News from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Issue 33 | 2020

No place like homeProviding care in the best place for you

THIS ISSUE

2 the GiST

WelcomeDedication to the local communities we serve isat the heart of everything we do at Guy’s and St Thomas’, providing our patients with highquality, personal care.

In this issue of the GiST, you can find out abouttwo new projects that are helping patients get theright care, in the right place, at the right time.

Our magazine cover stars are Doris Spiller, frailty nurse Danny Catania, andLambeth GP, Dr Raj Mitra. Read about a unique new service that is helpingpatients, like Doris, stay at home for longer and avoid unnecessary hospitalappointments, on page 12.

You can also read about a new group that is helping older patients to keepdancing on page 7, and find out how Evelina London’s neonatal unit isproviding support and care to the whole family on page 8.

We are incredibly proud of our staff who give up their free time to supportthe Armed Forces. Meet some of the reservists working across our Trust onpage 10.

We know it’s important to support and encourage everyone to look aftertheir mental health, just as we do with physical health. Find out how we areputting mental health at the forefront of care for patients and staff on page 14.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the GiST.

Contents

Meet the team

Words and photos by Marjorie Allen, Hannah Brewin, Kelly Cook, Nzinga Cotton, Simon Ellery, Maxine Hoeksma, Graeme Mair, Eloise Parfitt, Joe Parry and Anna Perman.

Cover photo by David Tett.

Design: AYA-Creative www.aya-creative.co.uk

Print: O’Sullivan Communications

Front cover: Patient Doris Spiller with Danny Catania, frailty nurse practitioner, and Dr Raj Mitra

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

If you have any comments about the magazineor suggestions for future articles, pleasecontact the communications department, St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, or email press@gstt.nhs.uk

Visit us online at: www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk

the GiSTis published by

05 Model hospitalLEGO Evelina London unveiled

07 The scores are inOlder patients keep dancing

10 Going the extra mile Supporting the Armed Forces

12 Joining up the dotsCare closer to home

17 Born survivor Saved by pioneering treatment

20 Behind the scenesMeet assistant housekeeperDickson Attah

Dr Ian Abbs, Chief ExecutiveGuy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

We are delighted that the GiSThas scooped the award for

‘Best Corporate Publication – External’ at the CorpComms Awards 2019, andbeen shortlisted for ‘Best branded

content publication’ by theCorporate Content Awards

2020.

happy and excited. It was wonderful andsomething that she’ll never ever forget.”

Marian Ridley, Director of Evelina London,said: “We are extremely proud to host theNational Portrait Gallery’s creative artsworkshop and delighted that we were joinedby Her Royal Highness The Duchess ofCambridge to see the excellent work thatthey do.

“Art is an invaluable therapy for childrenand young people while they are in hospital.It helps to develop their creativity and givesthem something to enjoy, while reducing anyanxieties they may be feeling.”

A former NFL player who setup a lung cancer charity afterthe death of his wife has beenraising awareness that thedisease doesn’t just affectsmokers.

Chris Draft, who played forthe San Francisco 49ers andthe Atlanta Falcons, visited theCancer Centre at Guy’s tomeet a group of lung cancerpatients.

He founded the charityTeam Draft which is dedicated to raisingawareness of the signs and symptoms oflung cancer, and highlighting themisconception that it is only a ‘smokers’disease’.

Chris said: “It’s great to get people tostop smoking. It’s great that we havecleaner air and it’s great that we improveenvironmental areas and spaces.

ROUND-UP

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 3

IN THE NEWSA round-up of media coveragefeaturing Guy’s and St Thomas’.

ITV London News

ITV London News featured DrSabina Checketts (picturedbelow) who was born two and ahalf months early and is now adoctor who cares for prematurebabies at Evelina LondonChildren’s Hospital. Sabina wasborn weighing less than 3lb andis now a trainee children’sdoctor.

Sunday People

Susan Harper-Clarke, whofeared she may never havechildren, has two boys nowthanks to a ‘miracle’ stitch. TheSunday People reported thatSusan suffered two latemiscarriages before enrollingonto a trial at St Thomas’Hospital. She was given anabdominal stitch and went on tohave two healthy sons.

Daily Mirror

The Daily Mirror featured four-year-old Nancy Rockell,who was born with her heart onthe wrong side of her body andwith tangled intestines. Sheunderwent four majoroperations at Evelina LondonChildren’s Hospital, includingthree open-heart procedures.Her mum Kayleigh said: “Thelatest operation has been life-changing for Nancy. She hasmore energy, she can now eatproperly and she enjoys playingwith her two brothers.”

Her Royal Highness The Duchess ofCambridge visited Evelina LondonChildren’s Hospital to meetchildren, young people and theirfamilies taking part in a creativearts workshop.

Led by the National PortraitGallery as part of their Hospital Programme,the art activities were inspired by theGallery’s portrait of actor Ben Whishaw.

The Duchess, who is Patron of both theNational Portrait Gallery and EvelinaLondon, joined groups of children in theatrium, and visited Beach Ward, whereyoung people awaiting surgery were able toalso take part.

Anna-Victoria Amoafa-Sennie, nine,presented The Duchess with a posy whenshe arrived at the hospital.

Her mother Irene, from Redbridge inEssex, said: “It was so lovely to see Anna-Victoria meeting The Duchess. She was so

Tackling the stigma of lung cancer

The Duchessgets creative

Chris Draft with patients

The Duchess of Cambridge taking part in a creative workshop

“But we do need early detection, betterresearch and a focus on survivorship.”

Rachel Thomas, lung cancer clinical nursespecialist at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “Oneof the major issues is that the publicperception is that you only get lung cancer ifyou smoke, but actually 10–15% of patientswill have never smoked in their life and bevery young.”

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ROUND-UP

Your voiceWe love to hear from our patients, staff and supporters so join theconversation by following us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

@HappyBadgerUK (from Twitter) Dear @GSTTnhs THANK YOU. For thelast 10 months you’ve been helping merecover from a nasty injury, & fromyour reception staff, to nurses,surgeons & physios you’ve beenBRILLIANT. I couldn’t have asked forbetter care. Particular thanks to Simonin Admissions, who was great.

@Scott_B71 (from Twitter) The staff @GSTTnhs are next level, trulyamazing. Few words can sum up justhow amazing but will be writing to themsoon to at least try, thank you #NHS

Judy Maskell (from Facebook)Wonderful hospital. In particular theEpilepsy nurses

Mandy Kane Benn (from Facebook)Fantastic oncology dept at Guys thankyou for caring for my Dad

Twitter @GSTTnhs@EvelinaLondonfacebook.com/gsttnhs

youtube.com/gsttnhs

The London Eye was illuminated in the colours of the Evelina London logo to celebrate the children’shospital’s 150th birthday, with help from some very special young people. Four children whose liveshave been transformed by care from Evelina London hit the switch to light up the iconic landmark.

