Dr Simon John Shaw is a single handed GP providing primary medical services from the Geoffrey Street Surgery in Preston.

Patients we spoke with during our inspection are happy with the care and treatment they received.

We found the service is provided in a clean and hygienic environment and there are systems in place to ensure the safety of patients.

We found medicines management is safe, with the practice making appropriate checks on medicines.

Patients receive a caring service and told us they were involved in discussions about the health care they received and we saw patients being treated with sensitivity and respect by reception staff.

We found the service is effective in meeting the needs of patient’s. They use best practice guidance and work effectively with other health and social care professionals, as well as out of hour’s services to provide joined up care for patients.

The practice is responsive to the needs of the majority of patients attending the practice. However provision is not effective in meeting the needs of patients where English was not their first language.

All staff have access to equipment, guidance, protocols and pathways to make clinical decisions and provide safe effective care for patients.

There is strong and visible leadership from Dr Shaw with a culture of openness across the practice.

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Simon John Shaw on 19 July 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good. Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety. Although there was a stable staff team established, for future recruitment purposes we noted there was no formal recruitment policy. This should be implemented to include the information required in the recruitment checklist.

• Systems were in place for reporting and recording significant events.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. However infection control was not being regularly audited.

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.

• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.

• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with the GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.

• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

The areas where the provider should make improvements :

• Ensure a formal recruitment policy is implemented which includes the information required in the recruitment checklist.

• Maintain security in unauthorised areas.

• The practice should promote online services to all patients.

• The practice should develop a patient reference group in order to consult more widely about patient views and experiences and seek relevant improvement.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice