I often talk about the pressures we face in our hospitals, and it can be easier to get more of a sense of the reality when we see the numbers in front of our eyes.

In the graphic below, I’ve shared some of the data I get asked for regularly and I will continue to share this each week.

London Ambulance strike

London Ambulance Service staff are striking from midday to midnight on Wednesday 21 December and we’re working closely with other NHS trusts and local authorities across north east London (NEL) to manage the impact.

The strike is likely to increase pressure on our already busy hospitals, particularly in our Emergency Departments (EDs), so patients who do not need emergency care will have extremely long waits.

Advice for people who need care during the strike will be available on our website, and NHS 111 can offer advice on where best to get treatment.

New MRI at King George Hospital (KGH)

I was delighted to see our new 3T MRI machine at KGH which will reduce scanning time, on average, by 35 per cent, which is great news for patients.

MRIs are crucial in helping us find potential illnesses but are not always a pleasant experience. These scans will be faster and the 3T has a wider bore, so it’s more comfortable for our patients which I hope will relax them more.

It’s the latest upgrade to our MRI suite. We’ve replaced three machines in the last year, two at KGH and one at Barking Community Hospital (BCH) all of which are at least 30 per cent quicker and will help us cut our waiting times.

West Ham United visit Queen’s Hospital (QH)

Earlier this week, children staying with us at QH were treated to an early Christmas present when they received a surprise visit from West Ham United players.

First-team stars Vladimír Coufal and Flynn Downes and Academy player Jacob Knightbridge helped raise the spirits of the children, as they spent the afternoon chatting, handing out gifts and having pictures taken with families and staff.

It’s a difficult time of year to be in hospital, especially for children, and I’d like to thank West Ham for their continued support throughout 2022. The club is a huge part of our community, and we value the close relationship we have.

Best wishes,

Matthew Trainer

Chief Executive