Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Three members of staff from Evelina London recently attended a Royal Garden Party in recognition of their dedication to patients. The annual garden parties, hosted by members of the Royal Family, celebrate and reward public service across the UK.

Sarah Munnelly, Edmund Mensah Boateng and Nanna Christiansen were nominated by senior leadership at Evelina London to attend this year’s festivities.

Gubby Ayida, chief executive of Evelina London said: "Their achievements highlight the extraordinary efforts of teams working across clinical and non-clinical roles to provide outstanding care for children, young people and families every single day. Congratulations to all three colleagues on this well-deserved honour.

"We are so grateful for the generosity of our Patron, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, in offering opportunities like these and giving us the opportunity to celebrate the everyday excellence of our teams."

We are extremely proud of the latest report from the Care Quality Commission into our urgent and emergency services.

The urgent and emergency care services at St Thomas’ Hospital and Guy’s Hospital have maintained their ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ ratings respectively, following an inspection by the CQC in March this year.

The inspection found both sites’ services had made significant progress in the ‘caring’ category, with each of their ratings in this area upgraded from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’.

St Thomas’ Hospital includes an adult's emergency department, Evelina London children's emergency department and an urgent treatment centre. Guy’s Hospital operates an urgent care centre which provides walk-in care for adults and children with minor illnesses and injuries.

Dr Katherine Henderson, Clinical Director of Adult’s Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “The ratings we have achieved are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff, both clinical and non-clinical, working in these services and supporting patients.

“I am particularly pleased that our rating for being caring has been upgraded from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’ at both sites. We know we do not always get everything right, but this is an example of the importance we place on continuous improvement, and ensuring our patients remain at the very centre of everything we do.”

Read more about the report on the Trust's website: https://ow.ly/hP0q50Z712y

Dr Sundeep Kaul has been thanked for his life saving service with a CARE award.

A grateful patient credits Dr Kaul, a Consultant in Intensive Care and Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Lead for the Lung Division at Harefield Hospital with “saving my life”.

Dr Kaul provided exceptional support on the intensive therapy unit during the COVID pandemic and beyond.

The patient said: “At a time when survival itself was far from certain, his exceptional clinical expertise, calm authority and genuine compassion proved lifesaving.

“In subsequent clinic appointments, he remained consistently supportive, always taking the time to listen carefully to my concerns and address them with patience, empathy and clarity.

“He always treats patients as people, not cases. Because of his skill, humanity and unwavering commitment, I am here today, able to live my life fully. The impact of his care extends far beyond medicine and is truly deserving of recognition.”

Thank you for your exceptional support, Dr Kaul and congratulations on your CARE award.

Know a team or someone who deserves recognition? Check out our website to make a CARE award nomination.

Did you know that 1 in 100 adults have a stammer?

Our staff stammering support group is a safe, supportive and inclusive space for all staff who stammer, those who are impacted by someone else’s stammer, and those who want to advocate for their colleagues.

The team recently held pop-ups across our sites to raise awareness of the realities of stammering, including:

• Stammering is not caused by anxiety
• Everyone’s stammer is unique
• People who stammer know exactly what they want to say
• A stammer is a difference in how speech is produced.

If you are a staff member and would like to join the group, please get in touch via [email protected].

From the cath labs of Evelina London Children's Hospital to health clinics in Kenya, Mauritius and beyond, Soodevi stays calm under pressure ✈️🗺️

Soodevi Boolkah is a leader and hands-on clinical expert in our busy children's cath labs, caring for children and young people who need specialist heart tests and procedures.

But her impact doesn't stop here. For over 15 years she has volunteered on medical missions around the world, providing lifesaving heart treatments to children who might otherwise go without.

She said: "Being part of these missions has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my career. Seeing the immediate impact of intervention and knowing it offers patients and families hope where there was previously none, continues to shape my values as a leader and my clinical expertise."

We are inspired by Soodevi for everything she does to go the extra mile for children in the UK and around the world.

Meet Daniela Merlin, who has helped to develop a unique community for men living with advanced prostate cancer.

More than 150 men who are on hormone therapy for the illness, and their partners, have joined the Advanced Prostate Cancer Club.

The club offers support and education through a range of activities including a walking group, art classes, exercise group, online quizzes, Qi Gong relaxation classes, information sessions and day trips – made possible thanks to Guy's Cancer Charity.

Daniela was recently recognised at the Trust’s Nursing and Midwifery Awards for her “dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment” that has transformed patient support and education.

Daniela, a prostate cancer support and education coordinator, said: “I’m extremely lucky to have this role. I love the transformation I see in people when they join the club. The majority of patients come along because it’s a little community of friendship and there’s so much to do so they can pick and choose what suits them.”

Ted Thorne and his wife, Susie, have been members of the group since 2018. Ted said: “It always lifts my spirit when we are together having a coffee, cracking jokes and having a laugh with one another. I always look forward to it. I enjoy walking with the members as well – long may it last.”

Got crutches or metal walking sticks gathering dust at home? Let’s put them to good use! 💙

You can drop them off at one of our walking aid collection points and help support the next patient.

Our bright blue bins are available at several of our sites, making it easy to return crutches and metal walking sticks you no longer need. Once returned, we carefully check them, give them a deep clean, and repair any wear and tear so they’re ready to be used again.

Returning walking aids helps us:

• reduce waste and protect the environment
• make sure patients get the equipment they need more quickly
• save money that can be reinvested into patient care

📍 You can drop off walking aids at:
• Guy’s Hospital
• St Thomas’ Hospital
• Whittington Centre
• Pulross Centre
• Townley Road Clinic
• Harefield Hospital
• Royal Brompton Hospital

If just 2 out of every 5 walking aids were returned, we could save around £40,000 and 30 tonnes of carbon each year!

Can’t get to one of our sites? You can find a recycling point near you using this tool:
https://www.wrap.ngo/take-action/recycle-now/recycling-locator-tool

When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked?

High blood pressure can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes, but it often has no symptoms.

Checking your blood pressure is quick and easy. You can check it at your GP, at some pharmacies, or by visiting one of our Vital 5 kiosks.

Our kiosks also help you look at things like your weight, alcohol use and smoking.

Find out more about the Vital 5 and kiosks near you: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/vital-5-ways-to-stay-healthy