Fort House Surgery

10/10/2025

is a great opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of taking care of our mental health, as well as to highlight some of the specialist local support that is available.

If you want to improve your mental wellbeing, are feeling anxious or depressed, or life is too difficult right now, Healthy Surrey have a range of free and confidential services to support you:

https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/mental-wellbeing

Mind Matters are your local NHS provider offering free and confidential talking therapies to people aged 17+ registered with a Surrey GP. Their trained and accredited therapists will assess how best they can support you. They offer individual therapies, guided self-help online and group courses to help treat a wide range of mental health issues:

https://www.mindmattersnhs.co.uk/

Sport in Mind are a charity that uses sport and physical activity to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems. Sessions take place across Surrey every week and operate all year round:

https://www.sportinmind.org/surrey

The Lucy Rayner Foundation provide a range of mental health support services, including counselling and mental health support groups throughout Surrey. They passionately believe that mental health should be accessible to all and are strong advocates of raising mental health awareness, especially among young adults:

https://thelucyraynerfoundation.com/

The Mary Frances Trust provide free mental wellbeing support to Surrey residents (aged 16+) experiencing any kind of mental or emotional health issues through a variety of services. You can refer yourself or you can be referred by a professional, a carer or a family member:

https://www.maryfrancestrust.org.uk/services-we-offer/

Mindworks Surrey are the children and young people's emotional wellbeing, mental health and learning disability service in Surrey. They offer a range of wellbeing and mental health services for young people:

https://www.mindworks-surrey.org/

You can of course also request an appointment here at the surgery if you are concerned, or would like advice, about your mental health:

https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020

It’s good to talk…

08/10/2025

Did you know that women aged 50-70 registered with a GP are routinely invited for FREE NHS Breast Screening every 3 years?

📍Your local van will be located at St Peter's Hospital, Guildford Road, Chertsey KT16 0PZ

Over 6000 women are invited every month for screening but 35% do not attend.

Breast screening can help spot breast cancer sooner - please try and attend your appointment.

If you can't attend please call 0333 200 2062 and you will be offered an alternative appointment.

29/09/2025

Don't forget to pop in to our Men's Health Walk-In Clinic this evening 5.30-7.30pm!

Today is . Simple, early screening checks now can play a crucial role in lowering the risks of developing conditions such as heart disease, prostate cancer and diabetes in the future.

No appointment needed, just walk in!

📌 This service is available to patients currently registered with Fort House Surgery only

🚹 Men’s Health Walk-In Clinic – Save the Date 🚹

Save the date for our next Men’s Health Walk-In Clinic at Fort House Surgery on:

🗓️ Monday 29th September (World Heart Day)
🕠 5:30 – 7:30pm
📍 Fort House Surgery

In June we trialled our first Men’s Health Walk-In Clinic at the practice. It was a great success, giving men the opportunity to access important health checks & learn more about the wellbeing services available. Of those men who attended:

▪️ 11 were referred to Healthy Surrey
▪️ 3 had elevated cholesterol & were referred for further management
▪️ 2 had pre-diabetes & were referred to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme
▪️ 3 had elevated blood pressure & were referred for 24-hr monitoring

This World Heart Day, we are once again encouraging men to take a proactive approach to their health. Early checks and simple lifestyle changes can play a vital role in lowering the risk of conditions such as heart disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes.

Drop in to speak with a range of clinicians & to have some key health checks, including:

✅ Height, weight, BMI
✅ Blood pressure
✅ HbA1c (average blood sugar to check diabetes risk)*
✅ Cholesterol*
✅ PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)*

(*where eligible)

Please note: This service is available to patients currently registered with Fort House Surgery only.

