News

September 2020

25th

• CW Innovation programme—one year on

  The CW Innovation programme, run by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with our charity CW+, is celebrating its first anniversary. It’s been a year like no other with the COVID-19 pandemic spurring a wave of innovation across the Trust.

22nd

• West Middlesex University Hospital turns 100

  West Middlesex celebrated its centenary on 17 Sep 2020, with Chief Executive Lesley Watts announcing a year of celebrations to highlight the staff, medical achievements and contributions of the hospital to the country and community.

• Trust Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and complaints teams come together

  Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints teams have now come together to form one team, available at both hospitals to provide a seamless service for our patients and their representatives.

10th

• A picture of health: an acute Trust’s core catchment

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust today published its first Public Health profile which describes the broad health needs of the core population it serves. This work was supported by the Health Foundation.

9th

• The Burdett Trust for Nursing enables nurse-led innovation projects at Chelsea and Westminster

  In a first of its kind partnership, a generous grant from the Burdett Trust for Nursing will create a unique Nursing Innovation Fellow position, to lead on innovative projects at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CWFT).

August 2020

25th

• Trust celebrates its first day case hip replacement surgery

  Our Trauma and Orthopaedics department at West Middlesex University Hospital is trialling how to improve services during COVID-19 by supporting some of our patients to have hip surgery and be discharged the same day.

7th

• Trust uses game-changing nudge test for coronavirus testing

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has joined one of eight London hospitals involved in the initial deployment of the COVID nudge test—a rapid, accurate, portable test that delivers results on the spot, at the point of need and in only 90 minutes.

4th

• Heatwave Alert

  London is moving to heatwave alert level 3 from Friday 6th August. This means there is high probability of increasingly hot conditions until Sunday 9th August.

2nd

• Trust joins leading research partnership for better care

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has joined the Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC).

July 2020

27th

• Healthy volunteers to help us develop a COVID-19 vaccine

  We are looking for healthy male or female volunteers aged 18-75 to take part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial. This is the Chelsea and Westminster arm of the COVAC1 vaccine trial led by Imperial College.

14th

• Trust confident we can resume more services safely

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is resuming a variety of services paused or reduced by Covid-19. We are confident as we resume more services that we can deliver a high quality of care, keeping patients, visitors and staff safe. We urge those offered appointments and procedures to take advantage of them

10th

• Growing evidence COVID-19 severity and smoking linked

  Public health doctors at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College London looked at smoking as a risk factor for inpatients with COVID-19.

2nd

• Local artist’s portrait of Sir Tom Moore donated to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

  A portrait of Captain Sir Tom Moore, the war veteran who raised £32million for the NHS, was unveiled at our Chelsea and Westminster hospital site. Local Olney artist, Michelle Turner, created the portrait as part of an art class she runs and the response to the piece has been exceptional.

June 2020

30th

• #PROUD to have #PRIDE

  Pride month is a time for our LGBTQ+ community to celebrate the progress made to attain the rights we currently enjoy and remember those who fought over the years to win these rights.

24th

• Heatwave alert—stay safe!

  Severe hot weather is expected in the UK this week. Here are some useful resources and tips to help you stay safe and beat the heat.

22nd

• National Windrush Day—a celebration of the Caribbean community in the UK

  Today is National Windrush Day when we celebrate the outstanding contribution of Caribbean people to the UK, making the NHS what it is to this day.

14th

• More visitors can be admitted from 15 June 2020

  The Trust implemented a restricted visiting policy in March to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. We can now offer more opportunities to visit patients while seeking to keep everyone safe from infection.

4th

• Volunteers Week—clapping for our volunteers during the pandemic

  National Volunteers Week allows us to celebrate the extraordinary contribution of our volunteers new and old throughout the year and during the special circumstances of the pandemic.

May 2020

29th

• LifeArc boosts COVID research funding by £1.37m

  The PIONEER clinical trial, launched to test treatments for COVID-19, has received a funding booster of nearly £1.37 m of £10 m awarded globally by medical research charity LifeArc. The trial is underway at Chelsea and Westminster/West Middlesex University Hospital.

22nd

• AMAFFI Perfume House gifts scented garden to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as a lasting thank you to staff

  International luxury fragrance brand AMAFFI Perfume House has gifted an exquisite scented garden to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as a lasting thank you to NHS staff.

3rd

• PIONEER study tests treatments for mild to moderate COVID-19

  An important new international study will compare two treatments for early stage COVID-19 inpatients. It is led by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, in conjunction with Imperial College and the Royal Brompton Hospital and in association with University Hospitals Leuven/UZ Leuven in Belgium,

1st

• Coronavirus—our hospitals and services

  Important changes to NHS and Chelsea Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust services outlined here to inform public, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2020

30th

• Free webinar for endometriosis patients in times of COVID-19

  An expert panel consisting of endometriosis specialists from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is hosting a free live webinar to answer patient questions about dealing with this condition during the current pandemic and offer much needed advice and support to them.

23rd

• Trust improves digital solutions to support COVID-19 response

  The Trust’s digital team has introduced a range of exciting technological enhancements to help improve patients’ care and hospital experience, giving them more control over their care. They will also help the hospital to continue to run efficiently in this challenging time

• A message for your loved ones

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust launched today, a ‘Message for You’ project to enable people to send messages to their loved ones while they are in hospital, while wards are closed to visitors.

