A BRADFORD medical practice has become the first in Yorkshire to be rated outstanding following a watchdog inspection.

Tong Medical Practice is one of only a handful in the country to be given the highest rating under the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) new inspection regime.

So far, 1,101 GP surgeries have been rated and 36 of those were outstanding, putting Tong in the top three per cent nationally.

The achievement is seen as a particular coup given the challenges facing the areas the surgery covers, including Holme Wood and Tong.

Perdy Gill, business manager at the practice, said: "There is a lot of challenges that are brought to us by the population.

"It is a very transient population. There are huge levels of social deprivation.

"Many of the people have low-paid jobs. There are lots of language barriers too.

"We go that extra mile for our patients. It is about the whole package of our care."

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In October 2014, the CQC introduced a new system to give GP practices in England a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

Tong Medical Practice was ranked as outstanding for its care, effectiveness, being responsive to people’s needs and offering safe and well-led services.

The practice, in Proctor Street, was also praised for being innovative.

Senior GP partner Dr Angela Moulson said: "We are delighted that the CQC has recognised our practice as outstanding.

"We are the first in Bradford - and the first in Yorkshire and Humber - to be rated at such a high level and puts the practice among the best in the country, which makes us extremely proud.

"We have a fantastic skilled team of staff who work hard and really care about our patients, their health and how we can help them improve their overall wellbeing."

The CQC found the majority of patients were positive about the care and treatment they receive.

Sue McMillan, deputy chief inspector of General Practice in the North, said: "It is clear that Tong Medical Practice is providing an effective, highly responsive and caring service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Bradford."

* This week the CQC's inspection regime was criticised and the Royal College of General Practitioners called for an "emergency pause" to the inspections, which it claimed were putting too much of a burden on practices.

The British Medical Association branded the CQC 'unfit for purpose', but the watchdog responded by saying its inspections helped patients make informed decisions.

The CQC's Chief Inspector of General Practice Prof Steve Field said: "As a practising GP, I have never intended for our inspections to be experienced as a burden to those in the profession – and for a well-managed practice, the information we ask them to provide should not present itself as one."