A STATE-of-the-art GP centre in Worcester has been branded "best in the country" by the Government's Health Minister.

Dr Stephen Ladyman visited the £2m Henwick Halt Medical Centre yesterday to meet staff and patients and look round the facilities - and he was impressed with what he saw.

"What I have seen here is fabulous," he told the Evening News.

"It is without doubt the best quality of clinic that I've seen in the country."

The Henwick Road surgery, which officially opened in October 2004 and provides 21st Century healthcare for more than 8,000 patients, was the first of 12 new doctors' surgeries due to open across South Worcestershire, thanks to the help of an Evening News campaign.

Five, including Henwick Halt, secured funding but eight were thrown into jeopardy when, in February last year, the Government announced it was changing funding rules for such schemes.

In March 2004, the Evening News called on readers to join the "Save Our Surgeries" campaign and after months of campaigning seven of the eight suspended schemes were finally given the green light.

Dr Ladyman said with Henwick Halt - which has seven consulting rooms, three treatment rooms, a physiotherapy room and facilities for minor surgery to be carried out - the new surgeries now have a mark of excellence to live up to.

"There really is a powerful mix of services provided by the Primary Care Trust here," he said.

"This is a good model for the rest to follow - and if this is the mark to live up to then the people of Worcestershire have a lot to look forward to."

Mike Ridley, chief executive of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said it was good to be able to show Dr Ladyman what the Government's funding had been spent on.

"If he is pleased with the success here then hopefully we will be successful in attracting more initiatives in the future," he added.