In my first update since the sad passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, I would like to send my condolences to The Royal Family. Like the rest of the country, we joined the national minute’s silence on Saturday and our Chaplaincy team held a virtual service for colleagues.

The next step of lockdown

As we enter step two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, we can continue to resume services as and when safe to do so. That’s why I am really pleased to be able to share that since last Monday (12 April) partners are now able to attend all maternity scans at our hospitals.

The safety of our patients, visitors and staff remains our priority and we’ve worked hard to make it possible for loved ones to attend scans, as we know how hard it’s been for those who have been unable to. To keep up to date with our latest service updates, please take a look at our website.

As hospitality and retail outlets have started to open up in different capacities, I hope many of you were able to enjoy a coffee outdoors or a much needed haircut over the past week!

But now more than ever, it’s crucial that we adhere to the current restrictions in place. While we look forward to the brighter days that are ahead of us and enjoy them, let’s remember hands, face, space.

Camera capsule pilot

As I’ve said many times before, it’s really important to look after your own health because other illnesses will not wait until the end of the pandemic.

Catching cancer early is crucial and that’s why I am extremely proud that we are part of a national trial which will see patients swallow a capsule containing a camera to test for colorectal cancer.

The 20-month trial is being rolled out across 42 sites in the UK and we are one of only two trusts in north east London offering this incredible technology. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say I hope this trial is a major success.

National study on paediatric diabetes and Covid-19

Working for an NHS Trust, I am very lucky to witness first-hand the amazing studies we are a part of and this week I’m pleased we’ve announced a new study with child diabetes.

Doctors from our Children’s Emergency Department (ED) are launching a national study into the characteristics of children and young people presenting to ED with diabetes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This fantastic study is called ‘DIMPLES’ (Diabetes Mellitus in children and young people presenting to the Emergency Department during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic) and it’s the first of its kind. I look forward to sharing future updates with you.

New Non-Executive Director joins

I am delighted to share with you that Mehboob Khan has agreed to join our Board, as a Non-Executive Director.

Mehboob is a fantastic addition and we will continue to benefit from his extensive experience of the NHS, having been one of our Board Advisors and, more recently, an Associate NED, as well as his strategic insights from his work with London Councils and with Redbridge.

“It doesn’t define me, but it is a part of me” – Clare’s story

I’d like to end this week’s update by sharing an incredibly brave story by Clare Bailey, our Divisional Director of Healthcare Professionals.

The pandemic has been difficult for so many people, in a number of different ways. Clare has shared that she has a stammer, and it has been even harder to control over the past year.

One sentence in Clare’s story which particularly stuck with me was; “I have a stammer - many of you may not know it, and it doesn’t define me, but it is a part of me.”

This is a timely reminder to all of us to never judge a book by its cover. We never know how people feel or what they are finding difficult and I’d like to thank Clare for sharing this with us, as I am sure it will encourage others to be more open when they feel ready to.

Best wishes. 

Tony Chambers
Chief Executive