History of Sunray Surgery
When the previous single handed General Practitioner Dr Freedman, serving 1,800 of Sunray Estate residents retired in 1980 he was not replaced. All patients were dispersed to the three nearby practices, all of which were located outside the Estate. Sunray Estate has always been cut off from the rest of Tolworth on all four sides, making it virtually an island. For young mothers and old people living in the Estate travelling to a Surgery off the Estate caused problems. Despite several protests asking for an Estate based doctor nothing was done. Being convinced that there was a genuine need for an Estate based doctor, Dr Mohan started Sunray Surgery in January 1982 as single handed (GMS) General Practitioner, with no existing list of patients.
Please read the news reports published in the local papers at that time:
The original Surgery was started in a small three bedroom house with a side extension. The list of patients grew so rapidly that a need for increased accommodation was acutely felt. A larger house nearby, with potential for further expansion, was located. Following erection of a side extension to this house the Practice re-located to this premises at 97 Warren Drive South, KT5 9QD, in October 1988.
As the practice list size kept increasing, with the consequent increase in the services that needed to be provided, the practice changed from GMS to PMS status in October 2004. This re classification enabled more doctors and nurses to be used.
As the Practice became increasingly established it started to attract patients living marginally outside the Estate. In particular Tamil speaking patients whose ability to communicate in English was very limited started to join the Practice with the knowledge that they could communicate freely with Dr Mohan who speaks Tamil. This group of patients increased so rapidly that they now represent about 50% of the total Practice population. Responding to the issues this generated the Practice now has doctors, nurses and receptionist who are able communicate fluently in Tamil as well as in English.
The premises became inadequate again and was further extended and modernised extensively in 2012. During this extensive renovation every effort was made to comply with industry standard as well as CQC requirements. No NHS funding was available to carry out this project of about £250,000. Behind the scene , her husband Mr Mohan who is an engineer has been playing a key role in every development of Sunray Surgery.
Now our building stands out in the Estate as a modern building, blending very well with the totally residential neighbourhood.
Though relatively small Sunray Surgery is unique in Kingston. It was started with no existing list of patients or premises and therefore right from the onset was able to set and maintain to provide a high standard of health care in a modern environment by a dedicated and totally committed Practice Team to patients from the Sunray Estate and now peripheral areas.