Shropdoc rated one of the best in country

The service, which is run by 300 local GPs, is among the best of 38 service providers around the country, according to an independent patient survey.

More than 5,500 patients were questioned, of whom 83 were covered by Shropdoc.

Ian Winstanley, CEO of Shropdoc, said: "At Shropdoc we strive to deliver the best possible service to the people of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

"It is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of our staff that our home visiting service is again rated in the top 25 per cent of providers of out-of-hours services nationally."

Patients were asked 22 questions as a way of rating services.

Shropdoc had an average score of more than 60 out of 100 for 20 of the 22 areas questioned.

The two areas where they scored lower, information provided and speed of call back, were still above the 50 per cent mark, putting them in the top 20.

For most of the other areas, Shropdoc was at least 10 per cent above the national average.

Earlier this year, the NHS called on Shropdoc to help bail out the '111' line which was launched in March. The new line experienced difficulties when it was launched by NHS Direct and Shropdoc had to take over the service.

It was praised earlier this year as a "knight in shining armour" for maintaining the service when the NHS helpline went into meltdown.

It was revealed in October that West Midlands Ambulance Service will take on the 111 line as part of a permanent solution.

Shropdoc was allowed to continue to run its separate out-of-hours line for patients to call when their GP is closed. It means Shropdoc deals with GP out-of-hours calls while West Midlands Ambulance Service offers advice on the phone to people calling the 111 line.

But the arrangement is only short term, with the future of both services reviewed in 2015.

• Shropdoc is available on 08444 068888

• Visit www.shropdoc.org.uk