Fort House Surgery

04/09/2025

📣 Calling all local support groups and initiatives!

Do you have a wellbeing service in Surrey or online that you would like to share? Perhaps you can recommend a fantastic support initiative you have had experience of?

At Fort House Surgery we are hoping to spread awareness of the many services available to those in and around the Walton area via the Wellbeing Wall on our website:

https://www.forthousesurgery.nhs.uk/category/wellbeing-wall/

We regularly update this online noticeboard with any fantastic local or online services we hear about, to encourage our patients and the wider community to make use of the help on offer.

Please get in touch with us via Facebook, Instagram or by emailing forthousesurgery@nhs.net and we would love to share the support you offer too.

01/09/2025

🚨 Emergency Alert Test

The UK Emergency Alert Test will take place on Sunday 7th September 2025 at 3pm.

Survivors of domestic abuse, using a hidden or emergency phone, should be aware that a loud siren will sound on all phones, even on silent. To stay safe:

▪️switch off or use airplane mode on hidden devices
▪️share this message with anyone at risk
▪️safeguarding professionals should inform clients in advance

Anyone in need of help and support, can call the Surrey Domestic Abuse Helpline provided by Your Sanctuary on 01483 776822 (9am to 9pm, 7 days a week): https://www.yoursanctuary.org.uk/

For more information about the Emergency Alert Test please visit https://www.gov.uk/alerts/public-testing

28/08/2025

📌New Patient Registrations

Fort House Surgery has some limited places for new patients to register with the surgery. We are still operating under a capped list size of 13,500.

We will reopen our patient list for a short period of time on a Wednesday morning at 9:00am.

We plan to reopen for three Wednesdays in September (3rd, 10th and 17th).

To check catchment eligibility and to register, please follow this link: https://www.forthousesurgery.nhs.uk/contact-us/register/

Once capacity has been reached, we will turn off the form and no more new patients can be accepted.

**Please note the new time of 9:00am for the forms to ‘go live’**

21/08/2025

💉 Flu and Covid Vaccinations 💉

Our Winter Vaccination Programme for Flu and Covid will start in September.

Please follow the link to our website to see the full vaccination schedule:

https://www.forthousesurgery.nhs.uk/services/clinics/flu-covid-vaccinations/

▪️We will be holding clinics on Saturday 4th October and Saturday 11th October for both Covid and Flu vaccinations, with additional clinics during the weeks.

▪️Bookings will open on 1st September and we will send booking links by text.

▪️Please do use the opportunity to have these vaccinations at the surgery.

Please refer to the NHS website for full guidance on Flu and Covid criteria and eligibility: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/

14/08/2025

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

12/08/2025

You can now donate to the Walton & Hersham FoodBank when you visit the practice!

Please drop donations in the collection crate in our entrance lobby.

For more details on what is needed, check out the link below or scan the QR code on the posters:
https://waltonhersham.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/

👉🏻We have a new donation point at Fort House Surgery!
Thank you so much to the team for setting this up for us.😊
To find out what we need, check out our website or scan the QR code on the posters.

https://waltonhersham.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/

Can’t wait to see it fill up!
💚

11/08/2025

NHS Cervical Screening Programme – Digital results launching September 2025
From September 2025, NHS plans to start sending results from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, utilising the NHS App.

In September, those who have a negative test result will be notified of this by an NHS App message. It will also appear as an NHS App notification. If the NHS App message isn’t read within 72 hours, a letter will be sent as a failsafe.

Abnormal result letters will continue for the time being to be delivered by post.

Please download the NHS App and turn on notifications:

Download the NHS App, or open the NHS website in a web browser, to set up and log in to your NHS account. Owned and run by the NHS, your NHS account is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services online.

04/08/2025

31/07/2025

Free Bereavement Support

The Brigitte Trust is running free structured 8-week bereavement programmes run by a professional facilitator for anyone in Surrey struggling with their own grief and bereavement.

The aims of the programme are to:

▫️provide support with focus
▫️encourage mutual support
▫️share experiences
▫️learn new coping strategies
▫️develop some altered thought patterns

The sessions are limited to a maximum of 12 people and offered in different parts of Surrey according to need.

For more information or to book a place contact Sarah Pattenden on 07469 932192 or email sarah.pattenden@brigittetrust.com

To find out more about all the services that The Brigitte Trust offer please click the following link: https://www.brigittetrust.org/our-services/

23/07/2025

In January 2024 Citizens Advice launched their first GP outreach location here at Fort House Surgery.

Here we share some of the fantastic feedback we have received from those who have benefited from their support.

As the UK’s largest advice provider, Citizens Advice can help you deal with any issue, from anyone - including debt, employment and benefits entitlement, to consumer and housing issues, plus everything in between.

The CAB team are at the practice 4 days a week. If you would like to access their help, you can be referred by your clinician or self-refer via the online appointment form: https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020

For more information on the partnership and project, click on the following link: https://www.caew.org.uk/how-to-get-help/gp-outreach-project/

11/07/2025

Prostate Cancer: Dr Bates in conversation with Professor Stephen Langley

🔹As part of our Men's Health campaign, Fort House's Dr Tim Bates was delighted to be joined by Professor Stephen Langley, to discuss the vital topic of men's health issues related to the prostate. Professor Langley is a Professor of Urology working in Guildford at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, the Guildford Nuffield and the London Bridge Hospital.

🔹Join their conversation as Dr Bates and Professor Langley tell us all about Prostate cancer - including the importance of screening, its symptoms and the treatments available. Professor Langley also fills us in us on the exciting advancements underway in screening methods in the UK.

🔹Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer affecting men with 55,000 men a year in the UK being diagnosed with the disease. Early stages of the disease causes no symptoms which is why timely detection and screening is key to achieving a successful cure. What's more, a simple PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test is the first stage of the diagnostic process.

If you are a Fort House patient and have any concerns, or are interested in having a PSA test, please contact us at the surgery via the online booking form: https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020
If you are registered elsewhere, please get in touch with your GP to request a test.

To learn more about Professor Langley and his clinics, please visit www.prostatebrachytherapycentre.com or contact his office via telephone on 01483 575511 or email at secretary@specialisturology.com

A huge thank you to Professor Langley for helping us share such a valuable insight into Prostate Cancer.

Please share with anyone who could benefit from this advice.

09/07/2025

❓SAFE and WELL in your home❓

Do you know anyone that may be in need of additional help and support?

🔸Book a free Safe and Well visit with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. They visit homes to provide personalised fire and safety advice and if necessary, supply and install fire safety equipment free of charge.

🔸To book a free Safe and Well Visit for yourself, or refer a loved one or someone you’re worried about, do one of the following:

▪️Visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/safeandwell
▪️Call free on 0800 085 0767
▪️Text 07971 691898 with: your name / a contact number / your postcode / your primary concern – such as smoke alarms, a disability, or safety concern