THE best and worst GP surgeries in Bury ­have been revealed following the release of an NHS patients’ survey.

The annual report asked surgery users about their experiences of services at the 26 practices across the borough.

Among the areas assessed were patients’ thoughts on making appointments, care received during appointments and out-of-hours care.

Overall, 84 per cent of Bury patients described their GP practice as ‘Good’, down by one percentage point from last year.

However, this was higher than the national average of 82 per cent.

The number one-ranked practice, overall, was Whittaker Lane Medical Centre in Prestwich, which was rated ‘Good’ by 96 per cent of respondents.

Lowest ranked, overall, was The Uplands Medical Practice in Whitefield, which was rated ‘Good’ by only 49 per cent.

Whittaker Lane Medical Centre was unavailable and The Uplands Medical Practice declined to comment on the results of the survey.

Dr Jeff Schryer, chairman of NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The survey reflects a small sample of patients, but it’s really encouraging that the majority of patients who responded are generally positive about the services provided by their GP practice.

“During these really challenging times, our practices have remained focussed and continued to work hard to provide the best care to patients.

“In relation to patients’ overall experience of GP practices, Bury practices performed better than the national average for patients reporting that this experience was fairly or very good.

“In addition, patients highlighting their practice website is easy to navigate, being offered a choice of appointment and the experience of making an appointment itself were all improved on from last year’s results.”

Greyland Medical Centre in Prestwich came out on top for ease of getting through to the practice on the phone, with 93 per cent of respondents describing it as ‘Easy’.

Meanwhile, Bury GP receptionists said to be more helpful than the national average ­— with the most helpful receptionists reported at Walmersley Road Medical Practice.

Bury GP surgeries ranked in order of 'Good' overall patient experience:

Whittaker Lane Medical Centre ­— 96 per cent

Tower Family Healthcare ­— 94 per cent

Garden City Medical Centre ­— 93 per cent

Mile Lane Health Centre ­— 93 per cent

Greyland Medical Centre ­— 93 per cent

Ribblesdale Medical Practice ­— 92 per cent

Blackford House Medical Centre ­— 91 per cent

St Gabriel's Medical Centre ­— 90 per cent

Longfield Medical Practice ­— 89 per cent

Peel GPs ­— 89 per cent

Monarch Medical Centre ­— 89 per cent

Walmersley Road Medical Practice ­— 87 per cent

Red Bank Group Practice ­— 86 per cent

Townside Surgery ­— 86 per cent

Radcliffe Medical Practice ­— 84 per cent

Fairfax Group Practice ­— 84 per cent

Knowsley Medical Centre ­— 83 per cent

The Birches Medical Centre ­— 82 per cent

Ramsbottom Medical Practice ­— 81 per cent

Woodbank Surgery ­— 80 per cent

Unsworth Medical Centre ­— 80 per cent

Huntley Mount Medical Centre ­— 78 per cent

Minden Family Practices (Dr Saxena) ­— 78 per cent

The Elms Medical Centre ­— 74 per cent

Rock Healthcare Limited ­— 71 per cent

The Uplands Medical Practice ­— 49 per cent

Bury NHS CCG average ­— 84 per cent