October 2025 Patient Newsletter
🎃 Our monthly round up
As we head into autumn, the team at Tudor Lodge would like to share a few updates and health reminders to help you stay well through the colder months. October brings Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stoptober and the start of the flu and COVID vaccination season. Inside this issue, you’ll find useful information on staying healthy this autumn and how to make the most of our practice services.
The team had a busy September. We,
- Processed 1592 prescriptions.
- Answered 3101 phone calls
- Processed 2783 online requests (that’s an average of 93 requests a day)
- Delivered 2737 appointments (face-to-face and telephone).
- Offered 2496 GP appointments, 735 nurse appointments and 330 other healthcare appointments.
🛑 Let’s quit smoking together this Stoptober
Stoptober is back, and we’re calling on England’s smokers to join millions of others who have quit successfully with the campaign. The good news is that if you quit smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good. Going ‘cold turkey’ is still the most common way that people attempt to give up, but quit attempts are successful more often when using quit smoking support. That’s why this year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to quit this October by exploring the free support available. There’s a wide range of free quitting tools available, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, the Personal Quit Plan, expert support from local stop smoking services and a Smokefree Facebook support group. There’s also lots of information about aids such as nicotine-free medicines, nicotine replacement therapies and vaping, available at nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking. Together, we can. do this.
💗Be breast aware this October
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and regular checks. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, but with early diagnosis, treatment is often very successful.
Everyone — not just women — should be familiar with what’s normal for their breasts or chest tissue. Check regularly and look out for:
- A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area
- Changes in the size, shape, or feel of the breast
- Skin changes such as dimpling, puckering, redness, or rash
- Nipple changes, including discharge, inversion, or discomfort
- Persistent pain in one part of the breast or armpit
Most changes aren’t cancer, but it’s important to get checked by your GP as soon as possible if you notice anything unusual. You won’t be wasting anyone’s time — early assessment can make all the difference.
For more information and support about breast cancer please visit Cancer Research UK.
🌟 Don’t miss the Brighter Living Fair this October
This October, Wandsworth is hosting the Brighter Living Fair — a month-long series of free events and activities designed to help older residents stay fit, healthy, socially connected and independent. From yoga, keep-fit, aqua workouts and gentle exercise classes, to art workshops, line dancing and fall-prevention sessions, there’s something for all abilities. Many activities are drop-in, though some may require booking — see the full programme via Wandsworth Council’s website.
🧒🏽 Child nasal flu vaccine available here this half term
During the October half term break we are offering child nasal flu vaccines for children who were aged 2 or 3 on 1st September 2025. More information about the nasal flu vaccines can be found here.
☕ Find a welcome warm space this autumn
As temperatures drop, many communities are opening Warm Spaces — free, welcoming places where anyone can spend time in comfort. These venues, often located in libraries, churches, community centres, or cafés, provide a warm environment and a friendly atmosphere for all.
Each Warm Space is slightly different, but you can usually expect heating, seating, hot drinks, Wi-Fi, and friendly volunteers ready for a chat. Some also offer activities, books, or local advice sessions, helping people feel connected as well as warm.
You don’t need to book or explain why you’re there — everyone is welcome. Whether you’d like to meet others, read quietly, or simply take a break from the cold, Warm Spaces offer a safe, respectful environment.
- To find a Warm Space near you, visit warmwelcome.uk and search by your area.
- Ask at your GP surgery, library, or community hub for recommendations
ℹ️ Please respond to health messages
We’re encouraging all patients to respond promptly to any health-related messages sent by text or email. These messages may include important information about your care, test results, medication reviews, or invitations to book appointments or vaccinations. Recently, we’ve noticed a high number of patients not replying, which can delay care and follow-up.
Please check your messages regularly and let us know if your contact details have changed, so we can keep in touch easily. A quick reply helps us manage your care more efficiently and ensures you don’t miss out on important updates.
📅 Missed appointments
In September, 36 hours of clinic time were lost due to missed appointments — that’s around 140 slots that could have been used for other patients waiting to be seen. If you can’t make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer it to someone else and help keep waiting times down for everyone. To cancel appointments:
- Use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App).
- Reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message.
If you regularly miss booked appointments, you may be asked to find an alternative GP practice and removed from our practice list.
👩🏽⚕️ Meet our Physiotherapist: Simran Kaur
Simran has been part of the Tudor Lodge Surgery team for the past three years and works at the practice every Friday as a First Contact Practitioner (Physiotherapist).
In this role as a Consultant Physiotherapist, she specialises in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, helping patients with conditions affecting the joints, muscles, and nerves. Patients can book appointments directly for issues such as joint pain, back or neck pain (including nerve pain), sports injuries, or ligament problems. Physiotherapy often provides effective management for these conditions without the need to see a GP first.
Outside of work, Simran is passionate about hiking and trekking, and with a background in sports, understands how pain and injury can affect daily life. Simran also enjoys volunteering at marathons, supporting runners and the wider community.
“Tudor Lodge feels like a family away from home, and I am grateful to the team for creating such a supportive, friendly environment. Being part of the Tudor Lodge team is a meaningful role, and I look forward to continuing to help patients stay active, healthy, and pain-free.”
🫱🏼🫲🏼 Are you an unpaid carer?
If you care for a family member, friend or neighbour who couldn’t manage without your help, please let the practice know. By identifying yourself as an unpaid carer, we can make sure you receive the right health checks, vaccinations and support to help you stay well — both for yourself and the person you care for.
Caring for someone can be rewarding but also demanding, so it’s important you get the help and advice you’re entitled to. Please speak to a member of our reception team or let us know at your next appointment.
🍂 Looking after your health this autumn
As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, autumn is a good time to check in on your health and make sure you’re ready for the colder months ahead. Flu and COVID-19 cases tend to rise at this time of year, so if you’re eligible, make sure you book your flu jab and COVID booster as soon as possible. You can book these via the NHS App or find more details here. These vaccines are the best way to protect yourself — and those around you — from serious illness this winter.
It’s also a great time to review your prescriptions and ensure you have enough medication, especially if bad weather might make getting to the pharmacy harder. Keep an eye on your vitamin D intake, as we get less sunlight during the autumn and winter months, and try to stay active even when it’s chilly — brisk walks, indoor exercise, or community classes all help boost mood and immunity. And don’t forget to check in on neighbours or relatives who may need extra support during the colder months.
📲 Stay connected with the NHS App
We encourage all our patients to download and use the NHS App — the easiest way to manage your healthcare online.
Through the app, you can:
- View test results and medical records
- Book, cancel or manage appointments
- Order repeat prescriptions
- Access trusted NHS health information
Make sure you have notifications switched on, so you’ll be alerted when new results, messages or updates are available. The NHS App is free to download on Apple and Android devices — simply search “NHS App” in your app store and follow the setup instructions.
It’s a quick, secure, and convenient way to stay on top of your health.
💻 Update: online triage hours
Our online triage inbox is now open slightly later to make it easier for patients to contact us. Any requests received before 3pm will now be reviewed and actioned on the same day.
This change gives you more time to submit your queries or appointment requests online while helping us manage and respond to patients more efficiently. Thank you for using our online services and helping us improve access to care.
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