No appointments needed – just walk in…

25/09/2025

🚹 Men’s Health Walk-In Clinic

All men benefit from regular health checks, but did you know that men from diverse ethnic backgrounds are more likely to develop chronic conditions such as:

• Type 2 Diabetes,
• Hypertension and
• High Cholesterol

And that Black men are around FOUR times more likely to get prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Dr Sitso Amankwah, one of the GP partners here at the surgery, shares why our Men’s Health Walk-In Clinic is a great opportunity for all men to have some key health checks and why we’re encouraging more of our patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds, to join us:

🗓️ Monday 29th September (World Heart Day)
🕠 5:30 – 7:30pm
📍 Fort House Surgery

Pop in to chat to clinicians and access screening checks such as:

🔹BMI
🔹Blood pressure
🔹HbA1c (average blood sugar to check diabetes risk)*
🔹Cholesterol*
🔹PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)*

*where eligible

These simple, early checks now can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of developing chronic conditions in the future.

📌 This service is available to patients currently registered with Fort House Surgery only.

No appointment needed, just walk in!

24/09/2025

📌 The Hive opens today from 2.30-4.30pm!

The Hive: A Social Space for Carers

A new exciting carers group is coming to Fort House in September!

If you are looking for a space to take a break, switch off and meet like-minded people, The Hive is for you.

📅 When: 24th September

⏰ Time: 2.30 – 4.30pm

📍 Where: Fort House Surgery

Activities will range from learning new creative skills to sitting and socialising with friends. First and foremost it will be a group where you can come, feel comfortable and meet people who understand.

For more information please contact the surgery on 01932 253055 or email forthousesurgery@nhs.net

Please note: The Hive is only open to patients currently registered with Fort House Surgery.

23/09/2025

📌 Free Community Event focused on Healthy Ageing - including advice and free activity taster sessions

Come along to the Healthy Ageing Event
📅 Wednesday 1 October 2025
🕚 11:30am to 1:30pm
📍 Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex
We’re working with local health and community partners to bring you an event focused on ageing well. Whether you're looking to stay active, connect with others, or get expert advice, this event has something for everyone.
🔍 What’s happening?
🔹 Healthy Ageing Information Hub – Drop in or book a 1-to-1 advice session: wellbeing@elmbridge.gov.uk
🔹 Free activity taster sessions with Places Leisure (mobility, strength and balance, table tennis, badminton and walking football (includes a free gift & guest pass)
🔹 Get expert advice on everything from assistive tech and falls prevention to mental health, legal support, exercise and inclusive cultural activities.
🔹 Meet reps from:
Age UK Surrey and Elmbridge Borough Council care and repair , Dementia Services and Connected Communities to help older people remain independent and supported
Citizens Advice Esher & District Citizens Advice Elmbridge West for legal matters
Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for Macmillan Cancer Support and Surrey Downs Health and Care (musculoskeletal issues)
Sport in Mind and Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex (exercise advice)
Connect to Support Surrey (Adult Social Care)
Mary Frances Trust (mental health)
The Counselling Partnership and Princess Alice Hospice (Compassionate Neighbours)
Walton Charity - advice with grants, accommodation, financial hardship, health and wellbeing and the team encouraging older people to share their knowledge, skills and interests in a friendly environment
🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/xhny50WXAKh

19/09/2025

📌 Don't forget that our new social group for carers starts next week! 😊

The Hive: A Social Space for Carers

A new exciting carers group is coming to Fort House in September!

If you are looking for a space to take a break, switch off and meet like-minded people, The Hive is for you.

📅 When: 24th September

⏰ Time: 2.30 – 4.30pm

📍 Where: Fort House Surgery

Activities will range from learning new creative skills to sitting and socialising with friends. First and foremost it will be a group where you can come, feel comfortable and meet people who understand.

For more information please contact the surgery on 01932 253055 or email forthousesurgery@nhs.net

Please note: The Hive is only open to patients currently registered with Fort House Surgery.

17/09/2025

FREE WOMEN'S HEALTH WEBINARS

A series of free GP-led online sessions are being held for people in Surrey to learn about women’s health conditions. For more information follow this link: https://www.surreyheartlands.org/news-centre/free-womens-health-webinar-open-to-public-3690

The next webinar will take place tonight Wednesday 17th September at 7.30pm-8.30pm on endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding and painful periods in adolescence.

The follow webinars are planned over the coming months (dates and times to be confirmed):

▪️October: Fertility and Cervical Screening
▪️November: Menopause

The webinars are open to all and are run by a GP, who will also answer questions.

