Seaton Surgery

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

We looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
At our last assessment, we rated this key question as Good. At this assessment, the rating remains the same.
 

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider treated people with kindness, compassion and respect, while promoting their privacy and dignity. National GP Patient Survey published in July 2026 results were positive, with 89% of respondents reporting that the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to treated them with care and concern, compared with 88% across the Integrated Care System (ICS) and 86% nationally.

Arrangements were in place to maintain patients’ privacy and dignity, including the use of privacy curtains in clinical rooms. Information about chaperone arrangements was displayed within the practice, and staff acting as chaperones had received appropriate training. Staff were also supported through relevant training and guidance to ensure confidentiality, dignity and respectful care were maintained at all times.

The provider treated people as individuals and ensured care, support and treatment were tailored to meet their needs and preferences. Patients’ personal, cultural, social, religious and equality needs were understood and respected, and communication needs were met to help people participate fully in decisions about their care, including the provision of information in accessible formats where required.

Reasonable adjustments were made to provide tailored support for patients with additional needs. For example, where appropriate, patients with learning disabilities or autism could be offered longer appointments and appointments at quieter times of the day to reduce pressure and allow sufficient time for consultations.
 

The provider promoted people’s independence and supported them to exercise choice and control over their care, treatment and wellbeing. Staff helped patients and carers access advocacy and community-based support providers where needed. Patient feedback was positive, with 97% of respondents to the latest National GP Patient Survey reporting they were involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment during their last general provider appointment, compared with 93% across the Integrated Care System (ICS) and 92% nationally. This demonstrated that patients felt actively involved in decisions affecting their care and wellbeing.

The provider listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. There was an effective appointment triage system in place to ensure people with urgent needs could access providers promptly. Staff were aware of referral pathways for urgent support, including mental health crisis providers, and acted appropriately to minimise distress and respond to patients’ immediate needs. As a small provider, staff were familiar with many of their patients and understood the needs of their local population. This helped them provide personalised care and respond effectively to individual circumstances and preferences.

The provider cared about and promoted the wellbeing of its staff and supported them to deliver person-centred care. Staff told us they felt valued by approachable leaders who fostered an open culture where concerns could be raised freely. Feedback from staff was positive, with colleagues describing a supportive team environment and responsive leadership. The provider promoted staff wellbeing through access to wellbeing resources, team-building activities and flexible working arrangements, including support for staff with family or caring responsibilities. Reasonable adjustments were made where needed, including specialist equipment and occupational health support, and arrangements were in place to ensure staff had regular breaks and access to facilities that supported their wellbeing at work.