WIRRAL doctors and their staff have come top in the region in a new patient satisfaction survey.

Patients have praised GPs for longer opening hours and a quick and efficient service.

GP surgeries have also been recognised for having helpful receptionists and relaying test results promptly.

Patients also said Wirral GPs were excellent listeners as well as being good at explaining the various treatments available.

NHS Wirral scored well for its GP out of hours service and came top in the north west for providing out of hours pharmacy services. GPs also scored the highest in the region for their ability to see patients within 48 hours.

Iain Kennedy, who attends Greasby Practice, has said he and his young family always receive prompt care thanks to Dr Wright and his team.

Iain said: "The service we have all had has been exemplary. What has been really useful to me are the late openings as I work over in Liverpool during the day - this has helped me to avoid taking time off from work.

"We are able to telephone our GP to ask advice on our baby daughter’s health. Being new parents we find this service invaluable when we are unsure if a problem warrants a trip to the surgery."

Kathy Doran, Chief Executive of NHS Wirral added: "The GPs across Wirral have done really well with the survey feedback form patients recently received. We are particularly pleased with the improved scoring relating to out of hours care - with practices having invested a lot of time and effort in improving patient access to see a GP or other health professionals.

"This improvement has clearly been noticed by our patients. We commend the doctors and practice staff for their continued hard work and support."