GP surgery in Epping Forest
The River Surgery
16 Rous Road, Buckhurst Hill, IG9 6BN
Scores 86 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 89% of patients say their experience is good and 71% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2026. It is taking on new patients.
How the score breaks down
Each line is a score out of 100. The England average is 50 and higher is better. How it works
Getting an appointment 86
- Easy to get through on the phone67
- Easy to contact online54
- Good experience of getting in touch91
- Did not wait too long for the appointment89
Quality of care 81
- Patients rate the surgery as good84
- Patients got what they needed92
- Doctors and nurses listen43
- Patients trust the staff73
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done88
- Meets NHS clinical targets23
- Children vaccinated on time35
What patients say
97 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
71%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
89%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
0
change since last year
2025: 89% · 2026: 89%
Getting in touch
The appointment
All survey questions, compared with England
| What patients said | This surgery | England | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting in touch | |||
| Easy to get through by phone | 71% | 57% | 66% |
| Easy to contact via website | 60% | 58% | 47% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 60% | 54% | 46% |
| Reception staff helpful | 93% | 85% | 92% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 29% | 31% | 34% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 49% | 42% | 41% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 93% | 84% | 92% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 97% | 93% | 97% |
| Good experience of contacting | 90% | 73% | 81% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 71% | 57% | 50% |
| Waiting time was about right | 87% | 69% | 83% |
| Remote appointment | 27% | 26% | 36% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 87% | 87% | 93% |
| Treated with care and concern | 88% | 86% | 93% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 81% | 75% | 77% |
| Had all the information needed | 94% | 92% | 97% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 91% | 92% | 96% |
| Needs were met | 97% | 90% | 95% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 89% | 77% | 89% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 70% | 79% | 74% |
| Supported by local services | 64% | 70% | 68% |
| Discussed managing condition | 48% | 43% | 49% |
| Agreed a care plan | 50% | 46% | 35% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 97 replies, a gap of a few points may just be chance.
What patients tell us
From people who use this surgery. Official data cannot tell you these things.
Tell us about this surgery
10 quick questions, one tap each, no sign-up. Your answers help the next person choosing a GP.
1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?
2 of 10When you last phoned, how long did it take to get through?
3 of 10How did you book your last appointment?
4 of 10Can you usually see the same GP?
5 of 10Was your last appointment on time?
6 of 10Are the reception staff helpful?
7 of 10Did the doctor or nurse listen to you?
8 of 10How easy is it to get a repeat prescription?
9 of 10Is parking easy?
10 of 10Would you recommend this surgery?
Thank you. Your answers are counted.
Reviews
No reviews yet. If you use this surgery, say what it is like.
Write a review
Opening times and contact
| Monday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 14 July 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 16 Rous Road, Buckhurst Hill, IG9 6BN
- Phone
- 020 8504 7364
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.theriversurgery.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Loughton Buckhurst Hill & Chigwell PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- F81216 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bus stop nearby
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Documents available in large print
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
- Off-site car parking nearby
- Paid on-site car parking
- Toilets
- Translation services
- Tube station nearby
- Wheelchair access throughout
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Good |
| Is it effective? | Good |
| Is it caring? | Good |
| Is it responsive? | Good |
| Is it well-led? | Good |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 15.1% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.5% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.2% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.2% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.4% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 11.5% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.2% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 9.4% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 73% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 81% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 76% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 91% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 86% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 56% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 88% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 74% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The River Surgerythis surgery | – | 86 | 71% | 89% | Yes |
| Palmerston Road SurgeryBuckhurst Hill, IG9 5LT | 0.3 miles | 81 | 84% | 89% | Yes |
| Kings Medical CentreBuckhurst Hill, IG9 5LP | 0.4 miles | 70 | 60% | 89% | Yes |
| Loughton Health CentreLoughton, IG10 1HW | 1.4 miles | 5 | 20% | 55% | Yes |
| The Loughton SurgeryLoughton, IG10 1SZ | 1.4 miles | 23 | 53% | 69% | Yes |
| The Broadway SurgeryWoodford Green, IG8 0HF | 1.6 miles | 4 | 28% | 50% | Yes |
| RydalWoodford Green, IG8 9QJ | 2.0 miles | 77 | 68% | 84% | Yes |
| Larkshall Medical CentreLondon, E4 7HS | 2.1 miles | 48 | 61% | 86% | Yes |
| Forest PracticeLoughton, IG10 2NH | 2.1 miles | 19 | 50% | 76% | Yes |
| Chigwell Medical CentreIlford, IG6 2TA | 2.1 miles | 37 | 54% | 68% | Yes |
Common questions
Is The River Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The River Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 020 8504 7364.
How do patients rate The River Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 89% of patients at The River Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 71% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 86 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for The River Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The River Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 26 May 2026).
What are the opening times of The River Surgery?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8am to 6:30pm, Thursday 8am to 6:30pm, Friday 8am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 14 July 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The River Surgery?
Call 020 8504 7364 or visit its website, www.theriversurgery.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 16 Rous Road, Buckhurst Hill, IG9 6BN.
How many patients are registered at The River Surgery?
Around 4,512 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Loughton Buckhurst Hill & Chigwell PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Essex NHS area.
Where this comes from: the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, Care Quality Commission ratings, NHS records of patients, conditions, checks and vaccinations (published through OHID Fingertips), and this surgery's page on the NHS website (checked 20 September 2026). Read how the score is worked out. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.