The 26 GPs' practices in the North East rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission

There are 26 GPs' practices around the North East which have Outstanding ratings according to regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC keeps an eye on health and social care settings - whether they be NHS or privately-run - and inspects them, putting together a report which grades them based on five key areas: Being safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. It rates each practice as either inadequate, requires improvement, good or outstanding on each area - and then comes up with an overall score.

At a time when general practice is under more pressure than ever, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other key staff are all working to ensure people in our region are safe and looked after in a timely-manner.

Read more: 'Burnt out' Gateshead GP warns ten minute appointments aren't 'fit for purpose'

The CQC carries out regular inspection activity around the country - and although some of these practices carry outstanding ratings dating back as far as 2015, all were last subject to a "review" in May. The CQC always encourages patients to report any concerns they may have about primary or secondary (hospital) care.

Around the North East, these are the 26 practices to currently have a top rating:

Newcastle

Thornfield Medical Group based at the walk-in centre in Molineux Street, Byker (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

• Thornfield Medical Group, Byker, Molineux Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE6 1SG

Last inspected on October 3, 2018.

• Heaton Road Surgery, 17-19 Heaton Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE6 1SA

Last inspected on February 10, 2015.

• West Road Medical Centre, 170 West Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE4 9QB

Last inspected on August 28, 2019.

• Gosforth Memorial Medical Centre, Church Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE3 1TX

Last inspected March 15, 2016.

Gateshead

• Teams Medical Practice, Watson Street, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE8 2PQ

Last inspected on December 17, 2018

.

Teams Medical Practice in Gateshead. (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

Northumberland

• Prudhoe Medical Group, Kepwell Bank Top, Prudhoe, Northumberland, NE42 5PW

Last inspected September 6, 2016.

• Bedlingtonshire Medical Group, Glebe Road, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6JX

Last inspected February 2, 2016.

• Valens Medical Partnership, The Surgery, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1BJ

Last inspected February 25, 2016.

• Corbridge Medical Group, Corbridge Health Centre, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5LG

Last inspected February 9, 2016.

• Burn Brae Medical Group, Hexham Primary Care Centre, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1QJ

Last inspected July 30, 2015.

• Bellingham Practice, Bellingham, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 2HE

Last inspected November 19, 2018.

North Tyneside

The Village Green Surgery in Wallsend (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

• Park Road Medical Practice, 93 Park Road, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28 7LP

Last inspected May 19, 2016.

• The Village Green Surgery, The Green, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28 6BB

Last inspected March 24, 2015.

• Collingwood Surgery, Hawkeys Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 0SF

Last inspected November 17, 2016.

• Dr McManners and Partners, The Health Centre, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE26 2ND

Last inspected July 5, 2016.

South Tyneside

• Ellison View Surgery, Hebburn Health Centre, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, NE31 2SP

Last inspected September 30, 2016.

Sunderland

• Dr Stephenson and Partners, Victoria Road Health Centre, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE37 2PU

Last inspected October 22, 2019.

• Westbourne Medical Group, Kelso Grove, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 4RW

Last inspected August 16, 2016.

• Herrington Medical Group, Philadelphia Lane, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 4LE

Last inspected February 7, 2020.

County Durham

• Stanley Medical Group - Clifford Road, Stanley Primary Care Centre, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 0AB

Last inspected October 19, 2016.

• Cestria Health Centre, Whitehill Way, Chester Le Street, County Durham, DH2 3DJ

Last inspected November 10, 2016.

• The Surgery - Great Lumley, The Surgery, Front Street, Chester Le Street, County Durham, DH3 4LE

Last inspected August 25, 2016.

• Cheveley Park Medical Centre, The Links, Durham, County Durham, DH1 2UW

Last inspected January 17, 2019.

• Silverdale Family Practice, South Hetton Health Centre, Durham, County Durham, DH6 2TH

Last inspected November 14, 2018.

• Southdene Medical Centre, Front Street, Durham, County Durham, DH6 2LT

Last inspected November 24, 2016.

• East Durham Medical Group, Fourth Street, Peterlee, SR8 4LD

Last inspected January 18, 2017.

READ NEXT:

• Top Newcastle GP warns primary care crisis is 'only going to get worse' without bold Government action

• Life as a receptionist at a Gateshead GP practice where abuse is becoming more common