@natalicehudson (from Twitter) My twins Sam and Elliot arrived onTuesday, and I’ve been blown away bythe incrediblecare from@GSTTnhs.Sending a huge“thank you” toall the amazingstaff on the HighDependencyUnit and PostNatal Ward, especially support workerSusan and prescribing midwife Isabel

@fionnamartin (from Twitter) @GSTTnhs Just left your ED afterreceiving stellar care and supportdelivered with kindness andprofessionalism. Hats off to the EDteam once again. Thank you.

Improving care for local hospicepatientsPatients nearing the end of theirlives in south east London aregetting the best possible medicinescare thanks to a pharmacy teamfrom Guy’s and St Thomas’.

The team, consisting of a full-time pharmacist and pharmacytechnician, are now based in thenew pharmacy department at St Christopher’s Hospice inSydenham.

They supply medicines andadvice to doctors and nurseslooking after 38 inpatients, and1,200 patients at home or innursing homes across Lambeth,Southwark, Lewisham, Croydon andBromley.

Steven Wanklyn, consultantpharmacist for palliative and end oflife care, said: “Many patientsapproaching the end of their lifewant to be at home.

“But it can be helpful to spendtime on an inpatient ward ifsymptoms such as pain andsickness need better control.

“Having a pharmacy team on sitewill help us to do this at the hospiceand reduce the chances of a patienthaving to go to hospital instead.”

Nigel Dodds, consultant nurse atSt Christopher’s Hospice, said: “Thelink with Guy’s and St Thomas’means that medications are oftenavailable the same day or outsidenormal hours.”

The team at St Christopher’s Hospice

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 5

ROUND-UP

Model hospitalEvelina London Children’s Hospital hasbeen brought to life with a modelreplica made of 60,000 LEGO pieces.

The 1/50th scale re-creation of thebuilding features more than 200different LEGO Minifigures – includingone very special figure designed toresemble Evelina London’s RoyalPatron, HRH The Duchess ofCambridge.

The model shows the innerworkings of the hospital, with views ofdifferent wards, reception areas and theiconic Evelina London atrium. It wasdonated by charity Fairy Bricks and wascreated by long-time LEGO enthusiast andvolunteer, Gary Davis.

It was unveiled with the help of eight-year-old Marina Yaqobi, who placed thefinal Minifigure on the model, which was

Chloe Breen

created to look like her. Last year Marina spent eight months at

Evelina London receiving treatment for aserious lung problem and kidney failure.

The LEGO model is on display at EvelinaLondon’s atrium until September, beforebeing taken to Skaerbaek in Denmark foran international LEGO Exhibition.

Celebratingdouble award

The GiST recently scooped anaward for Best CorporatePublication at theCorpComms Awards 2019.

The judges said it had thefeel of a “high qualitymagazine”, which “achievedgreat outcomes for a very lowbudget”.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ alsopicked up an award for BestUse of Video for our We Carefilm, which was created tomark the NHS’s 70th birthday.It involved 36 members ofstaff working in a variety ofroles across the Trust.

The judges described thevideo as “moving”, adding:“This was such a great jobusing real people. It was highlyauthentic”.

Anita Knowles, Director ofCommunications, said: “Thissuccess is even more specialbecause both our winning filmand magazine celebrate ourincredible patients, familiesand staff.

“We are always very proudto be able to share theirstories and celebrate what wedo at Guy’s and St Thomas’.”

To watch our We Care film,visit www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/WeCare

We Care film

Europe’s largest public study of patientswith narcolepsy, a sleep disorder, hasbegun recruiting at Guy’s and St Thomas’.

The NIHR Narcolepsy BioResourceaims to understand why symptoms varyso much between patients and to findnew, tailored ways to treat the condition.

Narcolepsy is a rare condition where thebrain is unable to regulate sleeping and wakingpatterns normally. Symptoms can includesudden drowsiness and cataplexy – a suddenloss of muscle tone.

Chloe Breen, from Winchester, has hadnarcolepsy since she was 12 and is on apsychology placement with the sleep team atEvelina London, working with children withneurological conditions including narcolepsy.

Chloe, 20, said: “For me narcolepsy meansthat in addition to a good night’s sleep, I needaround four one-hour sleeps during the day. Itrequires me to be really organised and hard-working, so in a way I’ve pushed myself harderto get good A-Levels and go to universitybecause of the condition.”

Speaking about the study, she said: “I knowother people with narcolepsy who have acouple of 15-minute naps a day and are fine, soit’s just incredible how varied the condition is.It’s exciting to know that we can start tounderstand why that is, and hopefully helpdoctors be able to treat each person in thebest way for them.”

Professor Paul Gringras, consultantpaediatrician at Evelina London, said: “Whilewe’ve made great strides in our understandingof the condition, this new resource couldcreate a sea change in the field.”

Narcolepsystudy opens

Marina Yaqobi with her mum Halia and Gary Davis

SPOTLIGHT

6 the GiST

For many years Sarah Brownexperienced chest pains and othersymptoms that couldn’t be explained bydoctors, despite numerous tests andinvestigations.

Then in 2012 she was finallydiagnosed with a heart condition calledmicrovascular angina.

Angina is chest pain caused byreduced blood flow to the heart muscles.It's not usually life threatening, but it's awarning sign that you could be at risk ofa heart attack or stroke.

Microvascular angina is a form of thiscondition where the changes to theblood flow are caused by problems withthe small arteries.

The condition mostly affects womenand symptoms could indicate that apatient might need treatment, or tomake lifestyle changes.

Since being treated by ProfessorDivaka Perera, a consultant cardiologistat Guy’s and St Thomas’ and an expert inmicrovascular angina, Sarah hasdeveloped a passion for research.

The 58-year-old has contributed to agroundbreaking research study, led byProfessor Perera, which has shown a newway to diagnose the condition.

The study found that using a drug

called adenosine during an angiogram –a type of X-ray used to examine bloodvessels – could diagnose patients withmicrovascular angina.

Sarah, from north London, said:“When I first had symptoms, it took yearsto get a diagnosis as microvascularangina is thought to be such a rarecondition. This new research could meanpeople who have the condition will beable to get the diagnosis when they firstgo for an angiogram, and get the kind ofsupport that I have received.

“Having a diagnosis makes such adifference – it means you know what’sgoing on with your body and that you canget treatment from experts like ProfessorPerera. He’s really saved my sanity.”

Sarah contributed to the study as apatient advisor, working with ProfessorPerera and clinical research fellow, DrHaseeb Rahman.

