Stakeholder update from Chief Executive Tony Chambers: 10 June 2021
I hope this finds you well.
With this fantastic weather we are currently enjoying, it feels like summer has arrived!
Using Artificial Intelligence to improve our stroke care
It’s quite incredible the way technology in healthcare is constantly evolving and improving for our patients.
This week we’ve announced the launch of cutting edge ‘e-stroke’ software, Brainomix, which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the way we diagnose and treat people who suffer a stroke.
The software, which can also be used as an app, will allow us to easily share scanned images to support rapid diagnosis, clinical decisions and treatment.
Some of the pioneering clinical techniques I share with you in these updates, like this one and Cytosponge, were distant dreams when I started my career in the NHS. It’s exciting when thinking about further technological improvements that could be developed in the comings years.
Maternity updates
We provide maternity care to around 8,200 women each year, making it one of the largest maternity services in the country.
While the pandemic has meant pregnancy journeys have been different to normal, we’re always looking at ways to improve the maternity experience.
- Lateral flow tests
Keeping everyone safe in our hospitals is a priority, so to help protect pregnant women we’re encouraging them and their partners to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before an appointment.
Not only will this keep people safe, it will also play a key role in allowing us to further relax the visiting restrictions in our Maternity Department.
The safety of women and their babies is paramount and no one will be turned away from their appointment if they are unable to show a test result. But this extra measure will help keep us all safe.
- Continuity of care
We’ve also launched a new team which will provide expecting mothers in Harold Wood and Hornchurch with a continuity of care, which will see our midwives build better relationships and provide familiarity and reassurance.
The team, Hera Midwives, will see women throughout their entire pregnancy journey, including antenatal appointments, the birth and postnatal care.
This is the second team in our Trust focusing on continuity of care and they are part of a pilot following the national maternity review, Better Births, which set a forward plan for improving maternity services.
I look forward to keeping you updated.
Children’s services
As mentioned by Ben in last week’s update, I just wanted to confirm that the temporary overnight closure of the children’s ED at King George Hospital ended on Monday 7 June.
Our Children and Young People’s Assessment Unit (CYPAU) at Queen’s Hospital also opened, as planned, on the same day. The unit will enhance the care we offer children, as we continue to focus on the recovery of our non-elective services.
Thank you to my colleagues and partners involved.
New volunteer programme launched
Volunteers are a really important part of the team at our hospitals and we’re lucky that so many people dedicate their time to help others.
That’s why I’m delighted that our Voluntary Services team has developed a programme to support young people, after a successful scheme ran last summer to help students who missed out on education due to the pandemic.
The new programme will once again focus on students, as well as support vulnerable young people.
Last year’s Student Summer Volunteer programme saw 12 local students working in our hospitals two days a week for six weeks. Shauna Neylon was one of those and she has continued to volunteer with us and has ambitions to become a nurse, which is fantastic! She will be studying Adult Nursing from September and while at university she will be a healthcare assistant with us.
Well done Shauna and also to my colleagues involved in this programme.
Best wishes.
Tony Chambers
Chief Executive