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PPG Newsletter: May 2026
Practice News
Lots has happened in the last few months at Grosvenor and St James Surgery.
Staff news
We have said goodbye to one of our Partners Dr Helen Yates.
Dr Yates has retired in April after 34 years at Grosvenor and St James surgery.
She was much loved and respected member of the team and will be missed by the staff and patients alike.
We wish her a happy retirement.
Dr Umar Malik-Tabassum is now working one extra day on Wednesdays.
We have recruited 4 new Receptionist and they are in the process of being trained on all aspects of multiple and varied duties that are carried out by our Reception team.
We are in the process of recruiting a new Practice Nurse who will become a valuable addition to our busy Nursing Team. One of our Nurse associate Kathleen is undergoing Nurse training, she has various placements outside the surgery at the moment and will return to us in June.
New PCN staff
We have our new PCN Paramedic Ian Pillpott working with Grosvenor patients on Monday afternoons. He has been seeing our patients for the same day appointments helping our GPs and on our busiest day.
There are also two new Adult Mental Health Navigators Sophie and Louise who have been recruited recently. They are promoting their services and would love to support our patients with their mental health concerns either through a GP referral or directly (self referral).
Do you have social, emotional or practical concerns that are affecting your mental health and need support?
Mental health navigators can support you for up to 12 weeks with face to face or telephone appointments.
To self-refer to our service please visit the Tunbridge Wells PCN website or speak to our friendly practice staff/reception teams for support.
To access this service you must over 18 and registered with one of our practices.
Property news
The work is almost complete on rebuilding the front wall at the Grosvenor Surgery which will be lower than the previous one and will have smart metal railings. Once the work is finished we are looking forward to updating the signs for Grosvenor Medical Centre so it will be more visible and welcoming for the existing and new patients alike.
Meet The Member Of The Team!
Chetna Aurora MSK Physiotherapist
Member’s of the PPG Committee have decided to introduce a new feature for our PPG Newsletter; meet the member of the Team! Our Newsletter editor had a chat with Chetna Aurora the MSK Physiotherapist and asked her a few questions. Please see details of this interview below
“Chetna will see you now!” PPG meets Chetna Arora - Physiotherapist
Chetna Arora is one of the newer members of the team at the Grosvenor St James Medical Practice. She came to the UK in 2022 to take up a place at Sheffield Hallam University to follow a childhood dream.
PPG asked her about her choice of physiotherapy as a career.
“When I was young, I became interested in cricket and wanted to do something close to sport. I was very keen to see how the physios on the field helped players recover from injuries, so when I was in secondary school, I decided to pursue physiotherapy as a career. As I grew older, I considered entering the medical field and was advised that I could potentially study to become a doctor instead, but I kept passion in me and cleared the entry level exam for physiotherapy. I was really happy to be able to carry on with what I had thought I wanted to do as a child”
Having grown up in Pune in western India, a city south east of Mumbai, she made a start there for her initial qualifications.
“I gained my undergraduate qualifications from a reputed college in Pune and enrolled in a master’s degree in Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University to fulfil my dream in sport. “
Graduation in her Master’s degree led her first into private practice then into the NHS in Leighton Buzzard. Chetna was making her way slowly south and after two years in Bedfordshire arrived in Tunbridge Wells where she works across the GP surgeries that make up the Primary Care Network in the town.
“I have always wanted to help the community and support people in functioning independently and working through their pain. It was a little challenging at the beginning, but as I have grown into it, it has become very interesting. I enjoy working at GSJ. My colleagues and my patients have a lot of insightful things to share with me, whether it is about the clinical work or, in general, about things around us”
Daily appointments with a very varied mixture of physical issues makes for a challenging lifestyle. There must be some ‘time out’.
“Yes, I love painting and drawing in my spare time. I go for walks, and as I am new to Tunbridge Wells, I am exploring the beautiful parks here. I also go to the gym a few days a week. On other days, I enjoy visiting family and friends at weekends”
Naturally PPG was keen to gain any last thoughts and advice Chetna might have for a mobile, self-supporting lifestyle.
“The best thing I have read and studied over the past few years is ‘movement is your best friend’. The more you move or stay active, the less stiff or uncomfortable you feel. I usually tell my patients that they can help themselves far more than anyone else by addressing the pain or problem and working on the cause, which sometimes needs guidance from a medical professional. They are able to see improvement over time. On a lighter note, I usually tell my patients that I hope they don’t have to see me again, in the best possible way!”
Urgent Treatment Centres
Surgeries and hospitals are often very busy and there are times when waiting for an appointment could be stressful. There are a number of Urgent Treatment Centres and a local Minor Injuries Unit at Crowborough that are designed to help with capacity and provide a valuable service.
Crowborough Minor Injuries Unit, War Memorial Hospital, Southview Road, Crowborough
This centre provides a walk-in service for minor injuries which are not life threatening. The very accessible website explains precisely what is offered in terms of what can and what can’t be treated. The range of conditions treated covers fractures, head injuries, stings, rib injuries and much else. What is not covered is: chronic conditions or post-operative issues and other more extreme conditions. . If necessary onward referral can be made to A & E, specialists or your GP.
The Unit is open from 8am to 8pm daily with x-rays available Monday to Friday.
For those not online telephone 01892 337 241.