Sarah said: “I’ve already got mydiagnosis, so it’s been great to be able tocontribute to this study in a differentway. The team have been involving me atevery stage, from the study design to

Anna Perman speaks topatient Sarah Brownabout why she’s helpingwith research for ahidden heart complaint.

even looking over the final researchpaper.

“Research should be a partnershipbetween the scientist and the patient,and Professor Perera and Dr Rahmanhave really shown they value thecontribution patients can make toresearch.”

The former midwife added: “Researchlike this is so important on a wider scale. Ihope that if more women like me withmicrovascular angina get a diagnosis,then this could unlock further studiesand funding so that we can understandthe condition more.”

Professor Perera said: “Our study hasgiven us new and useful insights intowhat is happening to patients withmicrovascular angina. We hope this willhelp us pick up the condition better, andalso could help us develop personalisedtreatments.

“The more we can understanddifferent types of angina, the more wecan ensure these patients are managedappropriately and we are able to improvetheir quality of life.”

Heart researchbrings hope

“Having adiagnosis makessuch a difference –it means you knowwhat’s going onwith your body andthat you can gettreatment fromexperts likeProfessor Perera.”

Picture courtesy of B

ritish Heart Found

ation

Sarah Brown

SPOTLIGHT

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 7

As the nation was overcome with StrictlyCome Dancing fever, older patients atGuy’s and St Thomas’ were inspired to hitthe dance floor.

The Older PersonsAssessment Unit at Guy’sHospital, in partnership withBreathe Arts HealthResearch, runs a 10-week‘Breathe Dance’ programmefor people aged 60 and over.

The dance sessions aim toreduce falls by improving a patient’sstrength and balance, which helps themto maintain their independence andwellbeing.

From Nancy Sinatra’s “These BootsAre Made for Walkin’” to Bill Withers’“Lovely Day”, participants use the rhythmof the music to learn contemporary andcreative dance moves.

Breathe Dance instructor StellaHoward leads the sessions with supportfrom the Trust’s physiotherapists.

There’s no dreaded dance off at theend, instead they finish each class with acup of tea and a chat.

Alexandra Denning-Kemp, seniorspecialist physiotherapist at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “All our patients havedone incredibly well on the course and get

a 10 for effort from me. I’ve seen theirconfidence grow each week and theirprogression has been astounding – some

of them no longer usewalking aids.

“Dancing is great formaintaining strong bones,improving posture andmuscle strength, andincreasing balance and co-ordination. It’s also abrilliant way to meet new

people, helping to tackle loneliness andsocial isolation.”

Jean Whur, 81, from Sydenham insouth east London, joined the BreatheDance course after finding out she wouldneed a hip replacement.

She said: “It’s not a magic solution butit loosens you up. I don’t shuffle when I goout now. It’s a really good place to mix too– we are bonded by our limps.”

Heather Burke, 60, from Elephant andCastle in south east London, has arthritisand struggles with her mobility.

The mother-of-six, who has 15grandchildren, said: “When I start theclass I’m sore but when I finish I feel like Icould run out – I feel 30 again. It’s givenme confidence and I’ve become friendswith the other people taking part.”

Barbara Robson, 89, from Southwarkin south London, added: “I live alonewithout any family so I really look forwardto the classes and a cuppa at the end.

“Each week is full of laughter and givesme an emotional lift, which is soimportant. Stella doesn’t just put themusic on and ignore it, she uses therhythm to encourage you.”

Stella Howard, who has been a danceteacher for 20 years, said: “We aim toforget about the woes of balance andstability and enjoy moving. The physiostudio has become our stage, in which tolift our postures and strut across thefloor.”

Breathe Arts Health Research runs aperforming arts programme across theTrust and is made possible with supportfrom Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.

Hannah Dye, Breathe Arts HealthResearch’s Head of Programmes, said:“Breathe Dance has exceeded ourexpectations already – it’s proof that notonly can dance contribute to improvedstrength and balance but it can enhancethe general wellbeing of these wonderfulindividuals too. We’re looking forward toworking with more patients through thisprogramme and measuring the clinicalimpact dance has had.”

Kelly Cookjoins a newgroup that ishelping olderpatients tokeep dancing.

“Each week isfull of laughterand gives me anemotional lift.”

Breathe Dance group

escoresare in

8 the GiST

IN FOCUS

Nzinga Cotton finds out how EvelinaLondon’s neonatal unit provides supportand care to the whole family.

Having a sick or premature baby admittedto hospital can be a very upsetting andstressful time for parents.

That’s why the neonatal unit at EvelinaLondon Children’s Hospital is focussed oncaring for and supporting the wholefamily.

Evelina London is one of a handful ofhospitals across the country that has adedicated clinical psychologist based inthe neonatal unit.

Dr Rebecca Chilvers, lead clinicalpsychologist, said: “Parents can often feelshocked, frightened and experience asense of helplessness and, at times,hopelessness.

“Having someone to talk to whounderstands the neonatal unit can helpreduce the immediate and long-termimpact on their mental health andemotional well-being.”

Sanna Nieminen attended weeklysessions with Dr Chilvers when herdaughter, Sayanna Gordon, was

transferred to the unit from her localhospital.

Sayanna was born four months earlyweighing just 1lb 6oz. She spent a monthon life support, suffered kidney failure,underwent an operation to repair a herniaand received 13 bloodtransfusions while atEvelina London.

Sanna, from AbbeyWood in south eastLondon, said: “Beforemeeting Rebecca I feltcompletely lost but havingsomeone there to confidein, who understood what Iwas going through and who didn’t judgeme, meant I had one less thing to worryabout.

“She saved me in my lowest andweakest months and she saved mymarriage.”

The neonatal unit has also introduced alibrary so parents can read to their babies,

which can help them to bond.The library is run by volunteer Loveday

Langton, who visits the wards each weekwith a trolley full of books for families toborrow.

There are more than 100 on offer,including picture books, youngadult fiction and books in 17different languages.

Mark and MichelleO’Sullivan, from Sutton insouth London, have enjoyedreading to their son, Patrick.

He was admitted to theneonatal unit with breathingproblems when he was just a

few weeks old.Michelle, 33, said: “It’s a really nice way of

bonding with Patrick. It seems to comfortand soothe him and I think it’s helped him torecognise our voices.

“We didn’t have any books with us whenwe arrived so it’s great to have access tosuch a varied selection on the ward.”

Care from the heart 

“She saved me inmy lowest andweakest monthsand she savedmy marriage.”

Sanna Nieminen with her daughter Sayanna

Loveday Langton, volunteer

IN FOCUS

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 9

Since the library launched a year agomore than 1,000 books have beenborrowed.

Loveday said: “Research shows thatreading to babies in the neonatal unit is verybeneficial for their wellbeing and aids theirbrain development.

“It’s also extremely beneficial to parents,who can feel stressed, anxious and helplesswhen their babies are admitted to the unit.

