A MEDICAL practice has been delighted to get a letter from the Health Secretary congratulating members of staff on their exceptional quality of care.

Jeremy Hunt sent the letter to Dr Samir Mansour, the senior partner at Southdene Medical Centre, Shotton Colliery, after it was ranked overall outstanding by the Care Quality Commission earlier this year.

Dr Mansour said: “We were delighted to receive the news that Southdene Medical Centre achieved an overall outstanding result following the CQC inspection and have received recognition from the Right Honourable Jeremy Hunt via a personal letter to me.

“We are the only practice in the North-East acknowledged in the Celebrating Good Care booklet nationally and also we are the only practice in the region mentioned in the National Practice Management magazine on how to be an outstanding practice May 2017.”

He added: “Our aim at Southdene is to provide the best possible care to our patients and it has boosted staff morale to receive the recognition for our efforts.

“Our hope is that we will continue to provide an excellent service to the people of the Easington area.

“We hope to continue to provide innovative education to our patients while fulfilling all of their healthcare needs.”

In his letter, Mr Hunt said: “From visiting organisations throughout the country I know that the immense day to day hard work that will have been made this outcome cannot be underestimated.

“It is greatly appreciated, not just by me, but by all your patients that will be benefitting as a result.”