients receive the best care possible.

"We are a forward-thinking practice and this award is a reflection of all the often unnoticed work we continuously do to make sure we keep abreast of all the latest developments so that patients remain our number one priority."

Jackie Pendleton, assistant director of commissioning for NHS Derbyshire County, agrees: "We'd like to congratulate all the team on their hard-earned achievement. A year's worth of scrutiny from the Royal College of General Practitioners really does put surgeries through their paces so it's fantastic to see one of our practices scoop this top award yet again."

Since it was relocated three years ago, Dronfield Medical Practice now offers a host of additional services to patients including a memory clinic that can help patients in the early stages of dementia cope with the changes, a Steps4Change clinic for people suffering from depression and mental health problems. The practice also runs Citizens Advice sessions, which are also open to patients not registered at the clinic by appointment.

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