Today (29 March) marks the next step out of lockdown, with two households, or up to six people, now able to mix outside, including in private gardens – and with the weather set to send the mercury rising over the next couple of days, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Latest Covid-19 vaccine updates

Of course now more than ever, it’s important we do not become complacent and continue to support the vaccination programme so that we can follow the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, hopefully without delays.

Whilst we have seen tangible positive results since the programme started to rollout, there are some people who are still hesitant. The East London Health & Care Partnership website has details of this week’s Covid-19 online information sessions (including how to book) for anyone who would like to know more. As well as a session in Romanian, topics include fertility, the impact on the Muslim population, and an ‘older people’s Big Conversation; plus an event specially designed for those with autism and learning difficulties. 

It is also crucial we remember that having the vaccine does not guarantee us 100% protection, so make sure you still keep to ‘Hands – Face – Space’ and if you or your family show symptoms of Covid-19, even if you have been vaccinated, please ensure you get tested and follow the national isolation guidance.

There has been a lot of media coverage regarding supply of the vaccine. There will be limited availability of vaccine appointments on the National Booking System (NBS) for the month of April. However, some appointments at London vaccination centres and community pharmacies will still be available to book for Londoners in cohorts 1-9. This includes King George Hospital which launched as a designated centre last week.

Improving patient and staff experience at Queen’s Hospital Emergency Department

I’m delighted that just days ago, Shelagh Smith came out of retirement to cut the ribbon on our newly opened facilities in Queen’s Emergency Department (ED).

In this latest tranche of capital works, we have enhanced the environment for our staff, including a large, open plan wellbeing room with a kitchen, showers and changing areas. In addition the new area also boasts office space and training rooms.

We have also opened a Point of Care Testing (POCT) hot lab, which will speed up treatment times for our patients – their results are immediately available which speeds up the clinical decision making process, thereby reducing treatment delays. This means our patients will spend less time in ED while also leading to better overall health outcomes and improved patient experience, and improving our performance against the national four-hour standard.

Pioneering cancer diagnosis pilot

While Covid-19 continues to impact all of our lives, we must also remember that other illnesses will not wait until the end of the pandemic.

Early diagnosis is crucial and I’m extremely proud that we are the only Trust in north east London chosen as part of a launch for a pioneering clinical pilot, which will diagnose early pre-cancerous conditions of the stomach and oesophagus and ultimately save lives.

Cytosponge is a quick, safe and extremely effective test which does not require sedation. Patients simply swallow a capsule which is attached to a thread, the capsule then dissolves in the stomach and a small piece of sponge is released. The sponge is then removed by slowly pulling the thread and on removal it captures cells from the gullet which are sent for testing.

It really is quite incredible and I have no doubt we are all hoping it will be a great success.

Mile End Early Diagnosis Centre opens

We have also been working in partnership with Barts Health and Homerton University Hospital to create a new, innovative Early Diagnosis Centre (EDC) at Mile End Hospital, which has now formally opened for patients from across north east London.

The EDC provides additional services for people who are living with conditions that could increase their risk of cancer, such as gastric ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease, helping to detect disease early, as well as closely monitoring patients with early stage cancer who do not need treatment right away.

The centre is expected to carry out about 16,500 procedures over the next year.

Ahead of the launch, Sas Banerjee, Colorectal Surgeon and Endoscopy Lead for our Trust, and Noel Judge, a member of our Patient Partnership Council, featured in a short film introducing the new facilities.

I wanted to end today’s newsletter with an incredibly poignant story from Louise Head, our Associate Director of Research and Chief Medical Officer’s Services. In a recent podcast, part of our Palliative Care team’s Teaching for our Time series, Louise discusses openly and honestly her experience of loss after losing her sister, partner, and mother in quick succession. It is a moving, yet positive reflection, and certainly one that has made me reflect on dying - from a patient care perspective, where minutes literally make a difference in helping patients home; personally, in having the conversations that we should all be brave enough to have with family so our last days are spent as we would wish; and importantly, in the value of kindness.

I wish you all a restful bank holiday weekend and will be in touch again on 12 April.

Best wishes. 

Tony Chambers
Chief Executive