We’re responding to the COVID-19 outbreak to keep our patients safe – by offering telephone appointments. This has meant 7,602 patients have not had to come to hospital, while still getting the care they need.

From Monday 23 March 2020 until further notice, blood testing at King George and Queen’s Hospital is by appointment only.

Tony Chambers, interim Chief Executive, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 

“We can confirm that four elderly patients, who tested positive for COVID-19 have sadly died at Queen’s Hospital.  The patients had been very unwell with significant other health conditions. 

We're changing face-to-face appointments to telephone consultations where possible to keep our patients and staff safe.

We know our temporary visitor restrictions can be difficult for our patients, who may be feeling lonely and missing having their loved ones around.

Members of the public who wish to attend our Board meeting on Wednesday (18 March) will need to attend virtually, by dialling in so they can listen to proceedings.

Statement from our interim Chief Executive, Tony Chambers - Sunday 15 March

This week we spoke to Karen Hughes, lead nurse for heart failure services at our Trust. Karen retires this month after over 45 years at our Trust, the majority of those in the area she’s most passionate about, caring for patients with heart failure.

Age: 63

Lives: In Romford with husband Peter, 64.

And: Karen loves the NHS and it shows – most of her family work at our Trust too, including her two daughters, Laura and Kelly, as does Kelly’s partner Freddy (who has already been an In Conversation With subject), and Laura’s husband George!

Our Trust Board will be moving to hold bi-monthly meetings in the new financial year.