Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

We recently joined members of the Turkish and Bulgarian community at Edmonton Green Library for a breast awareness and screening event.

With support from a translator, we discussed the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, how to check for changes, and the importance of attending screening appointments.

Participants also used a breast model containing hidden lumps to practise what they had learned.

💬 “It’s very important for our community to know before it’s too late. It’s important if we have any changes in our body. All women should be checked and be breast aware.”
— Nazife and Fidaie, community members who attended the session.

Events like this help make breast health information more accessible to our communities. Earlier this year, the Royal Free London became the largest breast screening provider in England, helping more women access potentially life-saving screening.

Thank you to everyone who attended and took part.

Eid ul-Adha begins on the evening of 26 May.

Wishing all our staff, patients, carers and local communities celebrating Eid ul-Adha peace, harmony, happiness and good health.

Eid ul-Adha is an important Islamic festival that commemorates the faith, devotion and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim, Hajar and Ismail to God. It reflects the values of sacrifice, gratitude, compassion and generosity, while reminding us of the importance of faith and helping those in need.

The festival also marks the completion of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and an important religious obligation for those who are able to undertake it.

Eid ul-Adha, meaning ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, is traditionally observed through communal prayers, charitable giving, sharing meals with family and friends, and supporting those less fortunate.

Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating.

Nursing, midwifery and healthcare support worker (HCSW) colleagues from across the Royal Free London were recognised for their dedication, compassion and commitment to patient care at the fourth annual nursing, midwifery and HCSW awards.

Held at the Royal Free Hospital, the awards celebrated excellence in leadership, innovation, teamwork and patient care, with almost 230 nominations submitted by colleagues, patients, service users and relatives.

Congratulations to all winners and nominees, and thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and helped celebrate the incredible work taking place across our hospitals and services.

With thanks to the Royal Free Charity for supporting this year's celebrations.

Read the full story on our website: https://ow.ly/S8Yg50Z49A1

International Clinical Trials Day 🧪

Today we’re celebrating the patients, researchers, nurses and clinicians helping shape the future of healthcare through clinical research at the Royal Free London.

Research is central to improving patient care across our hospitals, giving more patients access to pioneering therapies, innovative treatments and clinical trials.

At our Clinical Research Facility (CRF), 1,673 patients joined early-phase studies over the past year, while the number of active studies increased from 180 to 217, a 20% rise year on year.

For patients like Nina Charalambous, taking part in a clinical trial has been life changing. Nina, 54, from Barnet, joined an antibody therapy research trial at the CRF last November after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

💬 “When I was told I was a good candidate for a trial I grabbed the opportunity and prayed it would work.”

After 18 weeks of treatment, Nina saw a 68% reduction in her tumours.

💬 “I’m now enjoying feeling well enough to get out and about and spend time in my garden.”

Dr Alexa Childs, oncology consultant and one of the leads for the trust's oncology portfolio, says research is helping patients access new treatments sooner.

💬 “Being part of this research gives our patients hope and the opportunity to try a new treatment that could potentially be the next big thing.”

Funding for the CRF was facilitated by the Royal Free Charity when it opened in 2021, with further support through National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding running from 2022 to 2029.

Read more about Nina’s story and the impact of clinical research at the Royal Free London:
https://ow.ly/STFk50Z1HyH

Don’t miss our next governor surgery taking place today at the Royal Free Hospital.

Come along between 12 and 2pm, just outside M&S on the ground floor, to speak directly with your elected governors, Joe Adams and David Hawley.

This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, and help influence how your governors represent you and our wider community.

Happy Shavuot to all our Jewish staff, patients and visitors.

Shavuot is celebrated seven weeks after Passover, and celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

It is also a harvest festival, traditionally associated with eating dairy foods like cheesecake, gratitude for the first fruits of the year, and taking time to study.

This year, Shavuot begins on the evening of Thursday 21 May and continues until the evening of Saturday 23 May, with Friday and Saturday observed as festival days.

Chag Shavuot Sameach.