September Newsletter

 

Staff changes

  • Dr Moriarty has recently left for Maternity leave Dr Malvankar will be covering for her.
  • We shall unfortunately be saying goodbye to Dr Xiradakis who after working with us here at St Andrew’s for the past four years is moving on to work in A&E, we wish her all the best.
 

Registration

We are still taking on new patients, please visit our New Patient Registration page.

PPG

We are looking for new members for our Patient Participation Group to discuss and
implement patient discussion about the practice. If you are interested in joining, please complete our secure online form.

 

Macmillan tea and coffee morning

On the 26th of September between 9am and 2pm in Southborough civic centre (the Library building). Tea, coffee and cakes will be served for a small fee, all proceeds going towards Macmillan.

If you can donate a cake or two it would be much appreciated! Please visit the Macmillan website if you wish to make a donation.

coffee morning
 

Vaccination appointments

In addition to recommended vaccines for children, we are offering the current immunisations:

  • RSV: This is available all year round to pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy and to adults aged 75 to 79.
  • Flu vaccines: In we shall begin to do nasal flu vaccines for children who turned 2 or 3 on 31st August 2025 and for those who are pregnant. You may book these appointments now. We will be issuing the flu jab for those 65 or over and for all with qualifying factors in .
  • Shingles: For adults aged 50 and over, and those with a severely weakened immune system from age 18. This vaccine is offered all year.
  • Pneumococcal (pneumonia): First given at the 16 week baby immunisations, again at 1 year immunisations and offered to all aged 65 and above. People with certain conditions may be offered it from 18 years and up. This vaccine is offered all year.

Mental health support

Whilst we at SAMC can help with your mental health there are many places you can go to for support.

  • If it is your first time seeing someone about your mental health, you can be seen by our first contact mental health practitioner.
  • The mental health navigators can connect people over the age of 18 to community
    groups, activities and services in the local area who can help you with these issues.
    You can self refer to this service via the Tunbridge Wells PCN website.
  • If your more interested in just finding a place you can chat to others, you may be interested in The Chatty Café, held along the hight street at the earl grey tea rooms every Monday and Tuesday 2.30pm to 3.30pm and at café 137 every Friday 10am to 12pm.
 

Ask our pharmacy first

The pharmacy is an excellent first point of contact for simple medical queries and can also issue antibiotics if necessary

To reduce the burden on GP appointments you may be directed to the pharmacy for the following conditions

 

Appointments not attended 

Session Type DNAs Week Avg
Nurse Category 176 (5.6%) 13.5
GP Category 61 (1%) 4.7

Whilst we are aware people cannot always help missing appointments, it is important to inform us. Currently 4 and a half hours worth of a GP or nurse time is wasted per week. There is a high demand for appointments especially those with a GP, so if you cannot attend an appointment, please contact us by telephoning the surgery on 01892 515455 or cancelling by SMS.

Published: Sep 12, 2025