Across the country, urgent and emergency care services continue to be extremely busy and we know that locally we face a difficult winter, as we treat our sickest patients.

Our children’s ED at Queen’s Hospital has been particularly busy, so I wanted to remind you that our upgraded children’s ED at King George Hospital (KGH) is also open 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week and we’re here to look after you and your family.

As part of our recent £5m KGH ED upgrade, we invested £800k transforming the children’s ED into a state-of-the-art facility, which includes extra cubicles, a larger waiting room which has doubled in size, a high dependency bay, and a dedicated consultation room for children with mental health needs.

Your support in spreading this message will ensure local families know they have two hospitals to take children to if they require emergency care.

Looking after yourself

While any of us could unexpectedly require emergency care, it’s important that we proactively do what we can to protect ourselves and others.

Having your flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines will help protect you this winter, and I’d encourage you to have yours.

We're also holding a Monkeypox vaccination clinic at Barking Community Hospital this Sunday (16 October) and we have lots of availability, so please do book an appointment or find out if you’re eligible.

I’m delighted that more than 500 residents have taken advantage of a free opportunity to have their lungs scanned, following the launch of a national NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme earlier this summer.

The programme was launched in July across Barking and Dagenham and provides free lung checks for people aged between 55-74 who are current or former smokers.

Working alongside the North East London Cancer Alliance, we’re part of this vital pilot that will ultimately save lives.

Find out more information and if you’re eligible for a free lung health check.

Best wishes.

Matthew Trainer
Chief Executive