2014

December 2014

24th

• Council of Governors and the local community bring the festive spirit to elderly patients this Christmas

  The generosity of the Council of Governors, local businesses and local people meant that Christmas gifts were provided to all elderly patients staying in hospital on Christmas Day.

23rd

• Christmas comes early for patients on children’s ward

  Five players from Brentford Football Club, including captain Tony Craig made a special visit to the Sunlight and Starlight children’s wards at West Middlesex University Hospital on Tuesday 23 December.

22nd

• Chelsea and Westminster partnering Imperial College Health Partners Genomic Medical Centre to join fight against cancer and rare diseases

  NHS England has today announced that Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has been designated a Genomic Medical Centre (GMC) in partnership with Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

19th

• Friends bring Christmas Cheer for staff

  The annual Friends Christmas Cheer Awards ceremony, which recognises members of staff and teams who have a happy, positive approach to their work and encompass our values every day, took place on Thursday 18 December.

16th

• West Middlesex doctor recognised for ‘outstanding leadership’ in National Leadership Programme

  Dr Suzanne Wakely, Consultant Radiologist at West Middlesex University Hospital, has been awarded a prize for the outstanding leadership she has demonstrated throughout her year-long project, ‘Leading Transformational Culture Change Programme’.

12th

• X-Factor star raises the roof at Chelsea and Westminster

  This year’s annual Christmas at Chelsea and Westminster event, which took place on 11 December, was our most successful yet.

11th

• Hospital staff commended for patient care

  Staff from West Middlesex University Hospital have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to patient care at their annual staff excellence and achievement awards ceremony.

10th

• 2014 X-factor finalist Lola Saunders singing at Chelsea and Westminster Christmas event

  Lola Saunders, who was a finalist in this year’s X-Factor, is coming to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to sing at our Christmas event tomorrow—Thursday 11 December.

9th

• Chelsea FC spread Christmas Cheer

  Players from Chelsea Football Club took time out their schedule to bring some Christmas cheer to our young patients on Monday 8 December.

• Join us for Christmas at Chelsea and Westminster!

  Join us on Thursday 11 December for Christmas at Chelsea and Westminster! The event will take place from 4–6pm with Chelsea Pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea switching on our Christmas tree lights at the start.

5th

• Diarrhoea and vomiting—help us protect our patients and staff

  It is that time of year when there is an increase in incidences of viral diarrhoea and vomiting both in the community and in the hospital.

2nd

• West Middlesex Hospital invites the public to take part in a ‘Strictly’ themed patient and staff experience event

  Following on from their previous event in June, West Middlesex University Hospital is holding a special ‘Strictly…best experience’ event and wants to involve the local community.

November 2014

28th

• Council of Governors election results announced

  The results of the November 2014 elections for patient, public and staff governors have been announced. Voting closed yesterday—Thursday 27 November.

27th

• Health bus providing outreach services for HIV Testing Week

  A mobile ‘health bus’ is providing HIV testing services to identify those with the condition as early as possible.

• Cycle security and safety event

  The Metropolitan Police teamed up with Transport for London and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea BKC Road Safety and Trust Travel Plan team for a cycle security and safety event today between 12 noon and 2:30pm outside the front of the hospital.

25th

• West Middlesex supports National HIV Testing Week

  The Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Corinna Smart has visited West Middlesex University Hospital’s Sexual Health Unit during National HIV Testing Week to see first-hand how easy it is for people to get tested for the infection.

20th

• Industrial strike action Monday 24 November

  On Monday 24 November some staff, including midwives, radiographers and staff in theatres, may plan to take part in a national strike from 7am-12pm.

6th

• Notice of poll

  It is hereby declared that elections are to be held in the following constituencies...

October 2014

31st

• Staff survey 2014

  All staff working at Chelsea and Westminster have a view on what it’s like to work here, and staff are invited to share their experience confidentially through the national NHS Staff Survey.

30th

• Chelsea and Westminster staff recognised nationally and internationally

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is celebrating some key national and international awards announced this month.

28th

• Areas ‘Require Improvement’ but outstanding practice recognised, says Care Quality Commission

  The Care Quality Commission, in their first announced inspection of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital under their new monitoring regime, has given the Trust an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’.

21st

• List of nominated candidates published

  The list of candidates who have nominated themselves to stand for election to the Council of Governors in November’s elections has now been published.

16th

• Calling all members—your hospital needs you!

  If you are a Foundation Trust member, you can have your say on the future of your hospital by nominating yourself as a Governor with elections taking place next month.

13th

• Information about industrial action

  A spokesperson for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “We would like to reassure patients and members of the public that we continue to provide a full range of hospital services today.