“Reading is a meaningful way ofsupporting their babies and can help toreduce stress and aid bonding.

“It also gives other family members agreat way of providing support – we’ve hadgrandparents and even younger siblingsborrow books.”

Keeping familiesconnectedA new video messaging app has been launched inthe neonatal unit, allowing parents to see how theirbaby is doing when they can’t be by their side.

Staff can provide reassurance by sending shortvideo updates securely using the vCreate app. Theservice is free for parents to use thanks to supportfrom Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.

Mark and Michelle used the app while their son,Patrick, was being cared for on the neonatal unit.

Mark, 33, said: “It’s a really great way of beingwith your baby when you can’t be there. It enablesthe team to capture the special moments so youdon't feel as if you’re missing out, and it’s great thatyou can keep the videos so you have thememories."

Elaine Wood, neonatal sister at Evelina London,said: “It’s not always possible for parents to staywith their babies all the time, which we know cancause a lot of anxiety and stress.

“The app helps parents to feel closelyconnected to their babies and can reduce anxietyeven when they are separated by distance. It wasused a lot over the Christmas period, which can bean especially difficult time for families.”

Elaine Wood with the vCreate app

Mark and Michelle O’Sullivan with their son Patrick

Evelina London’s

neonatal unit

cares for more

than 1,000

babies a year,

and has some of

the best survival

rates in the UK.

10 the GiST

IN FOCUS

Kelly Cook meets someof the reservists workingat the Trust who give uptheir time to support theArmed Forces.

Louise Dewsbury was a nurse for more than 30 yearsbefore she decided to put her medical expertise tothe test and join the Armed Forces Reserves.

She is one of at least eight reservists workingacross Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Evelina LondonChildren’s Hospital, who give up their spare time totrain and serve alongside the Regular Forces both athome and overseas.

Louise is a lead nurse in the paediatric intensivecare unit at Evelina London, and a British ArmyReserve Captain with 306 Hospital SupportRegiment.

The 55-year-old has been on several internationalmilitary exercises with the reserves and has picked upadditional clinical and leadership skills.

Louise said: “These skills have proved verybeneficial in each of my roles, with the NHS and theMinistry of Defence – both strengthening my corevalues and actions as a leader, and in ensuring that aconsistent and disciplined high standard of care isgiven to our patients within the resources available.”

Kate Heslop is a newly qualifiednurse on Savannah ward at EvelinaLondon, caring for children withheart, neurological and metabolicconditions.

She has been a reservist since2012 and recently transferred to thesame regiment as Louise.

Kate, 26, said: “You receiveincredible training and excitingopportunities as a reservist,including the chance to travel andgain extra qualifications. Everythingwe learn can be transferred into ourday-to-day jobs.”

Going theextra mile

e skills andexperience they gainas reservists benefitour patientsenormously andreally help to improveour workforce.”

Louise Dewsbury, lead nurse in the paediatric intensive care unit

Kate Heslop

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 11

IN FOCUS

Kirsty Catchpole is an emergencynurse practitioner at St Thomas’Hospital and a British Army ReserveCaptain with 256 City of LondonField Hospital.

She said: “My parents were bothin the Royal Navy so joining theforces was always something thatwas burning at the back of my mind.

“The training at Sandhurst wascertainly character building, butworking in A&E for 20 yearsprepared me for the demands of thecourse and the reservist role.”

The 46-year-old added: “Althoughit’s really hard work when you’reaway training, you come back quiterefreshed having done somethingdifferent, and bring back thatmotivation and enthusiasm to yourworkplace.”

What is the ArmedForces Covenant? Guy’s and St Thomas’ is accredited as a VeteranAware trust and has signed the Armed ForcesCovenant. It represents a promise by the nationthat those who serve or have served, and theirfamilies, are treated fairly and are notdisadvantaged in accessing services.

A veteran is someone who has served for atleast one day in the Armed Forces, which includesreservists.

Professor David Gradwell is an aviationmedicine consultant at Guy’s and St Thomas’who served in the Royal Air Force as a Regular for29 years.

Professor Gradwell, the Trust’s clinicalchampion for the Veteran Aware programme,said: “The Armed Forces Covenant demonstratesto veterans that if they are prepared to make acommitment to the Armed Forces then we wantto make sure that’s recognised.”

Kirsty Catchpole Fast facts

• There are around 5,000 medical reservistsworking in the NHS across the UK

• Guy’s and St Thomas’ received a SilverAward from the Ministry of Defence’s EmployerRecognition Scheme

• The Trust helps ex-servicemen and women findemployment in the NHS through the Step intoHealth programme

Dr Carys Phillips

Kayleigh Pierce

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Dr Carys Phillips is an emergencymedicine trainee at St Thomas’Hospital and a British Army ReserveCaptain in the Royal Army MedicalCorps, also based at 256 City ofLondon Field Hospital.

The 28-year-old said: “One of themost interesting things about joiningthe reserves is getting to interactwith a mix of people. It opens youreyes to different environments andteaches you to keep going whenthings get tough.

“I also like that there areopportunities to combine medicinewith travelling and sport.”

Dame Eileen Sills, Chief Nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “We are incredibly proud ofour staff who go the extra mile by giving up theirtime to support our Armed Forces. The skillsand experience they gain as reservists benefitour patients enormously and really help toimprove our workforce.”

Drew Jeacock, Head of Engagement for theGreater London Reserve Forces' and Cadets'Association, said: “I am always humbled by ourwonderful NHS professionals who also playsuch an integral part in supporting our armedforces community. The NHS’ commitment tosupporting reservists in the workplace is anexample for others to follow.”

Kayleigh Pierce is a practicedevelopment nurse in thecommunity, and has been a Royal AirForce Reserve Corporal with 4626Aeromedical Evacuation Squadronfor the last eight years.

The 34-year-old, who has workedat the Trust for 10 years, said: “If youwant a challenge without changingjobs or careers, then becoming areserve is a good way to get thatextra experience and to test yourself.Guy’s and St Thomas’ is verysupportive of staff who join thereserves.”

12 the GiST

IN FOCUS

Joining upthe dots

When David Finlay, 75, started havingpains in both hips and his shoulder, amagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scan revealed that he needed a doublehip replacement.

With the hip operation due to takeplace at Guy’s Hospital, it soon becameclear that his shoulder problem could beresolved closer to home with supportfrom the Trust’s physiotherapists.

The new service is available forpeople with musculoskeletal problems,which is pain that affects joints, bones,tendons and muscles. Patients areassessed at their GP surgery without

the need for a GP appointment orreferral to hospital.

David, from Bermondsey in southeast London, said: “The biggest pluswas that I saw the physiotherapist fromGuy’s and St Thomas’ within a week atmy GP surgery in Old Jamaica Road.

