Dear colleague,

“The future of what the NHS should look like”

Our Urology team were delighted when Health Secretary and MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting opened their new one-stop shop at the King George Hospital Elective Surgical Hub, describing the service as ‘the future of what the NHS should like’.

We’ve transformed a former maternity theatre into two new rooms to complement existing services and can now offer ultrasound scans and flexible cystoscopies (a procedure to look inside the bladder) next door to each other. It will enable patients with suspected bladder cancer to have a scan, cystoscopy and see a consultant to receive their results all on the same day. 

In my update last week I spoke about the difficult financial challenges we’re facing over the months ahead. The new facilities will help us save £97,000 a year by reducing our reliance on weekend clinics which cost more to run, as well as double the number of procedures we’re able to complete every day, from 20 to 40. Congratulations to all involved. 

Celebrating International Day of the Midwife, 5 May

Our maternity units are among the busiest in the UK and last year, our 364 midwives, who come from 30 different countries, did a fantastic job delivering more than 7,000 babies.

I’d like to thank them for the care, compassion and support they give to mothers, babies and their families every single day. 

And it was Nic Kane, our new Chief Nurse’s first International Day of the Midwife with us; take a look at her message.  

Celebrating VE day

Last but definitely not least, we’ve been celebrating 80 years since Victory in Europe day across our hospitals. Staff have been dressing up and decorating their wards and departments, even playing 40s music in some areas.

Local school children provided artwork, and our patients enjoyed activity packs. And it was incredible to read the stories of the relatives of some of our staff who shared their recollections. It was a fitting way to mark such a historic day.   
   
Best wishes,

Matthew Trainer

Chief Executive