8th

• New project aims to tackle the taboo of mental health

  A new project at West Middlesex University Hospital aims to improve awareness and access to support for women experiencing mental health issues during pregnancy and soon after birth.

3rd

• Notice of Election

  If you are a Foundation Trust member, you can have your say on the future of your hospital when elections to the Council of Governors are held in November.

2nd

• Nominate your healthcare hero for an award

  Is there a member of staff or team at West Middlesex University Hospital who you feel has made a positive difference to patient care and deserves to be recognised with an award?

September 2014

30th

• Service of Remembrance for Babies and Young Children at West Middlesex Hospital

  The Maternity Service annual Service of Remembrance for the families and friends of babies and young children who have died during pregnancy, soon after birth, or when very young, will take place at 3.00pm on Sunday, 12th October 2014.

26th

• ‘Preventing pressure ulcers’ seminar highly rated

  On Thursday 25 September Tissue Viability Nurse Sarah Masterson presented a seminar to members about preventing pressure ulcers.

24th

• Two HSJ Value in Healthcare Awards for Chelsea and Westminster Teams

  It was two out of two for Chelsea and Westminster at the HSJ Value in Healthcare awards which took place last night (Tuesday 23 September).

15th

• Ministerial visit—looking at research on the frontline

  On Friday 5 September the Minister for Life Science, George Freeman MP, visited the Trust to speak with staff involved in research at the hospital.

• Hospital welcomes community to its open day

  West Middlesex University Hospital’s second annual open day took place on Saturday 13 September, and once again proved hugely popular with the local community.

4th

• Annual Members’ Meeting 2014

  Join us to hear presentations from the Chairman, Chief Executive and Council of Governors, as well talks about accountable care—helping patients stay out of hospital for longer.

1st

• What is the real cost of missing your appointment?

  Each month 300 patients do not attend (DNA) their appointment. The average cost of an outpatient attendance is approximately £100. Over the course of a year this totals more than £350,000—money which could be re-invested into patient services.

• Support for patients following critical illness

  The intensive care unit has been running patient focus groups for nearly ten years. Listening to patients’ experiences of critical care enables us to make changes to our service and develop specific information for patients and their families, particularly when they are discharged from the unit.

• Helping patients to get a good night’s sleep

  Being in hospital is a very anxious time for patients and their loved ones, and we know that getting a good night’s sleep is important for recovery.

• Record number of HIV tests in Westminster at ‘Halfway to World AIDS day’ event

  A record number of legislators took HIV tests in the House of Commons Tuesday 8 July at a ‘Halfway to World AIDS day’ event hosted by the John Hunter Clinic, the Halve It coalition and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS.

• Bright Ideas campaign

  Chelsea and Westminster has launched a ‘Bright Ideas’ campaign to canvass staff and patient feedback on where we can improve efficiency and add value for money.

August 2014

28th

• Governor makes donation to Hospital Arts

  Sandra Smith-Gordon has donated a piece of her own artwork to the Hospital Arts programme to support the Trust’s focus on providing its patients with a calming hospital experience.

July 2014

31st

• RideLondon—Sunday 10 August

  On the 9 and 10 August, Prudential RideLondon, a world-class festival of cycling, is taking place in London.

30th

• Beware scam job adverts

  It has come to our attention that an individual or group of individuals have been impersonating Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on various recruitment websites mainly in South Africa and on social media.

16th

• Keep cool during the hot weather

  The UK is currently experiencing a particularly hot spell of weather and has moved to Heat-Health Alert level 2 (60% probability of heatwave conditions between 8am on Friday and 8am on Sunday in parts of England).

14th

• Culture Minister Ed Vaizey hosts launch of charity appeal

  Culture Minister Ed Vaizey hosts launch of charity appeal to transform the experience of A&E for 140,000 patients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

3rd

• Tour de France travel information - Monday 7 July

  The UK leg of the Tour de France begins on Saturday 5 July and travels through the London area on Monday 7 July. The route does not go near Chelsea and Westminster Hospital but may impact travelling to the Trust.

1st

• Invitation to our Annual Public Meeting

  West Middlesex University Hospital says: “We would really like you to come along to our annual public meeting, on Tuesday 15 July 2014.”

June 2014

27th

• Invitation to help improve health in London

  On Monday 7 July West Middlesex University Hospital will be hosting an Imagine a Healthy London roadshow.

17th

• Absolutely fabulous Open Day 2014

  This year's Open Day on Saturday 14 June had a very special guest, Joanna Lumley, who helped bring in crowds of more than 2,000 people on the day.

• Chief Inspector of Hospitals asks people to tell him about the care provided by Chelsea and Westminster

  England's new Chief Inspector of Hospitals is inviting members of the public to tell his inspection panel what they think of the services provided by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

12th

• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital welcomes Joanna Lumley to Open Day 2014

  This year’s Open Day, from 11am-3pm on Saturday 14 June, promises to be the biggest ever and will be launched by Joanna Lumley.

