An NHS doctors’ practice in Bow Common has been given the highest possible rating by the government’s medical watchdog.

St Paul’s Way medical centre has been rated ‘outstanding’ for being “well-led and effective”.

It was also marked as ‘good’ for being “safe, caring and responsive” following a Care Quality Commission inspection.

“This is only the 15th practice in London we’ve rated as ‘outstanding’,” the CQC’s Prof Ursula Gallagher said. “It’s well-equipped and engaging with its patients in an area with high levels of deprivation, which makes this even more impressive.”

Inspectors visiting the clinic found the practice had “a clear vision” with a ‘health champions’ programme to help its patients.

The 56 ‘champions’ are patients trained by the practice who volunteer to support others with their health needs, who also run a weekly stall in the waiting room.

The practice also encourages “social prescribing” to improve patient self-management which in turn helps reduce waiting times. This includes patients self-monitoring their height, weight and blood pressure while waiting to see a doctor.