21st

• Hearts for our hospitals

  During the coronavirus outbreak it’s more difficult for people to say goodbye to loved ones. We’re joining hospitals around the country calling on local crafters to help us to help families to feel closer to their loved ones at this difficult time.

20th

• Macmillan cancer nurses supporting fight against coronavirus

  The London Nightingale is one of seven sites across England providing surge capacity and it's great to know that some of our Chelsea and Westminster Hospital staff are able to offer their support by joining other NHS colleagues across the country.

14th

• #OneMillionClaps appeal for health service heroes launches

  An urgent appeal launched today to raise millions of pounds to support NHS nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers saving British lives during the coronavirus crisis.

9th

• A big thank you from us

  In the last few weeks we’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of goodwill messages, donations and support we’ve received from all corners of the London community.

7th

• Trust wins Gold in new NHS visual data competition

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to have won Gold in a new data visualisation competition sponsored by the Nuffield Trust, the BMJ and NHS Digital. Using data provided by NHS Digital, entrants were asked to tell a captivating visual story about the health of different groups of people in England.

• Improving outpatient experience at Chelsea site

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is expanding a successful trial of sending outpatient appointment letters by text. With immediate effect, the system will apply to nearly all Adult and Paediatric services on the Chelsea site.

March 2020

25th

• All wards closed to visitors in response to Coronavirus

  We have taken the difficult decision to stop visitors visiting any ward in our hospitals as we try to limit the risk of spreading the Coronavirus. Visitors will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances.

• Advice about COVID-19 (coronavirus)

  The NHS in London and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

20th

• Incredible commitment from Julia and Hans Rausing towards our COVID-19 response

  Just two days after our hospital charity CW+ launched their COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, they have received an incredible commitment from Julia and Hans Rausing. This amazing support will help provide equipment, new technology, and support for our frontline staff.

13th

• Outpatient letters by text or email at West Middlesex

  West Middlesex University Hospital is launching a major improvement to how patients get their outpatient appointment letters. Patients will now have the option of accessing their appointment letter digitally (by email or phone text).

9th

• Four innovation projects shortlisted for BMJ awards

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for four BMJ Awards, the most received by one Trust in this year’s awards. The BMJ Awards promote excellence in healthcare and recognise the inspirational work of healthcare teams across the country.

February 2020

28th

• No drop-in coronavirus testing at our hospitals

  There is no drop-in or self-referred coronavirus testing at our hospitals. If you are concerned you might have coronavirus symptoms, you should call NHS 111 rather than visit your GP or a hospital.

January 2020

31st

• Trust warmly welcomes positive CQC report

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust today warmly welcomed its latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings, which show the Trust is well-led, and offers safe, caring, responsive and effective services.

27th

• Making breakfast count

  Breakfast—an important part of anyone’s daily routine, but after a life-changing event such as a stroke, that can be difficult. On our Nell Gwynne Ward at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Breakfast Group provides a good social occasion, supports recovery, and helps assessment for patients.

December 2019

• Christmas Day voluntary angels

  Our Trust volunteers make such a difference to helping us deliver better quality services. This year we launched a Christmas volunteering campaign to encourage volunteers to support our patients and staff over the busy Christmas period.

20th

• Chelsea FC players bring smiles to the children's wards

  A special visit from Chelsea Football Club’s first team, who came to spread some Christmas cheer to the children’s wards, organised by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and our official charity CW+.

• Christmas cheer

  Across our Trust, Christmas is a time for celebrating staff and teams—for their kindness, positive attitude, and creativity.

• Midwife leader honoured after 35 years

  Chief Midwifery Officer, Tonie Neville, was surprised to receive a retirement present with a difference—a prestigious NHS Gold Award from Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, the Chief Midwifery Officer for England.

2nd

• Help us help you this winter

  This winter, the NHS in North West London is reminding residents of the range of healthcare services to help them stay well.

November 2019

28th

• On World AIDS Day, imagine a world without HIV

  The Trust will celebrate World AIDS Day on Friday 29 November. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust runs the largest HIV service in the country and has a long association with the fight against HIV/AIDS.

October 2019

31st

• Keep yourself and your loved ones safe—get the flu jab

  Keep yourself and your loved ones safe—get vaccinated for flu every year, as the flu is a different strain every year. Being vaccinated is the responsible way to protect yourself and those you care about.

28th

• West Mid volunteer highly commended in national Helpforce awards

  Salma Abdi, youth volunteer at West Middlesex University Hospital, was highly commended for Young Volunteer of the Year at the Helpforce Champions Awards 2019, which provides national recognition of fantastic contributions to volunteering in the NHS.

18th

• ISS staff and the London Living Wage

  ISS are our partners and their staff deliver a wide range of important services including cleaning, catering, portering and waste management. Working with ISS and neighbouring Trusts, we can now announce that by 1 April 2020 all ISS staff at our Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex sites will be paid the London Living Wage.

17th

• Temporary changes to North West London Pathology’s governance structure

  The owners of North West London Pathology—The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust—are to strengthen their support for ambitious plans to deliver one of the largest pathology transformation programmes in the country, through a temporary change to the organisation’s governance structure.

9th

• National recognition for frontline staff initiatives

  NHS Providers has today launched a major new programme of work, Providers deliver, to celebrate and promote the work of NHS trusts and foundation trusts in improving care.

• Innovative app being adopted across the NHS

  Today, the Mum & Baby app—born from a need to provide reliable information to women in North West London—is adopted by other Local Maternity Systems across England including the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System (BOB ICS).