Doctors from outside the UK toured the Thistlemoor Road practice in New England – which pioneered a new way of working – and popped into the Acorn First Steps Children Centre, in Dogsthorpe, to see one of the primary care trust's schemes to get youngsters fit and healthy.

The Finnish delegation – from the World Health Organisation and World Bank – met the husband and wife team Drs Nalini and Jitendra Modha behind Thistlemoor, who showed them how their practice had piloted a paperless surgery where healthcare assistants, nurses and GPs provide a one-stop service for patients – slashing waiting times.

And then in the afternoon, the group took a closer look at the work of Jean Hughes, consultant dietician in obesity management for Peterborough Primary Care Trust.

Finland – like the UK – is experiencing an obesity epidemic and is particularly keen to find out how the city has dealt with the problem.

Dr Nalini Modha said she was delighted the delegation decided to visit the surgery – which has been attracting attention at the highest levels.

She said: "They were only spending two days in the UK and one of those was in Peterborough.

"The head of department from general practice was very interested in looking at our model and replicating it in Finland.

"We have had more than 60 practices come to visit us. This was the first time people in healthcare from another country have visited.

"Most practices have doctors and nurses, but they didn't think of using healthcare assistants to improve patient care and access to patients."

The nurses use a computer-based protocol, developed by Dr Modha, to guide them through the consultation.

The protocol sets out what questions they should ask and treatment options – freeing up doctors' time.

Jean Hughes, who has been tasked with reducing the city's rocketing obesity rates and has helped implement a range of innovative projects, said: "The Finnish delegation expressed an interest in understanding how we, in Britain, are dealing with the obesity crisis.

"They have a similar situation and what they are most concerned about is childhood obesity.

"I'm delighted they came here.

"We have done some interesting work in Peterborough.

"Being a small PCT, we have been able to develop partnerships and have an impact in this area.

"We do have a significant problem in terms of obesity, but it is no different to other areas of the UK.

"We took the delegation to the children's centre, where they have set up the MEND programme, which stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It.

"We also told them about the work of the Greater Dogsthorpe Partnership who have set up allotments.

"We have one of the best records in terms of healthy schools.

"Peterborough is doing something innovative."