Army cadets from 4 Company, based in Romford, visited Tropical Lagoon Children’s Ward on Thursday 12 December.

Local schoolchildren have been bringing festive cheer to our hospitals while raising money for the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity, by singing around our Christmas tree.

The Tanzanian High Commissioner and the country’s Health Minister were among guests at our first Global Health event to celebrate the partnerships and collaborations established by our staff with organisations around the world.

We held a special Christmas lunch at The Cranleigh in Hornchurch on Monday 9 December for volunteers who give up their time to help us.

A massive congratulations to Bluebell A at Queen’s Hospital, which achieved gold in our ward accreditation.

We’re tackling our waiting list for patients who need cataract surgery – carrying out more than triple the usual number on day one of a new project, with 20 operations completed, compared to six on an average previously.

We’ve opened a Women’s Health Hub in the Ilford Exchange Shopping Centre, in collaboration with partners including NHS North East London, making it easier for women to get the care they need while helping to reduce the health inequalities they face.

Congratulations to Beech ward at King George Hospital and Amber A and Amber B wards at Queen’s Hospital for achieving silver.

Lauren Winser, 18, from Harold Hill, was part of our first-ever group of T-Level students who completed placements at Queen’s and King George hospitals. Lauren is now being taken on as an apprentice with us.

Patients in our Emergency Departments are tested for conditions including HIV unless they choose to opt-out. From April to October, we conducted an average of 6,857 HIV tests every month across Queen’s and King George hospitals.