A surgery looking after more than 10,000 patients has been rated outstanding by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Its report into The Vine Medical Centre, in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, was published this month after an inspection in April.

Under a new inspection regime started in 2014 the CQC is looking at all English GP surgeries to see whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

CQC inspectors examine various aspects of the care provided and rate each in a way similar to school Ofsted visits.

The April visit was the first inspection at The Vine Medical Centre and staff were found to understand and fulfil their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and near misses.

The practice used innovative and pro-active methods to improve the outcomes for patients.

Feedback from patients about their care was consistently positive.

The centre had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. It had a quiet room, as well as a designated breast-feeding area.

Other positive points mentioned included caring for people with long-term conditions and offering longer appointments to those with learning difficulties.

“Naturally we are delighted with the inspection findings” - practice partner Dr Jonathan Wentzel

Chief inspector Prof Steve Field noted “several areas of outstanding achievement” including a strong focus on safeguarding children and he also commended the surgery’s weight management programmes designed to tackle patient obesity.

Of the 11 categories considered, the practice was found to be outstanding in eight and good in the other three, leading to an overall rating of outstanding.

It was one of only four surgeries across the country classed as outstanding in the latest batch of 93 GP practices to be examined.

Dr Jonathan Wentzel, a partner at the practice, said: “Naturally we are delighted with the inspection findings.”

The centre has 10,800 people on its books. In July 2013 it moved into a new £2m building at 13 Tonbridge Road, after being based at a much smaller surgery in the same road. Its full inspection report can be seen here.