Bridport Medical Centre has been praised in a report.

A Care Quality Commission (CQC) report has been published showing the outcome of an inspection at the centre in West Allington, which was carried out in April.

The centre was given an overall rating of ‘good’ and was praised in all areas – for providing services which are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Summarising the findings, Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice at the CQC, stated: “The practice has clear systems to manage risk to that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved the processes.

“The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence-based guidelines.

“Staff involved treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

“Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care then they needed it.”

The summary concluded: “Feedback was welcomed from staff and patients and acted upon. There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.”

The report outlined just one area where the centre could make improvement, namely by reviewing the processes in the Quality and Outcomes Framework, which was introduced in 2004 to improve quality of care for patients.

Bridport Medical Centre serves around 18,000 patients across the town and wider area and employs 10 GP partners, three nurse practitioners, six practice nurses and three health care assistants.

With a higher than average number of patients aged 65 and over, the report noted that the centre was effective in caring for older people, with a frailty team in place to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. Staff also had appropriate knowledge of treating older people, including their psychological, mental and communication needs.

Staff were also praised for their caring approach, and helping patients be involved in decisions about their care and treatment.

The report noted: “Staff helped patients and their carers find further information and access community and advocacy services. They helped them ask questions about their care and treatment. The practice proactively identified carers and supported them.”

It adds: “Staff recognised the importance of people’s dignity and respect. They challenged behaviour that fell short of this.”

The centre was previously inspected by CQC in 2015, when it was also rated ‘good’.