DOCTORS' surgeries in Dorset have scored well in an annual check that rewards high standards.

Results for each practice vary according to data from the NHS Information Centre but overall the county is delivering high quality care when measured against a set of indicators.

The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is a voluntary scheme which rates GP surgeries through a points system.

It assesses aspects of clinical care, how well the practice is organised, the patient experience and the extra services offered.

The scheme was introduced as part of the new primary care contracting arrangements and the higher the score achieved, the higher the financial reward for the practice.

Of the 60 practices in Dorset, 13 managed to achieve the maximum score of 1,000 points.

These include the Abbotsbury Road Surgery and Lanehouse Surgery, both in Weymouth.

They are among just 7.5 per cent of surgeries nationally to achieve this score.

The Great Oaks Surgery based at Littlemoor Clinic, also in Weymouth, has the lowest overall score in Dorset with 824.25 (82.4 per cent) points.

Dorset as a whole however scores well when compared with the rest of England with an overall QOF rating of 98.8 per cent, which ranks it just inside the national top 10.

Dorset Primary Care Trust (PCT) is responsible for primary care services including GP practices.

A spokesman said: "Dorset PCT is delighted that the excellent services provided by our GP practices have been recognised in the results of the Quality and Outcomes Framework assessment for 2007/08.

"These scores reflect the high quality of care provided to patients across Dorset.

"Dorset PCT will continue to work with all practices to improve scores where necessary."

The spokesman stressed that Great Oaks Surgery had only been in operation since July 2007 and as the QOF scores are for that financial year, this is reflected in the result.

Dorset PCT expects to see a more accurate reflection for Great Oaks in next year's results.

NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: "QOF is a mechanism for rewarding practices for the quality of care they provide to patients.

"By putting the results online, the NHS Information Centre is working to make more information easily available to patients and the public."

Check how well your GP surgery has performed by visiting: www.ic.nhs.uk/qof