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Item 1Autumn 2026 Newsletter
Autumn 2026
Patient Participation Group (PPG)
Next Meeting 6:30pm Thursday 1 October 2026
The meeting will be held in two parts
- Part 1: The Mouth – its problems and treatments with speaker: Dr Martin Hussain, a Dental Surgeon
- Part 2: Dr Ganesh will be present
All patients are warmly invited to share in this opportunity.
Date of next meeting: 21 January 2027
Please note: These PPG meetings will not provide for discussion of individual patients' medical matters
Our Team
Staff changes
We would like to let our patients know that Dr Tavakkoli will be leaving Forest Hill Road Group Practice at the end of October. Dr Tavakkoli joined the practice during the pandemic and has since been a valued member of our team. She has accepted a position at a practice closer to home.
Although we are sorry to see her leave, we are delighted for her and wish her every success in her new role. Dr Tavakkoli’s final working day will be at the end of October. We are also pleased to welcome Dr Amatotsero, who will be joining the practice at the beginning of November.
Flu vaccination
The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2027)
- are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
- are experiencing homelessness or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Getting vaccinated if you're unwell
If you have a high temperature, wait until you're feeling better before having your flu vaccine.
Flu and other vaccines
You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19, shingles and pneumococcal vaccines. It's not usually given at the same time as the RSV vaccine.
For more information, please see our NHS Health Resources page
Flu vaccination at Southwark would be available for eligible groups from 1 October 2025. The surgery would be sending invitation messages to all eligible patients with the links to book appropriate appointments.
Children's flu vaccine
The children's flu vaccine helps protect against flu.
It's recommended for:
- children aged 2 or 3 years
- children aged 4 years who have not started school yet
- school-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
- children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions
Children who are aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026 (born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2024) can get nasal flu vaccine at the surgery.
The surgery would be sending invitation messages with the links to book appropriate appointments.
For more information visit NHS website
Flu vaccination of school-aged children is provided at schools.
The South London Children and Young People’s Community Immunisation Service (CYPCIS) delivers all school-age immunisations across south London
Other important vaccines
RSV vaccine
The RSV vaccine helps protect against infection with RSV, a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It's offered on the NHS if you're 28 weeks pregnant, aged 75 to 79, aged 65 to 74 and have a weakened immune system or have a long-term lung condition, live in a care home for older adults.
Shingles vaccine
The Shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It's available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system.
Pneumococcal vaccine
The Pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis. It's recommended for people at higher risk of these illnesses, such as babies and adults aged 65 and over.
COVID-19 vaccine
If you're eligible and were invited for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment:
Local Health Authority will arrange home vaccination for housebound patients.
Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month
More than 22,000 women and people with gynaecological organs are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer in the UK each year, (cervical, ovarian, womb, vulval and vaginal), which equates to around 60 diagnoses each day.
Early diagnosis saves lives.
Symptoms:
- Remember that symptoms of gynaecological cancers can be vague, persistent and easily mistaken for other conditions.
- Please seek advice if you experience symptoms that are unusual for them, persistent, or worsening, such as:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, including any bleeding after the menopause
- Persistent bloating, feeling full more quickly or nausea
- A persistent itch, lump or changes to the vulval skin or vagina
- Unexplained lower back, abdominal or pelvic pain.
Learn more about the symptoms on the Target Ovarian Cancer website
"Know what's normal for you. Check your gynae health regularly; it could save your life." - Mandy was diagnosed with vulval cancer in 2012
Do you know how to spot the signs of the five gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal?
Take five minutes to find out; it might save your life
People living with HIV
Change to Cervical Screening Intervals for People Living with HIV
- People living with well-controlled HIV who receive a negative high-risk HPV (hrHPV) result at their next routine cervical screening will be recalled at the same national cervical screening interval as people who are not living with HIV (previously they needed to attend for annual screening).
- A small cohort of individuals living with HIV that is not well controlled, or who have poor adherence to treatment for HIV, may continue to receive annual clinician-taken cervical screening at the request of their managing HIV clinician and with prior agreement from the laboratory.
Healthier Together
Healthier Together, a free NHS website developed by healthcare professionals to help parents, carers, children and young people access trusted health advice and guidance.
Visit the Healthier Together website
Worried your child is ill?
Healthier Together is a new website for parents, providing information from local healthcare professionals about what to do and where to go for help when your child is unwell.
Pregnant or new baby
Healthier Together is a website developed by local healthcare professionals. It is full of information, tips and advice to help you care for you and your baby.
Air quality project for children with asthma
Southwark families of primary or secondary school children with asthma (or asthma symptoms) are invited to take part in an exciting study about air quality and asthma. Each family will get a tailored plan to help manage your child's asthma and improve air quality, insights into the air quality of your home and Southwark schools, a £20 shopping voucher, and a prize draw entry to win a £100 shopping voucher.
Makaton user webinar
- Diary of a Makaton User: Part 4 - Live Q&A with Alex
- Date: Wednesday 21st October 2026
- Time: 12pm to 1:30 pm (extended webinar)
- Location: Online via Zoom
This session is particularly relevant for Makaton users, families and carers, support workers, health and social care professionals, employers, educators and anyone supporting adults who use Makaton. It will also be valuable for those thinking about how communication needs may change as someone gets older, and how we can support greater independence and meaningful choice throughout life.
Alex will share her experiences using speech, Makaton Signs and Symbols, alongside personal stories and practical reflections.
Other local Health providers and self-referrals
Take control of your wellbeing
Visit our self-help pages for local and national services you can self-refer to, as well as links to NHS information and resources.
Published: Oct 1, 2026