A GP practice has been awarded a purple star award to recognise the hard work it has put into helping people with learning difficulties.

Manor View Practice, at Bushey Medical Centre in London Road, Bushey, were presented with the award on October 10.

The Purple Star Award is an accreditation from the Hertfordshire County Council which is given to organisations that have made reasonable adjustments to ensure people with learning disabilities have the same access to care services as anyone else.

The inspection, which was carried out in September, found all staff catered to patients; whether they were a doctor or receptionist.

Some examples of practice which was praised included doctors ensuring a stethoscope was not visible so a patient was not frightened by clinical equipment, a practice nurse working with a man with autism who was scared about a blood test, and a doctor who saw a patient was too distressed to leave their car for their appointment for leg cellulitis so all observations such as blood pressure were carried out at the car.

Georgious Savvakis, deputy practice manager, said: “A special thanks to Molly Rayment (Purple Star Strategy Nurse), Abby Russell (Community Learning Disability Nurse), and Gavin Howcroft (service-user representative) for supporting Manor View through their accreditation, as well as all those pictured and connected with the surgery.

“Congratulations to all Manor View staff for their ongoing commitment and enthusiasm in providing the best support to patients and families with learning disabilities and making a real difference.”