Fort House Surgery

02/03/2026

March is

If you have any concerns, please contact us at the surgery and request an appointment: https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020

23/02/2026

This week is Eating Disorder Awareness Week. We’re sharing this post from Beat, which highlights the importance of community and connection.

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone close to you, support is available. Visit https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ or contact the surgery to arrange an appointment: https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020

18/02/2026

👋 Meet the Team!

Meet GP Dr Vicky Gavins who joined the practice last September.

🔹 Dr Gavins graduated from Peninsula Medical school in 2016 and gained experience working in South Wales before moving to Sydney, where she also completed her Yoga Teacher Training. She is a strong believer in the benefits of lifestyle medicine and wellbeing in achieving positive health outcomes.

🔹 She has a particular interest in women’s health and menopause and holds the Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Diploma of Sexual and Reproductive health and the CoSRH Menopause Care Professional Certificate.

Outside of work she plays tennis for her local team and loves running with her dog.

11/02/2026

This we want to remind families that support is available for children and young people who may be struggling.

If you or your child need someone to talk to, these services are here to help:

Mindworks Surrey – 24/7 Mental Health Crisis line. Call 0800 915 4644 or NHS111:
🔗 https://www.mindworks-surrey.org/

The Mix – Emotional support for under 25s: Text THEMIX to 85258, Always open:
🔗 https://www.themix.org.uk/

Childline – Call 0800 1111 for confidential support for children and teens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
🔗 https://www.childline.org.uk/

YoungMinds Parents Helpline - Call 0808 802 5544. Open Monday, Thursday & Friday 9.30am-4pm, Tuesday & Wednesday 9.30am – 6pm:
🔗 https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

CYP Haven Support Line - Call 01483 519436 for support during the following hours. From Monday-Friday 3.30-7.30pm and on Sunday (not bank holidays) 1-4pm:
🔗 https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/families/support-and-advice/young-people/cyp-haven

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health and would like advice, you can also make an appointment at the surgery: https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020

09/02/2026

This week is organised by Place2Be 💛

It is a great opportunity to highlight some local and online sources of mental health and wellbeing advice for children and their parents.

At Fort House Surgery, we want to remind families that support is available if your child is feeling anxious, low, or just needs someone to talk to. Some trusted local and national services include:

Mindworks Surrey – the children and young people’s Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health and Learning Disability services in Surrey offering emotional wellbeing support for children and young people:

🔗 https://www.mindworks-surrey.org/

The Mix – free confidential support for under 25s:

🔗 https://www.themix.org.uk/

Kooth – free, safe, and anonymous digital mental health and wellbeing support platform for young people:

🔗 https://www.kooth.com/

The Eikon Charity – free mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people in Surrey:

🔗 https://eikon.org.uk/

FamilyLives – free support services to help you with parenting and family challenges:

🔗 https://www.familylives.org.uk/

Don't forget, you can also book an appointment at the surgery if you would like to discuss your child’s wellbeing with a GP: https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020

05/02/2026

Brave the big talk this 💬
The nation’s biggest mental health conversation.

At Fort House Surgery, we know just how important it is to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health, and we take a holistic approach to supporting your overall wellbeing.

Opening up about our mental health can be the first step towards getting help. If you or someone you care about needs support, visit mind.org.uk/TimeToTalkDay

💚 Did you know there is also local support available?

If you want to improve your mental wellbeing, are feeling anxious or depressed, or life feels too difficult right now, Healthy Surrey offer a range of free and confidential services:
🔗 https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/mental-wellbeing

Mind Matters are your local NHS provider, offering free and confidential talking therapies for people aged 17+ registered with a Surrey GP. Their trained therapists provide individual therapy, guided self-help online, and group courses:
🔗 https://www.mindmattersnhs.co.uk/

The Mary Frances Trust provides free mental wellbeing support to Surrey residents aged 16+. You can self-refer, or be referred by a professional, carer, or family member:
🔗 https://www.maryfrancestrust.org.uk/

With You Talking Therapies provides free, confidential counselling and CBT in Surrey. They support people experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, or feelings of low mood and hopelessness:
🔗 https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/local-hubs/surrey-talking-therapies

Don’t forget, you can also check out our Wellbeing Wall on our website and in the surgery, for information on other local support groups and services available in the community: https://www.forthousesurgery.nhs.uk/category/wellbeing-wall/

You can also request an appointment here at the surgery if you’re concerned about your mental health or would like advice: https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020

04/02/2026

📌 Don’t forget to pop into our Men’s Health Drop-In Clinic this evening, 5.30–6.30pm.

Today is , and February is - a great reminder that simple, early screening checks can make a real difference in reducing the risk of conditions like prostate cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

No appointment needed – just walk in!

**You must be currently registered with Fort House Surgery to attend**

🚹 Men’s Health Drop-In Clinics Are Back!

Our successful men’s health drop-in sessions are continuing this year following a strong response and meaningful clinical outcomes. These sessions are open to all male patients of Fort House Surgery, with a particular focus on those aged 40–75 who haven’t had a health check in the last three years.