All information in detail can be found on the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust website or simply by Googling Crowborough Minor Injuries Unit which will lead you there directly. These sites will also show a Google map for more detail.
Urgent Treatment Centres in the area are located
- Within Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury and is available 24/7 Tunbridge Wells Hospital UTC: Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tonbridge Road, Pembury, TN2 4QJ
- Sevenoaks Hospital UTC (8am to 8pm): Hospital Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3PG.
These centres treat minor injuries and illnesses, including sprains, wounds, infections, rashes, and minor fractures
Social and Emotional Support
Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church opposite the surgery in Upper Grosvenor Road offers a Knit and Stich group that meets on the 1st Saturday of each month from 10am until 12.30pm. Make new friends while learning a new skill, or bring your talents to share with others. All abilities welcome! Knit and Stitch is open to ladies of all generations, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact Elaine: office@twbc.org.uk or phone 07941 038 344
Tunbridge Wells Baptist Church also has a Cameo group which is a social for over 60s. They meet alternative weeks on Wednesdays at the Warner hall 10.30am to 1.30pm
There is a new Age UK Memory Cafe at the Tunbridge Wells Masonic Centre (St Johns Road, TN2 9UY) that provides a welcoming space for those living with dementia and their carers. The cafe runs on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, featuring tea, cake, and, activities.
Age UK website lists a range of activities that you can get involved in in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding area. Please check out their timetable to see what’s on
Thrive is a Community Café which is situated in Christ Church in Tunbridge Wells High Street. Every Thursday between 10am and 12pm it welcomes those looking for “a friendly face in a warm space”. Hot drinks and delicious cake are offered free.
Contact by phone on 01892 522 323 or via the Christ Church Tunbridge Wells website
To maintain physical as well as mental wellbeing Tunbridge Wells Ramblers have an extensive programme of wellbeing walks around the town and beyond. Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons are two meeting places as well as Calverley Grounds and Dunorlan Park. Their very helpful information flyer gives clear details of meeting places, the time walks are planned to last and the terrain to be covered.
Telephone 01892554411 or email walks@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Supporting The Wider Community
Parents of children with special needs or disabilities need specialist support in, what can be, very demanding circumstances. There are a number of organisations offering this support as well as groups without a speciality which may be of help.
The Special Educational Needs Support Group (SENS) in Southborough offers parents a discrete forum in which to exchange information relating to their children and the management of potentially stressful conditions. The group has gained considerable experience since it started in 2018 and now has over 2,000 members. It has a Facebook page with more details and a request form for membership, which is essential before any contribution, request or information can be shared.
Space 2 Be Me has an extensive web site detailing its support for young disabled people between birth and the age of 25 and their families. While it is based in Maidstone it offers workshops in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. In fact, it has booked a table at the Kitchen Table in Camden Road for four Thursdays in April, May, June and July. Sessions last from 10am to 11.30am. All details are available on their website. Making a difference to the lives of disabled children and their families from the Maidstone base on 01622 764566
The High Brooms Partnership has a number of activities ranging from toddlers Stay & Play to adults’ Box Fitness sessions via Youth sports and Sew & Chat! Details of sessions can be found on either the Sport on Your Doorstep website or facebook. These activities have no special focus in terms of ability or age and are open to all and take place in the TocH Hall, Woodlands Road, High Brooms.
At St James’ Church, in St James’ Road young parents can meet with their pre-school children for the sessions of the ABC club on Thursday mornings or can take their school age children to the Refresh club on Wednesdays after school for drinks and board games.
All details will be found on the church website stjamestw.co.uk or by calling 01892 521703
The West Kent Autism Parents Support Group is similar to SENS (see above) where access to information and fellow support is only available through membership. It is a relatively young group, with over 300 members, and can be found on their website
Defibrillators
The defibrillators now available throughout the town are all listed on the website defibfinder.uk Just enter a postcode or the name of the town and you will find a list and a very helpful map with each machine located.
Currently there are no courses listed locally in CPR or the use of defibrillators.
NHS App
By 2028 it is the intention of the NHS that the NHS app should be the “full digital front door” to NHS services.
This could sound rather intimidating to many patients not familiar with computer technology or not having easy access to appropriate devices. Ironically, as the NHS website points out, some of the groups most in need of easy access to the app either don’t have the devices or are very unsure in using them
The NHS website recognises this and has attempted to make instructions for access as straightforward as possible. It is working through charities and community groups to generate information about the app with advice on how to navigate the technology.
Installation to an iPhone, iPad or tablet is explained with clear, easily available directions i.e. in straightforward language and in a good sized font! This is obviously aimed at those with the required devices who are reasonably confident with IT and its particular language. (I only learned recently that ‘app’ stands for ‘application’!)
If you already have an NHS account (you will have registered with the usual details plus a password) you can access all the app services directly through the NHS website.
Use the NHS website for all details.
Reception staff at the surgery are always ready to advise in setting up an account or accessing the app.
The Patient Participation Group
PPG meets every quarter to discuss the Grosvenor St James Practice and receive updates from the professionals. It also identifies areas where it can support the surgery in practical terms.
The Newsletter aims to keep patients up to date with Surgery news and local developments which can offer help in a variety of ways to maintain or develop physical and mental wellbeing.
If there are agencies or organisations which you feel people should know about you can contact PPG through the Surgery or leaving a written note at Surgery reception.
Published: May 20, 2026