The hard work of the smallest health centre in North Norfolk was rewarded this Christmas with the surgery being awarded an 'Outstanding' by the CQC.

The 11-strong team at Wells Health Centre said they were 'over the moon' when they discovered they were one of the top 4pc of health practices rated at the highest level in the country, and one of two in north Norfolk.

Jan Wright is the practice manager and said: 'We're only a small team so we were over the moon that we're on the same level as some of the really big practices.

'We got 'Good' at our last inspection and just missed out on 'Outstanding' so we're so pleased to get it this time.'

The long-running practice serves more than 3,000 people between its two GPS, two nurses and two healthcare assistants.

Dr Wright continued: 'I think what makes it work here is that we'll go the extra mile for our patients and each other.

'We have a good team that mixes well, and who all help each other out.'

Dr Wright, 61, continued: 'We always get really positive feedback from our patients. They say they couldn't find anywhere else as good and that they wouldn't want to.'

However, being small and beautifully formed, the team does struggle more than a larger surgery would when they have a sudden influx of patients.

'It's always a bit more of a stretch in the summer, because we have a lot of holiday makers that come in. We don't get any extra money or resource for this so it can be a bit of a challenge.'

Dr Wright added: 'And at the moment we're a little bit stretched because it's flu season, but nothing we can't handle.'

The surgery offers all general doctors' practice services such as antenatal support, general surgeries, contraception advice and diabetes check-ups.

The centre, which was originally build in 1980, was rated 'Outstanding' in responsiveness to people's needs, being a well-led service, and effective services, and 'Good' in service safety and caring.

The service also was rated 'Outstanding' in caring for each of it's patients' seven age groups.