📅 When? Wednesday 4th February
⏰ Time? 5:30–6:30pm
📍 Where? Fort House Surgery
🌍 Coinciding with World Cancer Day

So far, over 40 men have attended, leading to the detection of high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and significantly, one new diagnosis of prostate cancer. These results highlight the value of these timely health checks and early detection.

Pop in for a great opportunity to speak with a range of clinicians and services, and to have the following checked:

✅ Height
✅ Weight
✅ BMI
✅ Blood Pressure
✅ HbA1c (average blood sugar to check for diabetes)*
✅ Cholesterol*
✅ PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)*
*if eligible

🩺 No booking required — just turn up.

**You must currently be registered with Fort House Surgery to attend**

30/01/2026

🚹 This Is Why Men’s Health Checks Matter

40+ men attended so far.
Hidden conditions uncovered:
• High blood pressure
• Raised cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation
• One new prostate cancer diagnosis

No symptoms. No warning signs. Just the right check at the right time.

👉 Male Fort House Surgery patients: drop in to the Men’s Health Clinic on Wednesday 4th February from 5.30 - 6.30pm
👉 Everyone else: share this with someone who might need it

Early detection saves lives

No booking required – just walk in to access some simple health checks and advice

**You must currently be registered with Fort House Surgery to attend**

27/01/2026

🚹 Men’s Health Drop-In Clinics Are Back!

Our successful men’s health drop-in sessions are continuing this year following a strong response and meaningful clinical outcomes. These sessions are open to all male patients of Fort House Surgery, with a particular focus on those aged 40–75 who haven’t had a health check in the last three years.

📅 When? Wednesday 4th February
⏰ Time? 5:30–6:30pm
📍 Where? Fort House Surgery
🌍 Coinciding with World Cancer Day

So far, over 40 men have attended, leading to the detection of high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and significantly, one new diagnosis of prostate cancer. These results highlight the value of these timely health checks and early detection.

Pop in for a great opportunity to speak with a range of clinicians and services, and to have the following checked:

✅ Height
✅ Weight
✅ BMI
✅ Blood Pressure
✅ HbA1c (average blood sugar to check for diabetes)*
✅ Cholesterol*
✅ PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)*
*if eligible

🩺 No booking required — just turn up.

**You must currently be registered with Fort House Surgery to attend**

27/01/2026

Bowel cancer screening in England is improving. Find out how ⬇

When your kit arrives, put it by the loo. Don't put it off.

22/01/2026

📢 Our January Newsletter is now available!

For practice updates and news, upcoming webinars, and details of our next Men’s Health Drop-In Clinic, read the full newsletter here:https://www.forthousesurgery.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/1225/2026/01/Fort-House-Surgery-Newsletter-January-2026-1.pdf

20/01/2026

This week its week. All week The Eve Appeal will be sharing information on HPV and the role of the HPV vaccination and cervical screening in cancer prevention. Follow them or visit their website to find out more: https://eveappeal.org.uk/

Don't forget to book your cervical screening appointment when you are invited. Book via our online form or calling the surgery: https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/h81020

If you are unsure if you are due for your screening or have any other concerns, please get in touch via the online form above or by calling our Reception team on 01932 253 055.

It's Cervical Cancer Prevention Week! All week we will be sharing information on HPV and the role of the HPV vaccination and cervical screening in cancer prevention.

Every day in the UK, two women and people with a cervix lose their lives to cervical cancer and nine more receive a life-changing diagnosis. We have a real opportunity to change this.

Cervical cancer is almost wholly preventable, and the government and NHS England have launched their plan to eliminate it by 2040. To get us to our goal of cervical cancer elimination, three key things are needed:
-9 in 10 girls vaccinated as part of the schools’ HPV vaccination programme or catch-up programme
-7 in 10 women and people with a cervix screened as part of the cervical screening programme
-9 in 10 women and people with a cervix who have precancerous cell changes, or cancer, identified and treated.

Yet, HPV vaccination and cervical screening uptake is still well below what is needed to reach our goal of eliminating cervical cancer.

Our survey (YouGov) found that around 3 in 4 people said they would be willing to get a vaccination to help reduce the risk of six types of cancer if they were eligible. Yet only 1 in 2 said they would get the HPV vaccination, which does help to reduce the risk of six types of cancer.

Out of the people we surveyed between 18-24 year olds, many of which will be eligible for the HPV vaccination as part of the catch-up programme, 4 in 5 said they would be willing to get a vaccination if it helped reduce the risk of six cancers.

Only 1 in 2 people we surveyed were aware that cervical cancer can be caused by HPV.

Awareness was even lower for the other five cancers – around 1 in 3 were aware HPV could cause vulval and vaginal cancers. Around 1 in 5 people were aware HPV could cause a**l and pe**le cancers. Just 8 in 100 people are aware HPV could cause head and neck cancers.

Keep an eye on our socials through the week for more information.

Find out more on our blog: https://bit.ly/49Elhbj

You can also find information on HPV, HPV vaccination and cervical screening on our website: eveappeal.org.uk/ccpw

You can also speak to our Ask Eve nurses for free and confidential information and support on nurse@eveappeal.org.uk or 0808 802 0019.