20 June 2008
The Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley MP and the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Sutton and Cheam constituency, Philippa Stroud, toured St Helier Hospital recently to find out more about the work of the Trust and to meet with patients and staff. During their two hour long visit, they spent time in the hospital's Accident and Emergency department, renal unit and met some of the many volunteers who generously give their time to the St Helier League of Friends.
Mr Lansley and Ms Stroud spoke to several patients about their experiences of the hospital, as well as frontline staff who deliver services. They were also taken to the South West Thames Institute for Renal Research - one of only three institutes in the UK dedicated to research into kidney disease and the education and training of professionals working in renal medicine.
Samantha Jones, Chief Executive, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "I am delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome Mr Lansley and Ms Stroud to St Helier Hospital. Both of them were very interested to learn more about the work we are doing to further improve the care we give to our patients, including the measures we have introduced to help cut the number of infections we have in our hospitals, including MRSA. Recent figures show that we have made significant improvements, with a 46% decrease in the number of cases of MRSA (bacteraemias) between October and December 2007 compared to previous quarter."
Ms Jones added: "I was also very pleased to be able to introduce them to many of our hard working staff and volunteers who work tirelessly for the benefit of our patients."
Philippa Stroud said: "It is really encouraging to see at first hand the Trust's commitment to establishing excellence in all areas including hospital hygiene. Real progress is being made."
