Patient safety concerns allayed over 'inaccurate' medical notes at Leyland GP practice - but investigations continue

A patient safety review was launched last October after issues were raised about record-keeping at Station Surgery on Golden Hill Lane.

As the Lancashire Post revealed at the time, the NHS investigation into the matter focused on those with long-term chronic conditions – about half of the total 2,800 individuals on the surgery’s books.

It is not known whether that inquiry discovered any further inaccuracies over and above the 800 initially identified, but it is understood that a review of the entire patient list was ultimately deemed unnecessary.

However, the matter has now been referred to “other agencies”, having been examined by NHS England and the internal audit agency used by Chorley and South Ribble clinical commissioning group (CCG).

Meanwhile, patients have been told that there are no outstanding concerns about their treatment.

The inaccuracies emerged shortly after Park View Surgery in Preston took over the running of Station Surgery following the sudden death of its sole GP, Dr. George Ahad, in April 2019. Dr. Ahad had founded the practice just over three decades earlier and was the subject of warm tributes from patients after his passing.

Patients whose notes were found to be incorrect were all invited to attend appointments in order for the problems to be put right.

A spokesperson for Chorley and South Ribble CCG said that a “comprehensive review” had now been concluded.

“We are pleased to confirm that the patient safety review is now closed and all patients affected have been seen and any individual care matters resolved as required. Registered patients should be reassured that no further issues are outstanding or expected and we would like to thank them for their understanding and co-operation during this time.

“During the course of the investigation some matters were identified which required referral to other agencies. These matters do not relate directly to individual patient care and should not cause any concern to patients about the safety or quality of care they will receive at Station Surgery now or in the future.

“However, these matters are still under investigation and no further comment can be made at this stage.”

Dr. Ahad’s passing threw the future of Station Surgery into doubt, with the CCG having to decide whether to disperse patients to other practices in the area or try to find a new operator. Last September, members opted to keep the practice open and extend the arrangement with Park View to continue running it until a permanent provider could be procured.

The Post understands that that process is nearing completion.