“She examined me to see if I couldraise my hands above my shoulder. Ihave taken her advice and been shownexercises to do at home to strengthenthe muscles around my shoulder.”

Rashida Pickford, a consultantphysiotherapist at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “Patients see anexpert who is part of their GP team. Wewant to transform care so they get theright help and advice early on.

“Using our expertise where it’s neededhas the potential to free-up the GP’stime, could mean that medications,such as pain killers, are prescribed lessoften and people are referred to hospitalonly when needed.”

Planning ahead

Doris Spiller has several health issuesincluding problems with her kidneys,diabetes, high blood pressure,osteoporosis and bouts of anaemia.

The 91-year-old is one of 120 peopletaking part in a unique new service thathelps older people stay at home forlonger, avoid unnecessary hospitalappointments and make early decisionsabout their care.

The pilot scheme was recentlyextended thanks to support from Guy’sand St Thomas’ Charity.

Doris said: “I think it’s a really goodidea. They took the time to explaineverything to me. It’s nice not having togo to hospital but I do miss seeingeveryone there.”

Dr Dan Furmedge, a consultant ingeriatric medicine at Guy’s and St Thomas’, and Dr Raj Mitra, a GP at theLambeth Walk Group Practice,

Maxine Hoeksmafinds out how two newprojects are helpingpatients get the rightcare, in the right place,at the right time.

David Finlay with physiotherapists Sarah Frieland Rashida Pickford

Doris Spiller with Danny Catania and Dr Raj Mitra

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 13

What isintegrated care?

Dr Mark Kinirons

In south east London, health and careorganisations and councils are workingtogether to join up treatment andsupport for local people.

One example of this is the LocalCare Record, which makes it easier forcare professionals to shareinformation and view a patient’smedications, previous treatments, testresults and other relevant careinformation when needed.

Dr Mark Kinirons, Medical Directorfor Integrated Care at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “We are joining upsome of our services so that more ofthe care we provide for patients isnearer to home. This brings us closerto GPs and also allows us to work moreclosely with King’s College Hospital.

“Working together in this way mayhelp patients avoid being admitted tohospital unnecessarily, or supportthem to return home from hospitalmore quickly than before.”

introduced the initiative last year withthe Trust’s @home service.

They work with Danny Catania, afrailty nurse with the @home team, toidentify patients whoare frail with severallong-term conditions.

Together they decidewhich patients couldbenefit from an in-depth assessment of their medical,psychological andsocial situation.

Danny said: "We are proactive, seeingpatients in their own home and getting acare plan in place before they reachcrisis point or end up in the emergencydepartment.

“We talk about cutting outunnecessary medications – perhapsthey have too many hospitalappointments and would be better offbeing seen in the community, or going

to see a specialist at the hospital. “It's not only about assessing

patients right now, but putting plansin place so everyone knows what they

want to happen longerterm."

Dr Mitra, added: "It'sabout speaking topatients as an equalpartner and makingshared decisions.

“We find out what’simportant to them, suchas whether they want to

have more scans and blood tests, or ifthey would prefer to keep out ofhospital and only come in when theyreally have to.

“That's how we can improve thequality of our patients’ lives and makebetter use of our services.”

IN FOCUS

“It’s about speakingto patients as anequal partner andmaking shareddecisions.”

14 the GiST

Taking the lead on mental health

Joe Parry meets Caroline Sweeney to findout why Guy’s and St Thomas’ is puttingmental health at the forefront of our care.

THEINTERVIEW

QWhat does your role involve? 

My role is the first of its kind at the Trust,focusing on improving the mental healthof our patients and needs of our staff. I ampassionate about challenging mentalhealth stigma, and in this role I have theopportunity to influence decision-makingand drive culture change across theorganisation.

Day-to-day I provide support to teamsand to patients with complex healthissues, for example someone may beexperiencing a mental health crisis. I alsowork to improve the care provided to all ofour patients with mental healthconditions.

QWhy is mental health animportant issue?   

Good mental health has a positive impacton every aspect of our lives and our overallwellbeing. It is essential that we supportand encourage everyone to look after theirmental health, as much as we would theirphysical health – and everyone has a roleto play in this. We know that when we treatmental and physical health together,people are better able to manage theirconditions properly and their outcomesand experience of care also improve.

QWhat causes poor mental health? 

Mental health can be affected by manythings, including trauma and difficult life

experiences, stigma, problems withrelationships and social issues. But poorphysical health can also play a big role. It is estimated that 30% of people withlong-term physical health issues, such asdiabetes, arthritis or heart problems,also have a mental health condition.Many of these are preventable, andalmost all are treatable, so people caneither fully recover or manage theirconditions successfully and live healthyand happy lives.

QTell us about the Trust’s plans 

We launched our three year mental healthstrategy on World Mental Health Day lastyear. We worked with patient and carerrepresentatives, social services, localmental health trusts, local charities andspecial interest groups to make sure thatthe strategy represented the viewsof everyone. The fantastic input wereceived meant that we could make sureour priorities really are the things thatmatter to our patients, carers and staff.

QHow is the Trust doing its bit to reduce stigma? 

Over the next three years, we aim toachieve a culture change across ourorganisation. We want to ensure that allstigma and discrimination related tomental health is challenged, and our staffare skilled and confident to understandthe needs of their patients and

themselves. We are encouraging our staffto embrace conversations about mentalhealth and wellbeing.

QHow is the Trust working with local partners?

We work closely with the Mind & Bodyteam from King’s Health Partners whodeliver a number of innovative projectsfocussed on addressing both physical andmental health. We also work with SouthLondon and Maudsley NHS FoundationTrust, who provide our mental healthliaison services and make sure thatpatients receive timely mental healthtreatment and support.

QHow does the Trust support staff?

The Trust has support available to staffthrough the ‘Showing we care about you’programme, as well as the great work ofour occupational health and workforceteams. There are a number of servicesavailable, including Care First, anaccessible, independent and confidentialservice to support staff. Our happier@workprogramme also offers free courses andworkshops to help with stressmanagement, mindfulness and mentalhealth awareness.

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 15

“It is essential that wesupport andencourage everyoneto look after theirmental health, asmuch as we wouldtheir physical health.”

Caroline Sweeney, lead for mental health

16 the GiST

Hundreds of people living with a bloodclotting disorder could benefit from anew gene therapy.

Haemophilia is a rare condition thataffects the blood's ability to clot, whichmeans patients are at riskof excessive bleeding fromeven the slightest injury aswell as spontaneousbleeding around their joints.

Around 2,000 people inthe UK suffer fromhaemophilia A where theydon’t produce a key clottingprotein called factor VIII.

These patients have to betreated with factor VIII injections at leastthree times a week.

A new gene therapy for haemophilia Ahas been tested at several hospitals,including Guy’s and St Thomas’.

