A NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS doctor has been given a regional award for the healthcare he provides to his patients.

Dr Olukayode Adeeko – who works at Newton Medical Centre – has been named as GP of the Year in the Royal College of General Practitioners Mersey Faculty annual awards.

The faculty represents more than 2,000 GPs across Merseyside, Cheshire and Isle of Man.

Dr Adeeko won after being nominated for the guidance he shows to other doctors as a lead GP, for proactively promoting home visits in palliative and cancer care resulting in a reduction in hospital admissions and for supporting medical education in the practice.

He also worked with the team to introduce quality improvement initiatives at the surgery on Belvedere Road.

It is the second time he has been given the award, after receiving it in 2016 for his outstanding contribution to primary care in Liverpool.

Dr Adeeko said he felt humbled but also immensely proud to be given the award. He thanked the Faculty for bestowing the honour and his colleagues who nominated him.

He used the occasion to pay tribute to his practice manager, Wendy Littler, who is celebrating 25 years at the practice.

Dr Adeeko dedicated the award to his colleagues at Newton Medical Centre and the SSP Health team at large.

SSP Health’s Director and GP, Dr Shikha Pitalia, said: “We are so pleased that the fantastic care which Dr Adeeko gives to his patients has been recognised in this way.

“It is an even greater honour when you realise that the award is conferred by his peers and fellow doctors who recognise his abilities.

“Not only is Dr Adeeko a very attentive and well-loved GP, he is Medical Director for SSP Health, giving direction to doctors across our 35 practices throughout the North West of England.

“We are all very proud of him.”

Also, at the same awards, Newton Medical Practice was named as runner-up in the Audit prize, with Dr Adeeko and the practice’s Dr Omon Imohi recognised for their work with others in a study of people with inflammatory bowel disease.

Their project was to create a register for such patients – many of whom can be young and whose symptoms can have a severe effect on their lives.