Inspection turnaround for once troubled GP surgery

Dr Mark Webster has run a surgery in Frenchwood in Preston since 1990.

It serves 1,800 patients in the Avenham and Frenchwood areas.

According to a new report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) the surgery ranks as “good”.

In 2014 the practice was ranked among six in central Lancashire that could be placing patients at risk of harm, with the CQC imposing a Band 1 “highest concern” rating.

Specific risks were raised at each of the practices, including too many people with diabetes.

Dr Webster’s surgery, which employs four part time staff, was also criticised for not having a nurse.

Today the 58-year-old doctor, who qualified in 1982, said: “ We’re like a phoenix from the ashes.

“The CQC has five domains to rate, including if it is well led, and effective.

“It’s been terribly stressful and disheartening for me, the staff, and also the patients.

“We had been criticised as we didn’t have a nurse.

“Our nurse had left and we could not get a replacement straight away and had a locum one day a week. We have a part time nurse of our own now.

“ I’m relieved and happy we are in the good books and off the naughty step.

“We had previously been told our diabetic blood results were not good enough.

“We are not in a particularly affluent area, people have a limited income and don’t always have the money to buy the healthiest options.

“It’s not an excuse but an explanation.”