A GP practice has become one of only 15 in the country to receive a quality of service award.

Staff from the Tennant Street practice, Stockton, Teesside, have been given the Quality Practice Award from the Royal College of General Practitioners.

The staff took part in a 12-month programme to set and improve standards of care.

They looked at areas such as appointment systems, out-of-hours cover, health promotion and specialist clinics. Their work was assessed by a team from the college, who also spoke to patients.

Dr Steve Sylvester, from the practice, said: The whole purpose of going for the award was to show that all members of the practice team are involved in providing a quality service to our patients and that that service also meets patients' perceptions of what a good GP practice should be like.

"The Government's national plan for the health service places much emphasis on quality and improving standards and so, with the achievement of this award, we feel we are at the forefront in this respect."