A DORSET GP surgery has been voted as the best in the UK.

Milton Abbas Surgery has won the 'people's choice: surgery of the year' award at The General Practice Awards 2019.

Almost 20,000 patients, colleagues and members of the public voted for the award.

Dr Martin Longley, senior partner at the Milton Abbas Surgery, said: “Being presented with this award is undoubtedly the highlight of my career in primary care.

"It is testament to the unique environment at our surgery where everyone strives to provide outstanding patient care.

"Our goal is to know and understand our patient’s needs and provide continuity of care throughout their time with us.”

The awards are open to the whole of the country, with entries received from England, Scotland and Wales.

There were 86 surgeries nominated for the people’s choice award. Milton Abbas was the smallest of the three finalists, with almost 4,000 patients.

For more than 10 years the GP Awards have celebrated the very best examples of success from across primary and community care, recognising projects, individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond to improve healthcare provision in their area.

The awards ceremony took place on Friday, November 29.

John Pettifor, who organises the marketing of awards, said: "The people’s choice award is a chance for the general public to show their appreciation for their local healthcare team.

"We received almost 20,000 votes for the surgeries in the running and reading through them it was clear to see that across the UK there are some truly amazing people at work.

"Milton Abbas Surgery proved that you don’t necessarily need to be a huge surgery to win a national award such as this one.

"Their whole team embody what the General Practice Awards are all about – innovation, positivity, hard work, and above all a dedication to providing the very best patient care."