It involves injecting a modified virusinto the patient’s blood, which should helpthem to produce their own factor VIII.

Results from the four year trial,involving 13 patients, were recentlypublished in the New England Journal ofMedicine.

Experts hope the treatment could leadto fewer bleeds and reduce how often

patients need to come to hospital.Dr Bella Madan, a consultant

haematologist at Guy’sand St Thomas’, said:“The trial has beenextremely successful andbeyond our wildestdreams.”

Shaun Busby was oneof the first patients totake part in the trial atGuy’s andSt Thomas’.

The 33 year-old said:“Living with haemophilia isvery difficult because youare forever in and out ofhospital clinics andattending appointments.

“As a child I lost timefrom school despite tryingmy best not to. During myadult life I have had severe problems withmy knee and have needed a kneereplacement due to recurrent bleeds.”

Shaun, from Tooting in south London,added: “I feel more alive after the trial

Simon Ellery speaks to anengineer about how apioneering clinical trial haschanged his life.

THE LEADINGEDGE

and it has had a huge impact on myquality of life. I can also go away onholidays and go to music festivals withoutworrying too much about joint bleeds.

“I have to pinch myself all the time –four years ago I was struggling, havingbleeds and worrying about painmedication and factor VIII injections.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’ is currentlyconducting further tests on safety andeffectiveness of the new treatment.

Dr Madan said:“Shaun’s life has beentransformed remarkablysince receiving a singleinfusion of gene therapy inFebruary 2016.

“He rarely has bleedsand copes well with a veryphysically demanding jobas an engineer. He is nolonger dependent on the

injections three times a week, and nowneeds factor VIII injections onlyoccasionally.”

“It has beenextremelysuccessful andbeyond ourwildest dreams.”

Gene therapybreakthrough

“I feel more aliveafter the trialand it has had ahuge impact onmy quality oflife.”

Shaun Busby

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 17

Reva Malvankar’s life was saved after receivingintensive care treatmentat Evelina LondonChildren’s Hospital.Nzinga Cotton finds out more.

“Reva was born nine weeks early but she didn’t have anyserious medical problems, and after spending six weeks inthe neonatal ward at our local hospital we were dischargedhome.

A few weeks later she developed a respiratory infection. At first she didn’t seem to be in any major discomfort but hertemperature was very low. She then started to become veryfloppy so we took her to our local A&E.

Her condition continued to deteriorate so after a couple ofhours she was transferred to St George’s Hospital. But aftersix days there was still no change in her condition.

We were told that the respiratory infection was stoppingher lungs from working properly and her life was in seriousdanger. We couldn’t bear the thought of losing Reva. We werecompletely broken.

After she was transferred to Evelina London, doctorsexplained that Reva would need a special type of ECMObecause of her small weight, and that it was her only option. It was extremely distressing seeing her tiny body hooked upto such a big machine.

After 10 days on ECMO her condition started to improve.Gradually the team reduced the amount of support her lungswere getting from the machine.

It was a very special moment when she eventually came offECMO. Reva wouldn’t be alive today without it. I’m eternallygrateful to Evelina London for the care she received.”

Reva with Dr Jon Lillie and ECMO nurses from the paediatric intensive care unit

The patient’s mum Parnika Bhor“Reva was transferred to Evelina London’s paediatric intensivecare unit after she became seriously unwell with a chestinfection.

In a last effort to save her life she received a special type ofintensive care treatment called Extracorporeal MembraneOxygenation (ECMO).

It continuously takes blood from the body, adds oxygen,removes carbon dioxide and then returns it to the body.

Due to her very small weight, Reva received a special type ofECMO for the lungs, where blood is taken from one part of thebody and returned to another part of the body.

The standard procedure, where blood is taken from andreturned to the same site, is designed for bigger babies andadults and our team believes it has a higher risk of seriouscomplications in smaller babies.

At the time of the treatment Reva weighed just 4Ib 10ozmaking her the smallest baby in the UK to receive ECMO forthe lungs.

We are unique in being able to offer this type of treatmentto very small babies. Until now it hadn’t been attempted in theUK before as it was assumed that is wasn’t possible.

At Evelina London we are very fortunate to have teams whoare able to provide pioneering treatment like this.

Placing a baby on ECMO is very challenging and requireslots of support from our doctors, surgeons, nurses, therapistsand perfusion team. Without it, Reva wouldn’t have survived.”

MY STORY

Bornsurvivor  

The consultant Dr Jon Lillie

18 the GiST

TRUST LIFE

9:00am – The first patient I see is a little nervous about their scan so I

reassure them that it’s quick, painless andgenerally safe. It can take between fiveand 25 minutes to complete, whichincludes preparation time. CT scannersare designed to make sure you're notexposed to unnecessarily high levels ofradiation. I operate the scanner from thenext room, but I can hear and speak to thepatient through an intercom.

12:00pm – One of the wards refers a patient for a CT angiogram as he

has peripheral vascular disease, which is ablood circulation disorder. He’s injectedwith a special dye called a contrast to helpimprove the quality of the images andallows us to see the blood flow from hisheart to his toes and look for anyblockages.

Over the last decade, advances inmedical imaging technology have had ahuge impact on care for patients.

More detailed scans can provide earlyand more accurate diagnoses and, insome cases, might even lead to betterand more successful treatment.

I am one of 109 radiographers in theradiology team who rotate between theemergency department (A&E), X-ray andinterventional radiology, although most ofmy time is spent in CT.

A CT, or computed tomography, scanuses X-rays and a computer to createdetailed pictures of the inside of thebody, including a patient’s internalorgans, blood vessels and bones.

These scans can be used to helpdiagnose many conditions, such asproblems with blood flow and injuries tointernal organs.

The scans can also help determine thelocation, size and shape of a tumour so a

doctor can then decide whether furthertests are needed, can plan treatment orcheck how well a treatment is working.

Each day we perform more than 200CT scans across Guy’s and St Thomas’,which includes patients on the wards andyoung people being cared for at EvelinaLondon Children’s Hospital. Our mainworkload is an outpatient clinic with anappointment every 15 minutes.

8:00am – The first thing I do is set up the CT scanner and get ready for the

day ahead, which involves running aquality check to make sure the machine issafe and effective. We’ve got four CTscanners at St Thomas’ Hospital,including one in the emergencydepartment. There are also four at Guy’sHospital, which includes the CancerCentre.

Guy’s and St Thomas’has some of the best CTscanners in the countryand is leading the way inspecialist scanning.Kelly Cook meetssenior radiographer,Thomas Doherty, to findout more.

Thomas Doherty, senior radiographer

Imaging experts

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 19

FUNDRAISING

2:00pm – A patient in our outpatient clinic has arrived for a specialist CT scan as he has

been experiencing chest pain and dizziness. Hehas a family history of coronary artery disease sowe want to rule that out by looking at the bloodvessels in his heart.

