Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, Chair of the NHS Confederation, paid a visit to Queen’s Hospital on Tuesday 19 October.

Along with our Chair, Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, and Chief Executive Matthew Trainer, he visited our Emergency Department (ED) before taking a tour of our Frailty Unit, hearing more about the difference this unit is making to our older patients.

Juliet Kumar, Divisional Nurse for Frailty and Geriatrics, explained how the unit provides a much calmer and quieter environment than ED to ensure elderly patients get the specialist care they need, reducing the length of time they need to stay in hospital and the associated risks.

Lord Adebowale was impressed by the focus on the individual, and our close working relationship with social services.

He said: “It’s inspiring to meet NHS people doing what they do every day. They are experts in the work they do, supported by a leadership team willing to learn from them and apply those learnings in a hospital which is under pressure.”

He also met Remi Odejinmi, Director for Equality, Diversion and Inclusion, to hear more about her new role, as well as members of our BAME staff network.

The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation which brings together, supports, and speaks for the healthcare system.

Pictured above are (l-r) Khalid Haque, acting Divisional Director for Frailty and Geriatrics, Juliet Kumar, Divisional Nurse, Frailty and Geriatrics, Chief Executive Matthew Trainer, Chair Jacqui Smith and Victor Adebowale, Chair of the NHS Confederation.