Staff at eight GP practices in Suffolk are celebrating after their services were rated "good" and their leadership rated "outstanding" in the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.

East Anglian Daily Times: The eight practices are a part of the Suffolk Primary Care partnership. Picture: Staff at Oakfield Surgery in Newmarket The eight practices are a part of the Suffolk Primary Care partnership. Picture: Staff at Oakfield Surgery in Newmarket (Image: Warren Page)

All practices are members of the Suffolk Primary Care partnership, with officials visiting:

No CQC reports prior to this one have been published.

East Anglian Daily Times: Pinewood Surgery was also visited as part of the inspectionPinewood Surgery was also visited as part of the inspection (Image: Warren Page)

Each surgery was praised for the safe, effective, caring and responsive services they provide to patients.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the practices in September and October, giving each an overall rating of "good".

They also commended the strong collaboration and teamwork in place across the partnership, as well as its staff’s shared focus on further improving the quality of the care they provide and the experience of patients and carers.

East Anglian Daily Times: Inspectors rated leadership at all eight of the surgeries outstanding. Photo: Staff at Stowhealth in StowmarketInspectors rated leadership at all eight of the surgeries outstanding. Photo: Staff at Stowhealth in Stowmarket (Image: Warren Page)

Inspectors said there was "compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels", "a common focus on improving the quality and sustainability of care and people’s experiences and "consistently high levels of constructive engagement with staff and people who use services."

Dr Nicholas Rayner, executive chairman of Suffolk Primary Care and a GP at Oakfield Surgery in Newmarket, said: "We are really proud of our latest CQC inspection results.

"The ratings are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and reflect their ongoing commitment to doing their very best for our patients and their carers.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dr Nicholas Rayner, executive chairman of Suffolk Primary CareDr Nicholas Rayner, executive chairman of Suffolk Primary Care (Image: JAMES FLETCHER PHOTOGRAPHY)

"We are delighted that we received an ‘outstanding’ rating in the well-led category and such positive feedback about leadership at all levels of Suffolk Primary Care.

"The skills and experience highlighted by the inspectors will be vitally important as we continue to rise to the many challenges currently facing GP practices, while also exploring innovative ways to manage increasing demand.

“Although we are pleased with our ratings, we will not become complacent.

"We will strive for further improvement over the coming months so that we can make sure our patients and their families continue to receive the highest quality care at the right time."