4:00pm – We’ve received an emergency referral from a cardiologist at Evelina London

to scan a one day old baby who has hypoplasticleft heart syndrome, which is a rare inheritedheart defect where the left side of the heart isseverely underdeveloped. The scan provides thecardiologist with details of the baby’s bloodvessels.

6:00pm – We finish the day by scanning any infectious patients so that the rooms can be

deep cleaned if needed. I make sure the room isrestocked and handover to the out of hours team.

Thomas Doherty prepares a patient for a CT scan

Thomas Doherty explains how the CT scan works

Why I fundraise

Sue Smith takes on the St Thomas’ Abseil

A grandmother marked 60 years sincebecoming a nurse by abseiling 160 feet downthe front of St Thomas’ Hospital.

Sue Smith, from Hammersmith in westLondon, took on the 2019 St Thomas’ Abseil toraise money for Evelina London Children’sHospital, where she volunteers as an honorarychaplain.

The 78-year-old said: “The abseil itself, andthe enthusiastic fundraising support I receivedfrom so many people, was one of the mostexhilarating experiences of my life.

“The sight of friends and family coming tosupport me was inspiring. Getting to thebottom and seeing the pride on my son's faceas he greeted me, still moves me to tears.

“My kids know how much Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Evelina London mean to me,so they were there and cheering me on – atime I shall never forget.”

Sue began training to be a nurse in 1959,inspired by her aunt who began her career innursing at Guy’s Hospital in 1940.

St Thomas’ Abseil is an annual event thatraises vital funds for Guy’s and St Thomas’and Evelina London. This year’s event is set totake place on Friday 5 June.

To sign up visit www.supportgstt.org.uk

TRUST LIFE

From thefrontline

Behind the scenes

Q What do you do?

A I clean different service areas. Right now I’m working in the

Clinical Decisions Unit but I cleananywhere, from the chapel to the RareDiseases Centre. I clear all of the rubbishaway, clean the bathrooms, mop thefloors, and clean the windows. Often thetasks I do are the same, but every day isdifferent because of the people I workwith and the patients I’m supporting.I’ve been with the Trust for nine yearsand it’s my favourite place out ofeverywhere I’ve worked – I was with MI5and the Ministry of Defence before.

Q Why is it important?  

A A clean environment helps to prevent infections spreading and

creates a better atmosphere forpatients and staff. When you do

something good for other people,you’re proud of yourself and theorganisation that you work for.

Q What’s your favourite part of the role?

A I love training colleagues. I know the job so well and I love to

share that knowledge. I like being partof a team and knowing we can all relyon one another. The Clinical DecisionsUnit can be busy and hard work, but Ialways look forward to coming inbecause the teams I work with are soinspiring. Sometimes patients have noone to talk to at home, so it’s reallynice to have a chat with them.

Q What are you proud of? 

A If someone has to tell me to clean or clear something, it’s

already too late. I like to do my job

before anyone can even noticesomething needs doing – I reallytake pride in that. We all have aresponsibility to make theenvironment the best it can be forthe patients.

I’ve achieved employee of themonth from HR twice, and have alsowon a housekeeping employee ofthe month badge.

Lounja BouikhsaineLambeth stroke care advisor

Dickson Attah housekeeping assistant

People who survive a stroke may needmore help once they leave hospital,even after a period of intensivetherapy and rehabilitation.

I work in Guy’s and St Thomas’community stroke therapy team andact as a bridge between socialservices, other health professionalsand charities, like The StrokeAssociation, so that our patients getthe ongoing support they need.

When patients recover from astroke they may be left with physicalimpairments and have problems withmemory or communication.

Sometimes people are unaware ofa patient’s condition and may assumethey have a learning disability.

My job is to help patients andcarers so they can deal with issueslike these. I provide support andadvice on getting benefits or help with

transport and housing.A patient may be struggling to get

out and about for example, so I helpthem complete the relevant forms orrefer them to services, networks andcharities in the community who canmake a big difference.

There is an element of emotionalsupport in my role too, especially whenpatients feel apprehensive aboutleaving the house after their stroke.

Once a month I organise a socialgroup where patients get to meet otherstroke survivors in Lambeth.

We talk about practical topics likehow to deal with finances, and patientslisten to guest speakers – fromdietitians to pharmacists.

I introduce people to groups likeStroke Odysseys – who provide danceand drama workshops – and activitieslike using adapted bikes. It can makelife after stroke easier, brighter or just alittle bit different.

20 the GiST

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 21

The fear of being poisonedconsumed the public imagination inthe Victorian era.

These dark thoughts were drivenby an easily available selection of poisons,few ways to detect them andsensationalist media coverage of high-profile cases.

The pioneering work of Sir ThomasStevenson, who trained and worked atGuy's Hospital, helped establish forensictoxicology as a branch of the medicalprofession.

Born into a farming family in NorthYorkshire in 1838, Stevenson was privatelyeducated and showed early talent as achemist.

He entered Guy's Hospital MedicalSchool in 1859 and was a fine student,winning gold medals in anatomy, forensicmedicine, midwifery and organicchemistry.

Returning to Guy's as demonstrator inpractical chemistry soon after graduation,Stevenson went on to become a lecturerin chemistry before succeeding AlfredSwaine Taylor – a renowned authority andthe school's first lecturer in forensicmedicine – in 1878.

But it was his additional appointment in1872 to the newly-created role of scientificanalyst to the Home Office – laterbecoming senior scientific advisor – thatsaw him involved as an expert prosecutionwitness in the most notorious poisoningtrials of the day.

These included the Pimlico Mystery,

where Adelaide Bartlett was acquitted ofmurdering her wealthy grocer husband,Edwin, with chloroform.

Stevenson tested the contents ofEdwin's stomach, which had beendelivered to him at Guy's in jars, toconfirm chloroform as the only poisonpresent, but was of the opinion this couldonly have been self-administered.

Stevenson's testimony also helpedconvict serial killer Dr Thomas NeillCream, known as the Lambeth Poisoner,as well as the Borough Poisoner, GeorgeChapman, who murdered three of hismistresses with the chemical antimony,and was suspected by some of being Jackthe Ripper.

Solidly built with a long grey beard,Stevenson was an excellentcommunicator. Always well prepared forcross-examination, he was able to explaintechnical detail in language everyonecould understand, such as the results ofhis tests on post-mortem samples.

He married Agnes Maberly in 1867 andthey had two sons and five daughters, oneof whom became a missionary doctor inIndia.

He was knighted in 1904 and died on 27July 1908 at his home in Streatham.

