The Practice Plc, one of the UK's leading providers of primary care, has been short listed for primary care provider of the year at the prestigious HealthInvestor Awards 2010. Joining seven other finalists the winner will be announced at the ceremony on May 27th. Making the finals last year and winning the category in 2008, The Practice is hoping this year will see them take home the honour once again. In the last year the private healthcare provider has opened four GP-led health centres/walk-in centres, added a further four GP surgeries and seen over 250,000 patients. With more in the pipeline, the business has big plans afoot for 2010 and aims to continue to bring patient care back to the community and take key services out of hospitals, and in doing so offer greater flexibility and access for everybody. Operating GP surgeries and new style GP-led health centres, The Practice also provides GP services into community hospitals and secure environments such as prisons and is one of the UK's leading providers of primary care ophthalmology services and other community based outpatient clinics. With an impressive judging panel featuring Lord Ara Darzi - whose reforms have been heavily present in The Practice's centres - Bob Ricketts from the Department of Health and Susan Anderson, director of public service and skills, CBI, to name just a few, the winners have been judged against strict criteria and will now have an anxious wait until the final announcements at the end of May. Now in their fourth year the awards promote excellence and innovation in the health care sector, and recognise organisations and individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to the industry. Says Peter Watts, Chief Executive at The Practice Plc: "We are delighted to have been short listed for such a prestigious award. The last 12 months have been incredibly busy and we've been involved in some exciting new projects. All of these are focused on improving access to community based services and delivering the highest standards of patient care." | 
