A DOCTORS surgery criticised by the health watchdog has turned things around - and is targetting to be among the very best.

The Bermuda Practice Partnership, formerly Bermuda and Marlowe practice, in Shakespeare Road, Popley, was this week given a 'good' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The good news comes after the partnership was rated as 'requires improvement' at the start of 2017, following an inspection in the summer of 2016.

Progress has been seen by inspectors since at the partnership, which has approximately 13,230 registered patients, but now this has been enshrined in a report.

Inspectors praised new initiatives introduced including self-help initiatives for parents with new babies, weekly meetings for all staff to share learning from complaints, and routine reviews of effectiveness and appropriateness of care proved.

Karen Blackhall, practice manager who joined in February this year, said: "The practice is thrilled - all the hard work has been recognised.

"The CQC really liked what we have been introducing here with how we communicate. Our robust processes for customer complaints, for example.

"The number of 'outstanding' practices is small but I am very optimistic that we can get that rating."

The practice had criticised the CQC in the past, claiming it only focuses on minor administrative processes, not what is important to patients.

This also appears to be a running theme as the partnership was told it needs to improve in areas such as fire safety risk assessments and summarising new patient care records onto practice systems.

Karen Blackhall added the fire safety risk assessment can be a complex area as responsibilities are split between different bodies such as the partnership and NHS Property Services to complete tasks.

Popley East ward councillor and member of the Patient Participation Group David Potter added: "What the practice offers in clinical terms is commendable. It is more on the admin side of things which have been marked down. I don't mean to dismiss these aspects but in terms of delivering on the standard of care and support, all that I think has been pretty good."

To read the report in full, go to cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/new_reports/AAAH3434.pdf.