DISTRICT health bosses have welcomed a survey which they say shows Wyre Forest patients are highly satisfied with the services they receive.

The study carried out by the Commission for Health Improvement covered 52 issues relating to primary care services, including GPs - and Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust was in the best performing 20 per cent nationally on 21 of them.

The trust was recently given a maximum three star rating by CHI, but chief executive Peter Forrester said that focused more on health and "organisational outcomes".

The survey's assessment criteria included access to waiting, safe high quality care, provision of information, relationships between patients with their "service provider" and comfort and cleanliness of the care environment.

Mr Forrester added: "This assessment by patients of our services reflects a perspective on patient care not covered by our three star ratings. It shows patients generally in Wyre Forest have high levels of satisfaction with the services they receive."

Dr Richard Horton, of the General Practitioners Association, said: "This report has shown that we have retained the confidence and trust of our patients, who feel that the health professionals within our surgeries treat them promptly and with dignity.

"The recognition of our receptionists in providing a highly valued service within well-maintained premises is also welcomed."

Mr Forrester said the area the trust performed least well in was patients' perception that their medication was not reviewed every year. Work is being done to address this.

More than 123,000 patients across the country were involved in the survey, while in Wyre Forest the 55 per cent response rate was six per cent higher than the national average.