- GP practice
The River Surgery
Assessment report published 26 May 2026
Contents
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
Caring
We looked for evidence that the service 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.
People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and treatment. The service supported staff wellbeing.
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.
Kindness, compassion and dignity
The service always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.
Arrangements were in place to promote people’s privacy. National GP Patient Survey data showed people who responded had an overall positive experience of their GP practice. Staff we spoke with understood Gillick competency and there was a process to ensure young adults had control over their own privacy and the amount of parental involvement in managing their care and support.
During our visit, we observed a friendly and helpful approach from reception staff, who adapted their communication and support to meet the individual needs of each person.
Treating people as individuals
The service treated people as individuals and made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.
Patients’ personal, cultural, social, religious and equality characteristics needs were understood and met. Patient communication needs were met to enable them to be fully involved in their care. National GP Patient Survey data reflected people felt the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at listening to them during their last general practice appointment. The percentage for the surgery was higher than the national average.
Independence, choice and control
The service promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.
Staff helped people and their carers to access advocacy and community-based services.
Responding to people’s immediate needs
The service listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress.
There was a system for appointment triage that ensured people with immediate needs had access to services. Staff we spoke with knew the process for referral to emergency support.
Workforce wellbeing and enablement
The service cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff and supported and enabled staff to always deliver person-centred care.
Staff told us they were valued by leaders. Leaders had taken steps to recognise and meet the wellbeing needs of staff, which included the necessary resources and facilities for safe working. Staff reported being supported if they were struggling at work.