11th

• West Middlesex speaks out for Diabetes Week

  During Diabetes Week (8 -14 June) West Middlesex University Hospital is speaking out to raise awareness of the condition which affects 1 in 5 of the hospital’s inpatients.

6th

• Interactive arts and music audio tour to improve hospital patients’ treatment and rehabilitation

  Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity has launched a mobile phone app as part of its new arts in health project, Rhapsody, which brings together music and visual arts into an interactive audio tour for the benefit of hospital patients.

May 2014

28th

• Top marks for ‘Keeping you well’ seminar

  Foundation Trust members were invited to attend the Medicine for Members seminar on Thursday 22 May which focused on Keeping you well with presentations addressing key parts of the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

16th

• Star awards winners revealed... and a ‘chelfie’

  The Star Awards, now in their third year, recognise those staff who embody our Trust values of Respectful, Kind, Safe and Excellent.

• Dementia: Early diagnosis is vital in an ageing population

  Dementia Awareness Week takes place between 18 and 24 May. West Middlesex University Hospital will be raising awareness about the condition which affects around 800,000 people in the UK.

15th

• Chelsea and Westminster named as one of the CHKS 40Top Hospitals 2014

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the CHKS 40Top Hospitals for 2014, an accolade awarded to the 40 top performing CHKS client trusts.

13th

• West Middlesex celebrates Nurses’ Day

  To mark International Nurses’ Day on 12 May, West Middlesex University Hospital held an event to celebrate the work of its nurses and the vital role they have in caring for patients.

9th

• Stroke Coffee Morning provides valuable community feedback

  West Middlesex University Hospital held its annual stroke coffee morning on Thursday 8 May in support of National Stroke Awareness Month.

7th

• Hospital celebrates Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week 2014

  West Middlesex will be holding a health equalities road show, staff workshops and have a special menu in the hospital restaurant as part of NHS Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week.

2nd

• Leading artists and designers join forces with charity to transform the A&E experience for thousands of patients every year

  Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity is bringing together leading artists and designers to support Chelsea and Westminster Hospital create the country’s leading A&E department.

• New children’s outpatient department opening

  We are delighted to confirm that the new Children's Outpatients Department is opening on Tuesday 6 May.

April 2014

28th

• Keeping you well Medicine for Members seminar

  Foundation Trust members are invited to book their place for Medicine for Members event Keeping you well which takes place on Thursday 22 May, 5:30–6:30pm in the Postgraduate Lecture Theatre, Lower Ground Floor at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

25th

• Chelsea and Westminster top performing A&E for the second year running

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is the top performing Trust in England for the national A&E 4 hour waiting time target for the second year in a row.

22nd

• Never too young to look out for symptoms

  A consultant at West Middlesex University Hospital is advising people that they are never too young to go to their GP if they have symptoms linked to bowel cancer.

15th

• West Middlesex staff test their stamina

  On Sunday 13 April, Richard Ingrey, service manager for medicine at West Middlesex University Hospital, ran the London Marathon in support of Diabetes UK for a second year in a row.

8th

• Chelsea and Westminster shortlisted for two top hospitals awards

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has been shortlisted for two CHKS Top Hospitals awards—Patient Safety and Quality of Care.

7th

• Sexual Health Hounslow launches new user-friendly website

  West Middlesex University Hospital has launched a new sexual health website in an effort to make it more user-friendly. The new website has been re-designed to make it easier for visitors to quickly find what they are looking for as well mobile-friendly so that contact details are accessible on portable devises.

4th

• Cadets of Chelsea and Westminster blog launched

  The Cadets of Chelsea and Westminster are students aged 16–18 who are involved with Trust activities such as Open Day, visiting patients on wards, offering a cup of tea or a newspaper, and presenting at our Annual Members Meeting.

March 2014

25th

• State-of-the-art Birth Centre sees 100th baby born

  The Trust’s state-of-the-art Birth Centre has seen its 100th baby born. Baby Cochrane was born on 23 March to proud dad and mum Thomas and Emma.

20th

• Just what the doctor ordered

  West Middlesex University Hospital supported Nutrition and Hydration Week 2014 (17 – 23 March) with a variety of activities for staff, patients and visitors to learn about good nutrition and hydration.

19th

• Be TB aware

  Anyone can be infected with tuberculosis (TB) and the sooner it’s treated the better your chances are of making a full recovery.

18th

• The opening of Chelsea Children’s Hospital

  Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on Tuesday 18 March to open Chelsea Children’s Hospital.