HISTORYCORNER

ToxicologytodayThere are five clinicaltoxicology consultants whorun a specialist inpatientand outpatient clinicaltoxicology service at Guy’sand St Thomas’ – ProfessorPaul Dargan, Dr David Wood,Dr John Archer, Dr LauraHunter and Dr MatthewBlundell.

Professor Paul Dargansaid: “Clinical toxicology haschanged significantly sincethe days of Sir ThomasStevenson but remains astrong specialty at Guy’sand St Thomas’.

“In contrast tochloroform and heavymetals which were poisonsof interest in Stevenson’sday, clinical toxicologytoday largely involves themanagement of patientswith overdose ofpharmaceutical medicines,or toxicity related to the useof illicit or recreationaldrugs and new psychoactivesubstances.”

Sir ThomasStevenson 1899

Professor Paul Dargan

No doubtingomas

Graeme Mair takes a look back at the career of a Guy’s Hospital toxicologist and an expert witness.

(pictu

re courtesy of th

e Wellcom

e Collection

)

There are 32 governors who help to makeGuy’s and St Thomas’ a successful NHSfoundation trust by making sure we meetthe needs and expectations of ourpatients.

The Council of Governors is made up ofeight patient, eight public, six staff andnine stakeholder governors.

Together, they represent the interests ofour members and partner organisationsand provide advice and support to theBoard of Directors, which is responsible forthe overall management of the Trust.

John Knight has used the services runby Guy’s and St Thomas’ for many years,and last year he decided to become apatient governor.

He brings plenty of relevant experienceto the role, having previously worked forthe Department of Health, Commissionerfor Public Appointments, and the charityLeonard Cheshire Disability.

He was also a governor at UniversityCollege London Hospitals for six yearswhere he chaired the Nominations andRemuneration Committee.

John said: “Becoming a governor is avery good way of contributing to the NHSat a level that suits me. I have a lot to giveand considerable committee andrecruitment experience.

“I chose to become a governor at Guy’sand St Thomas’ because of the remarkableculture that has been fostered here. I sense that people genuinely care, you cansee it in their faces.”

John has benefited from the Trust’sBowley Close Rehabilitation Centre inCrystal Palace, which brings together

experts in amputee rehabilitation,prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchair andspecialist seating and assistivecommunication services.

He said: “The staff at the centre areunsung heroes, they transform lives in apractical and dignified way.

“The centre is a one-stop shop whichmeans you don’t have to go to lots ofdifferent places for support. The teamswork together to give people independence,and the fact I’m here and able to get aroundon my own is down to them.”

John added: “I am a keen advocate ofinclusion being central to everything we doand strengthening integrated care todeliver high quality care services to allpatients, wherever they are and whatevertheir needs. I look forward to working withpatients, staff and volunteers to achievethis.”

Meet thegovernorJohn Knight explains how being under the care of Guy’s and St Thomas’ hashelped him to gain physicalindependence and develophis role as a patientgovernor.

FOUNDATIONTRUST LIFE

John Knight

To become a member call 0800 731 0319, emailmembers@gstt.nhs.uk or visitwww.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/membership

The governors are your electedrepresentatives and are keen to hearyour views. If you have a question,comment or idea please emailgovernors@gstt.nhs.uk or call 020 7188 7346.

To read the governor newsletter,Listening line, visitwww.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/governors

“I sense thatpeoplegenuinely care,you can see it in their faces.”

22 the GiST

Raise money for your hospitalsand community services

For all the latest news about our amazing fundraisers and how you can support Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Evelina London,

follow @SupportGSTT and like facebook.com/SupportGSTT

and facebook.com/SupportEvelina

TRUST LIFE

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk 23

We have a pair of tickets to a film of your choice at theBFI Southbank. To be in with a chance of winning, simplycomplete the wordsearch below.

Name

Address

Telephone

Email

Send your entry by 17 April 2020 to the GiST competition,Communications Department, 4th floor, Staircase C, SouthWing, St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7EH;or you can email communications@gstt.nhs.uk.

The winners will be selected at random and notified within seven days of thedraw. The result will be final and we will not enter into any correspondenceregarding the competition winners. The prize is non-transferable.

Your name and details will be collected solely for the purposes of thiscompetition and in order to be able to contact the winner and send themthe prize. By entering this competition, you give your consent for us to usethe data you provide in this way.

1/15/29 April Friends of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals book sale 10am–3pm Birdsong Corridor, St Thomas’ Hospital

7 April World Health Day

22 April Joint Board of Directors and Council of GovernorsMeeting 3.45–7.30pm, Robens Suite, Guy’s Hospital

26 April London Marathon

13/27 May Friends of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals book sale 10am–3pm Birdsong Corridor, St Thomas’ Hospital

18-24 May Mental Health Awareness Week Visit mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns

What’s OnFree public tours (weekly event) Mon-Fri 3.30pm, Sat andbank holidays 12.30pm, Sun 12.30pm and 3.30pmFlorence Nightingale MuseumCall 020 7188 4400 or visitflorence-nightingale.co.uk

11 March No Smoking Day

18 March Friends of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals book sale 10am–3pm Birdsong Corridor,St Thomas’ Hospital

26 March Event: Comedians talkabout their feelings (withCountry Mile Comedy Club)6–9pm Royal College ofNursing Library and HeritageCentre, W1G 0RN Tickets £11 (funds donated to the RCN Foundation) Call 03453 373368 or email rcn.library@rcn.org.uk

C S T O R R A C G A Z E

N H P O P C O R N F T G

I C E C R E A M A Q J Z

R O B E R T T V Y Q U O

D A L A S T I U R F P W

Q B L H I E E L P P A G

L Y D N N U B D L S N K

I R N O K G A U R A C X

M E V J G A K U R E A F

F L M O R B S K L G K G

P E A N U T B U T T E R

A C A P Y N A C H O S R

applebaguettecarrots

celerycheeseburgerfruitsalad

Free film screenings:

MediCinema (gsttmedicinema@medicinema.org.uk) showsthe latest releases for patients and staffGuy’s Tuesdays, 1.30pm and Thursdays, 7pm St Thomas’ Saturdays, 7pm and Tuesdays, 7.30pmEvelina London screenings on Wednesdays, 6.30pm

Free lunchtime concerts:

Mondays 1 – 2pm, Central Hall, St Thomas’Wednesdays 1 – 2pm, Atrium 1, Guy’sThe Performing Arts Programme is delivered by Breathe ArtsHealth Research and made possible with support from Guy’sand St Thomas’ Charity

icecreamnachospancakes

peanutbutterpopcorn

Competition

Friday 5 June 2020St Thomas’ Hospital

Register now: www.abseil2020.orgGuy’s and St Thomas’ Charity Registered Charity No. 1160316

ST THOMAS’ ABSEILBe a hero and give back to your incredible hospital