History

In the 1970's Dr Ann Palfrey Set up practice in Thames Ditton. She ran the practice from temporary buildings adjacent to Thames Ditton Library until finding permanent residence in the out-buildings of the Home of Compassion. Over time her practice grew and she was joined by Dr Ridsdale and Dr Jebb. In 1989 Dr David Matthews joined the Home of Compassion surgery (by then Dr Ridsdale had left) and had the novelty of being the only male GP in Thames Ditton!

With continued growth of the list, the practice was fast out-growing the facilities at the Home of Compassion. In 1998 Dr Katie Kenyon arrived as Dr Ann Palfrey reduced her hours prior to her retirement (in 1997). In the mid 1990's the Milk Marketing Board (MMB) site was to become vacant and a prime target for development. If local primary care facilities were to cope with the expected rapid expansion of the local population new larger premises would be required. Fortunately the Council planners and the Health Authority stipulated that part of the MMB site should be for health use. Thanks to the Friends of Thames Ditton Hospital the MMB site was secured. After months of negotiations involving the Friends, Health Authority, Kingston and District Community Health Trust, Private Investors PMP and the surgery Emberbrook Community Centre for Health was born to house community health services and general practice. "Emberbrook" was the name of the local telephone exchange pre B.T.

In 1998 work was started on the buildings and the practice that was Home of Compassion Surgery moved to Emberbrook to be known as Giggs Hill Surgery in December 1998. Since then the practice has grown year on year from 4400 patients to over 7300 this year. This period of steady growth has required more manpower to provide care for the increased list. Dr Fergus Keating started in 2001 when Dr Kenyon reduced her hours to start her family. More recently Dr Michael Crow moved from a Kingston practice to join us at Giggs Hill Surgery.

Giggs Hill Surgery

Some of the parts of the building are shared with the other occupants. You will immediately notice the large main waiting area and multipurpose room on entering the building. The reception desk is shared with the community trust and is manned all the hours the building is open (including lunchtimes). There is plenty of car parking (except at school pick-up time!) and easy access from the library car park. Unfortunately the sub-wait area outside of the consulting rooms gets rather cramped at peak times. The consulting rooms are located along one corridor - including the nurses rooms. The large minor operations theatre is adjacent to the sub-wait also. Dr Jebb displays some of her paintings on the walls.

Emberbrook Facilities

Giggs Hill Surgery occupies half of the ground floor of Emberbrook (see floor plan) and some of the first floor. The remainder of the building is run by Surrey PCT (link to website) and is used by Central Surrey Health (link to website), Esher Green branch surgery, MEDICS Ltd (link to website), Surrey and Borders Partnership Community Mental health team. Various clinics operate from Emberbrook including: Gynaecology, ENT, Ultrasound, Audiology, Podiatry. Support from the Friends of Thames Ditton Hospital has been instrumental in increasing the number of clinics.

Disabled Patients

The building has been designed for disabled access. There is a disabled access point at the reception desk, disabled toilets and a lift to the first floor. A wheelchair is available for those who require it for their visit. We would ask that you let us know if you need help as your disability may not be a visible one. We would also welcome any suggestions you may have in making your visit to the surgery easier. See Disabled Go link