Brightlingsea’s Colne Medical Centre has said that “hard work and dedication” has helped it record high patient satisfaction ratings in the latest national GP Patient Survey.

Just over 86% of patients who responded to the survey rated their overall experience of the Station Road practice as “good”, with 97% saying they  had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to during their last appointment.

The practice was rated third in the Colchester and Tendring areas, just behind Mill Road Surgery in Colchester, with Great Bentley Surgery coming top.

“The results are the result of hard work and dedication of the entire practice team, who’ve gone above and beyond during a period of major changes to our appointment system and staff shortages,” said practice manager Katie Pirie.

“Despite this, everyone has pulled together to keep providing the care our patients need. Our patients’ willingness to engage with the new systems we’ve introduced to improve access have played a big part in these results,” she added.

“The good news is that our number of GPs is starting to grow again, and we’re feeling really optimistic about the future. With a strong team and continued support from our patients, we’re looking forward to building on this and continuing to improve.”

A third of thei 336 people who were sent a survey responded. Nearly all the responses comfortably exceeded national average percentages. Results showed:

• 68% found it easy to get through by phone
• 56% found it easy to contact the practice using its website
• 60% find it easy to contact this GP practice using the NHS App
• 92% find the reception and administrative team at this GP practice helpful
• 54% usually get to see or speak to their preferred healthcare professional when they would like to
• 79% describe their experience of contacting their GP practice as good
• 66% were offered a choice of time or day when they last tried to make an appointment
• 80% felt they waited about the right amount of time for their last  appointment
• 94% say the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at listening to them
• 97% had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to
• 95% were involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment
• 94% felt their needs were met during their last appointment
• 80% say they have had enough support from local services or organisations in the last 12 months to help manage their long-term conditions or illnesses

Across the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System area, of which Brightlingsea is a part, patient satisfaction with GP practices, NHS dental and pharmacy services increased this year.

Chief excecutive Dr Ed Garratt, said: “It is well known that the NHS is under a lot of pressure right now, yet this patient feedback shows that those services remain resilient, and staff continue to work hard to do all they can for patients.

“Of particular note are the results for NHS dental services. While there is obviously still some way to go, it is important to recognise the hard work that is being done to bring about improvement and acknowledge these increased rates of satisfaction.”