BURY’s out-of-hours medical service has received a “Good” rating from a national health watchdog.

BARDOC had its Moorgate base and new surgery at Fairfield Hospital in Bury examined by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), receiving a positive rating in everything from the safety of its services to the caring nature of its staff.

And in a separate NHS patient satisfaction survey, 87 per cent of Bury patients said they had confidence in the BARDOC clinician they saw or spoke to, while 92 per cent would recommend the service to their family and friends.

The CQC inspected Moorgate — BARDOC’s HQ and the place where its telephone triage team is based — and the Foulds Suite close to Fairfield A&E, in February.

They quizzed staff and patients, scrutinised BARDOC’s systems - including ways to report and learn from incidents, examined premises and vehicles and studied patient feedback.

They awarded the not-for-profit organisation a “Good” rating across the board and deemed initiatives to help vulnerable patients and reduce unnecessary admissions to emergency units to be “Outstanding”.

The inspectors noted: “BARDOC prided themselves on being a forward thinking organisation which led change in collaboration with other providers.”

BARDOC chief executive Vicky Riding said she believes partnership working is pivotal to the success of what is now one of Britain’s longest running out-of-hours emergency healthcare providers.

“Our longevity means we understand our community totally and from day one back in 1996, we have been committed to serving it,” she said.

“It is important that we use this CQC inspection to learn lessons and improve still further.

“There is no room for complacency in this fast moving world and our patients will know that we are always seeking their opinions in our quest to get better.

“This report is also an opportunity to thank our superb staff who spend unsociable hours caring for the people of Bury and quite literally save lives.

“I am so pleased their dedication has been recognised.”

BARDOC's administration staff are based at the Moorgate Primary Care Centre, in Derby Way, but any patients needing treatment out of hours are referred to medical staff at Fairfield Hospital.

BARDOC is separate from the CCG's urgent care provision and walk-in centres, one of which is also based in Moorgate.

If the walk-in centre was to close it would not affect BARDOC. However, the decision on the walk-in centres has been delayed and they are remaining open until at least March next year.

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.