People will need to register for the event beforehand, following this link: d4414b4c-f23b-4723-87af-d619fe535735@37c354b2-85b0-47f5-b222-07b48d774ee3" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d4414b4c-f23b-4723-87af-d619fe535735@37c354b2-85b0-47f5-b222-07b48d774ee3

16/09/2025

🚹 Men’s Health Walk-In Clinic – Save the Date 🚹

Save the date for our next Men’s Health Walk-In Clinic at Fort House Surgery on:

🗓️ Monday 29th September (World Heart Day)
🕠 5:30 – 7:30pm
📍 Fort House Surgery

In June we trialled our first Men’s Health Walk-In Clinic at the practice. It was a great success, giving men the opportunity to access important health checks & learn more about the wellbeing services available. Of those men who attended:

▪️ 11 were referred to Healthy Surrey
▪️ 3 had elevated cholesterol & were referred for further management
▪️ 2 had pre-diabetes & were referred to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme
▪️ 3 had elevated blood pressure & were referred for 24-hr monitoring

This World Heart Day, we are once again encouraging men to take a proactive approach to their health. Early checks and simple lifestyle changes can play a vital role in lowering the risk of conditions such as heart disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes.

Drop in to speak with a range of clinicians & to have some key health checks, including:

✅ Height, weight, BMI
✅ Blood pressure
✅ HbA1c (average blood sugar to check diabetes risk)*
✅ Cholesterol*
✅ PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)*

(*where eligible)

Please note: This service is available to patients currently registered with Fort House Surgery only.

No appointments needed – just walk in…

10/09/2025

This ***dePreventionDay the International Association for Su***de Prevention are hoping to change the narrative on su***de to inspire individuals, communities, organisations, and governments to engage in open and honest discussions about su***de and suicidal behaviour.

By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of understanding and support.

For more information please visit https://www.iasp.info/wspd/

It can often feel daunting to start these conversations, especially with young people. For more advice on having discussions with young people about mental health please follow this link to a useful guide from Mental Health UK available on our Wellbeing Wall:https://www.forthousesurgery.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/1225/2025/09/Your-Resilience-Having-discussions-with-young-people-A4-guide.pdf

***dePreventionDay

10/09/2025

Today is ***dePreventionDay

We would like to share an important message from the Samaritans, and some useful resources on how you can help:

If you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts and show them you care. Small interruptions you make and actions you take could help someone who is suicidal. You don’t have to be an expert to save someone’s life.

To find out how, visit samaritans.org/WSPD

Let’s prevent su***de today. Because tomorrow’s too late.

If you, or someone you know, is in need of urgent mental health support, help is available. For more information on local support, please follow the links to Healthy Surrey and Mind Matters Surrey:

https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/mental-wellbeing/crisis

https://www.mindmattersnhs.co.uk/how-can-we-help-you/refer-yourself/i-am-need-urgent-help

***dePreventionDay

08/09/2025

Join the SMEFathon! Walking 1 million steps to raise £25,000 for Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum's work with communities across Surrey.

Visit www.smef.org.uk to learn more and to find out about the support available.

Take a step for change – Walk our Walk and join the SMEFathon!

From 15th September to 15th October 2025, we’re walking 1 million steps to raise £25,000 for Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum’s work with communities across Surrey.

You can get involved in 3 ways:
🚶🏼🚶🏽‍♀️ Set up your own walk – walk at your own pace, in your own place.
👶 Join our buggy walk (16th September) – perfect for parents and carers with little ones.
👣 Join our SMEFathon community walk (more info soon) – walk together, meet new people, and be part of the movement.

💷Join us to raise funds for SMEF. Get your walk publicised and sponsored. Your steps will help improve health & wellbeing, build community connections, and fund vital outreach & support services.

📲 Register now via the QR code on the poster or click on this link https://forms.office.com/e/wCTDqe1Ecx

and let’s walk towards a stronger, healthier, more connected community.

💬 Tag us in your photos/videos and share your journey using .