17th

• Hospital’s flu fighter campaign proves a huge success

  Following a sustained campaign throughout the autumn and winter, three quarters (75%) of front line staff at West Middlesex University Hospital have now had the flu jab; protecting themselves, their colleagues, and most importantly their patients from the spread of flu.

14th

• Best risk banding for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital says Care Quality Commission

  The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England, has given Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust the best risk banding possible in their latest Intelligent Monitoring Report.

4th

• Prepare for battle against cigarettes

  Wednesday 12 March is No Smoking Day - many people choose this day to break their nicotine addiction and West Middlesex University Hospital's stop smoking service will be here to help.

3rd

• Positive feedback on Emergency Department Redevelopment seminar

  On Thursday 27 February members of the Emergency Department (ED) team and Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity gave a Medicine for Medicine presentation outlining our plans for the £10m redevelopment of our ED.

February 2014

25th

• Staff engagement at Chelsea and Westminster at an all-time high, says staff survey

  Performance improves in 2013, above the national average score, in the NHS Staff Survey. This year’s Staff Survey results list Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in the best 20% of Trusts for...

• Put on your armour against prostate cancer

  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, often giving no warning signs or symptoms. The best defense against prostate cancer is to be aware of what the possible symptoms are.

20th

• Chance to find out about our £10m ED Redevelopment

  Dr Patrick Roberts (Clinical Lead for A&E) and Hilary Donnellan (Deputy Clinical Nurse Manager and ED Redevelopment Lead) will be talking about the exciting £10m re-development of our Emergency Department which will start this summer.

14th

• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital visiting restrictions

  We recognise that visitors are important to our patients’ wellbeing, but at this time the risk of visitors spreading norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting/D&V), colds and flu is so high that we need to restrict visiting to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

13th

• Pioneering palliative care guidance published by Chelsea and Westminster Neonatal Team

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has published the first ever guidance of its kind to support staff caring for very young babies with life limiting conditions who need palliative or end of life care.

7th

• Public meeting with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  Residents and community groups will have an opportunity to question the senior management of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust at a public meeting on Monday 24 February at 6.30pm in Kensington Town Hall.

• Recognising 900 years of service at West Middlesex

  The commitment of staff who have clocked up over 900 years of service between them was celebrated at West Middlesex University Hospital on Wednesday 5 February.

6th

• First baby born in new state-of-the-art birth centre at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

  On Wednesday 5 February Chelsea and Westminster Hospital opened a new, bespoke, midwife-led birth centre and witnessed its first delivery when a baby boy was born at 1:59pm.

5th

• New drug treatment reduces chronic pain following shingles

  A new drug treatment has been found to be effective against chronic pain caused by nerve damage, also known as neuropathic pain, in patients who have had shingles.

• Tinnitus – the invisible condition

  Tinnitus Awareness Week 2014 runs from 2 to 9 February, and is a reminder that we can take simple steps to avoid long-term damage to our hearing.

January 2014

30th

• Nominations now open for Star Awards!

  Nominations are open for outstanding individuals and teams who make the greatest difference to our patients and hospital for this year’s Chelsea and Westminster Star Awards.

• TfL Underground strike 4–6 February—all tube lines affected

  Please be aware that Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that a strike by London Underground staff is expected to go-ahead from 9pm on Tuesday 4 February, ending at 9:30pm on Thursday 6 February.

29th

• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital wins highly commended award for improved weekend readmission rates

  Dr Foster Intelligence, the leading provider of healthcare information and benchmarking solutions in England, has announced in this year’s Good Hospital Guide that Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has one of the most improved weekend readmission rates in the country.

24th

• Russell Grant predicts a positive future for dementia care at West Middlesex University Hospital

  Middlesex-born television celebrity Russell Grant took time out from his busy schedule to visit a newly refurbished dementia-friendly ward at West Middlesex University Hospital this week.

21st

• Protect yourself from cervical cancer

  The start of a new year is a good time to take a fresh look at your health and wellbeing, and if you are a woman it’s also an opportunity to make sure that you are doing enough to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

16th

• Kilimanjaro challenge for Heather Lawrence

  Heather Lawrence OBE, the former Chief Executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, is about to take on a new challenge—to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, in order to raise funds for Facing the World.

10th

• Starlight brings festive cheer to Chelsea Children’s Hospital with an Interactive performance of Sleeping Beauty

  A visit to the Chelsea Children’s Hospital from Starlight’s Christmas pantomime brought a dose of festive fun and laughter to young patients on the 9 January.

6th

• West Middlesex innovative project shortlisted for awards

  West Middlesex University Hospital was last year shortlisted for various awards, including numerous nominations for the Online Point of Care Testing project (POCT) which helps reduce patient waiting times by giving faster and improved quality test results.