A practice in Northern Ireland has been named practice of the year after its staff were praised for dealing with all queries in a “helpful, caring and understanding manner.”

Doctors, nurses and staff in reception at the Greenway Practice, Belfast, all gained praise from the patient who nominated it to the Royal College of GPs in Northern Ireland. The college’s annual award is judged by patients as well as nominated by them.

Colin Cluney, who nominated the practice, said it had provided many years of excellent support and care to his entire family, especially elderly and infirm relatives, for many years. He said practice staff had always responded to queries quickly and efficiently – and made themselves readily available to answer family questions. He said that medical staff were “fantastic” in spite of the awkwardness of triage contact system.

He said: “This is a large practice yet somehow the patient or carer still feels like they are being treated as an individual. That’s not an easy task yet it is one that remains hugely important to anyone in times of need and as such the Greenway Practice is a vital part of the East Belfast community and one we couldn’t do without.”

Mr Cluney said, after the award was presented: “They richly deserve this award, for many years of excellent support and care for our entire family, particularly elderly relatives. Given the challenges of the last 18 months, we have all realised the importance of accessing care in our local surgeries. Greenway Practice is an integral part of our East Belfast community.”

Practice manager Angela Hutchison said: “It has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone and our team has strived to continue to provide a caring, empathic service for all our patients despite the COVID-19 pandemic. We are particularly proud that we have continued with face to face appointments when clinically appropriate and know that this has been appreciated. To have our efforts recognised through this patient-nominated award has given us all a tremendous boost.”