A Northern Ireland practice has been praised after staff rallied round to help a patient diagnosed with a rare disease.

The praise from the patient led to the Ormeau Road Practice, Belfast, winning a Practice of the Year award. The practice was nominated by patients across Northern Ireland in a competition run by the Royal College of General Practitioners, who also voted for the best individual GP.

Chair of the College Dr Grainne Doran said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to our award winners. Despite the pressures that GPs and their teams are facing right across the region, today’s examples show how general practitioners and their staff continue to go above and beyond for their patients.

“General practice is a fantastic career. It is a genuine pleasure that we get to build real relationships with patients and families over time, and support people when they are facing some of the most difficult and worrying times in their lives.”

One patient who nominated Ormeau Road Practice, Janette Connor, said: “Last year I got diagnosed with Behcets disease and it has been a roller-coaster to come to terms with it. I don’t think I could have gotten through it all without the kindness, support and understanding from my GP team.

“Every person in the practice – the receptionists, nurses, doctors and pharmacist – has been on this journey with me and they work together to help make my life and treatment easier for me. There is a true sense of care and empathy running through the whole practice. I cannot speak of this practice highly enough.”

The College held its New Members and Awards Ceremony last Saturday, 13 October, in Belfast. The GP of the Year in Northern Ireland award went to Dr Andrew Jackson from Green Road Medical Centre in Conlig.