BLACKBURN with Darwen's best and worst GP practices, as voted for by patients, have been revealed.

The GP Patient Survey 2020 asked residents for their views on their doctors' surgeries across a range of different areas.

And some 85 per cent of patients rated their overall experience of GP practices in Blackburn with Darwen as good this year, compared to 86 per cent last year.

The most recent NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG survey saw 9,354 questionnaires sent out, and 2,477 were returned.

Topping the charts were Spring-Fenisco Healthlink and St George's Surgery where 95 per cent of patients rated the service as good.

Meanwhile, Olive Medical Centre in Blackburn came bottom of the pile with 57 per cent saying it was good.

Blackburn with Darwen CCG was rated above the national average with 85 per cent of people saying their experiences were good compared to 82 per cent across the country.

Kelly Maxwell, practice manager of St George's Surgery who were joint top, was delighted.

She said: "Historically we have been joint top, but took a bit of a dip down to fourth last year, so it is nice to be back on top.

"We aim to make our patients satisfied with our care and we have friendly staff who work really hard and want to help."

Dr Mark Dziobon, Medical Director at East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen CCGs said: “First of all on behalf of both CCGs I’d like to thank the public for their tremendous support through these unprecedented times.

" In addition, I also want to thank all of the staff working in general practice who continue to ensure their patients receive the highest quality of care they deserve.

"The pandemic has been extremely challenging for everyone but through their hard work our practices have managed to remain effective throughout and have continued to deliver safe and effective services.

" The services provided by our GPs and practice nurses are the cornerstone of the NHS as for the vast majority of patients their first point of contact with the NHS takes place in their doctor’s surgery.

"We always welcome the results of surveys like this as it highlights where improvements can be made but also the areas of outstanding practice and gives the opportunity for practices to hear the views of their patients.

"Overall we are very pleased with these results as they show that the experience of those patients who have participated in the survey remains overwhelmingly positive and that 8 of 10 still rate their experience as good.”

The best rated doctors were:

1 - Spring-Fenisco Healthlink, Darwen and Feniscowles (95 per cent)

" - St George's Surgery, Blackburn (95)

3 - Oakenhurst Medical Practice, Blackburn (94),

4 - Roman Road Health Centre, Blackburn (93),

5- Brownhill Surgery, Blackburn (92),

" - Witton Medical Centre, Blackburn (92),

7- Darwen Healthlink (91),

8 - Darwen Healthcare (90),

" - Little Harwood Health Centre (90),

10 - Bentham Road Health Centre, Blackburn (89),

11- The Cornerstone Practice, Shadsworth (88),

12 - Hollins Grove Surgery, Darwen (87),

" - Dr A Calow's Practice, Blackburn (87)

14 - Pringle Surgery, Blackburn (83),

" - Dr Nagpal Practice, Blackburn (83),

16 - Blakewater Healthcare, Blackburn (82),

"- Limefield Surgery, Blackburn (82),

18 - Stepping Stone Practice, Blackburn (79),

19 - Dr RC Rautray Practice, Blackburn (77),

" - Dr DC Mathur and Partner, Blackburn (77),

21 - Shifa Surgery, Blackburn (66),

22 - Family Practice Blackburn (61) and

23 - Olive Medical Centre, Blackburn (57).