GP practices in the North East are among the best in the country, new figures reveal.

Local surgeries in the region have been rated higher than the national average, according to a new survey published by the Department of Health. The region’s practices have also been rated as some of the cleanest in the UK following a customer satisfaction survey.

Health chiefs today praised local surgeries and said they would continue working with GPs to improve services in the North East.

Jan Forster, director of the North East Primary Care Services Agency, speaking on behalf of NHS North of Tyne and NHS South of Tyne and Wear, said: “This survey shows that overall levels of satisfaction are high, with 93% of patients across the region saying they were satisfied with the care they received.

“This score is above the national average of 89%. The overall rates of cleanliness were also rated higher than the national average of 97%, with 99% of patients across the North East rating their surgery as clean. We strive for excellent patient experience in every single case and are always looking for ways to improve local health services.

“We will review the results of this survey and work with GP practices to make any improvements necessary.”