A GP practice has achieved national recognition for the huge improvements it has made to caring for people nearing the end of their lives.

Ilkley Moor Medical Practice has achieved a Quality Hallmark Award by the National Gold Standards Framework Centre (GSF) in primary care, one of only 13 practices across the country. It has helped patients to live their final months in the place and manner of their choosing, through better planning, communication and coordination.

A plaque was presented to staff at the practice on Tuesday last week by Professor John Young, NHS England's Director for Integration and Frail Elderly, who said: “This award for Ilkley Moor Medical Practice is well-deserved, and I am encouraged to see how much can be done by a committed team to improve all aspects of care for patients and their families at the end of their lives.”

Dr Helena Rolfe of Ilkley Moor Medical Practice said: “We are extremely proud to have achieved the Quality Hallmark Award.

“We have reduced hospital admissions for this patient group by 50 per cent, and with the help of GSF are providing better, cheaper care for our patients and their carers. As a family doctor whose job it is to see people through to the end and it is much more satisfying to care for your patients in a calm, planned way.”