The demand for checks, scans and tests across north east London (NEL) is growing and with an expected population growth of 250,000 in the next 10 years, we need to make sure we meet the needs of our residents.

NHS partners across NEL are currently asking for views on proposals to increase diagnostic services across our boroughs.

Make sure you have your say. More details are available online.

One of the proposals is to invest at Barking Community Hospital (BCH) by building a Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC). We’ve been doing a lot of work to add extra capacity at BCH over the last year and the additional diagnostic equipment is helping treat patients faster.

We will be working with stakeholders and local residents to help us understand what’s important when using our services at BCH and we’ll be sharing more details with you shortly.

Thanking our staff

Our staff work incredibly hard every day to care for our residents and it’s important that we recognise this.

Today marked the start of our Platinum Jubilee Thank You weekend for staff, which we’re marking with a variety of events at our hospitals, including an afternoon tea at Queen’s Hospital and a family and friends’ picnic and fun day at King George Hospital (KGH). Keen to show their thanks for our staff, we were delighted to welcome ex-West Ham United strikers Carlton Cole and Marlon Harewood.

Not to be outdone by our local sporting heroes, colleagues and I have come together to form music band the Pfizer Chiefs and we’ll be treating our staff to hearing us play at a couple of the events.

Volunteering opportunities

Our volunteers are an important part of our workforce and play a key role in improving the experiences of both our patients and staff.

Whether it’s as a patient partner, wayfinder or ward befriender, we work with volunteers of all ages and we’re looking to recruit more.

Our next recruitment week takes place in August. For more details, email our Patient Experience team.

I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Best wishes,

Matthew Trainer
Chief Executive