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October 2010

See how we spend your money – local hospitals open the books In a drive towards even greater openness, Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals are to begin regularly publishing how they spend money, where they spend it, and on what. 29 October 2010
St Helier invests £1.4 million in 'life saving' endoscopy unit The endoscopy team (who examine patients' digestive and respiratory systems using miniscule cameras) at St Helier Hospital are celebrating a £1.4 million cash boost. The new investment, which has been funded by the Trust's annual capital programme, means that more patients will be able to get the treatment they need, faster than ever before. 27 October 2010
Experts urge 'at risk' people and pregnant women to have free flu jab For most people, getting the flu is unpleasant, but not serious and they recover within about a week. However, for some people, getting the flu can lead to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia. In addition, it is estimated that there are 8,000 flu-related deaths in the winter months in England and Wales - some of which could be avoided by vaccination. 26 October 2010
Don't let explosive fun get out of hand The A&E teams at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are urging local residents to take extra care with fireworks this Guy Fawkes' night. Around this time every year, the Trust sees an increase in the number of people attending its A&E departments as a direct result of accidents caused by fireworks and bonfires, including children who are injured by sparklers. 26 October 2010
Leading cancer nurse backs new iPhone app One in nine women in the UK will get breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. As with all cancers, the earlier the condition is found, the better the chance of beating it. That's why a leading cancer nurse at Epsom and St Helier hospitals is supporting a new iPhone application (app) that encourages women to check their breasts regularly. 22 October 2010
Tempted to become a member of the Board? Local people interested in helping to run one of the largest multi-million pound organisations in the area are being given a unique opportunity to find out more. As one of the Trust's non-executive directors leaves the organisation to move overseas, an informal open evening has been arranged at Epsom Hospital for people who may be interested in the vacancy. 22 October 2010
£219 million St Helier redevelopment gets Chancellor's backing Trust plans to spend £219 million redeveloping St Helier Hospital were given a massive boost today (20 October 2010) as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon George Osborne MP, reconfirmed that the Government would be funding the £219 million scheme. 20 October 2010
Get the right NHS care, faster, this winter As winter gets closer, hospitals up and down the country see more and more people coming through the doors of their accident and emergency (A&E) departments because of accidents in the icy conditions and seasonal illnesses. Whilst most people using A&E genuinely need its services and are suffering a life threatening or real emergency to their health, there are also people who come because they are feeling mildly unwell. 20 October 2010
New maternity assessment unit provides more responsive care for mothers-to-be A brand new maternity assessment unit which offers advice, support and monitoring for mothers-to-be, and in particular women with complicated pregnancies and conditions such as diabetes and a history of miscarriages, has opened at Epsom Hospital. The unit, which costs almost £100,000 a year to run, is more responsive to the needs of mothers-to-be by providing a same-day service for them to see a midwife. 19 October 2010
Have your say on the future of the NHS As you may know, the Government is planning significant changes to the NHS. As such, they recently published a White Paper, 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS', outlining their proposals. A White Paper is a Parliamentary paper which explains Government policy. In them, Governments set out their proposed actions and signify their intentions to pass new laws. 19 October 2010
Tea party celebrates hospital volunteers A tea party to celebrate and thank the 428 volunteers who regularly give up their time to support Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals was held at Epsom Racecourse recently. Every hospital volunteer was invited by the Trust to the annual event, which took place in the prestigious Queen's Stand at the racecourse. 19 October 2010
Centre of Pain Education helping patients to COPE New figures show that the Trust's Centre of Pain Education (COPE) is significantly improving the way people who suffer from chronic pain are able to deal with their condition. And, on average, patients are reporting a 14% decrease in the amount of pain they suffered before and after using COPE's services. 18 October 2010
Hospitals' top nurse backs Global Handwashing Day The most senior nurse at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals is backing the Global Handwashing Day tomorrow (Friday 15 October) and calling on local people to remember the role they have to play in helping to reduce the spread of infections. Starting in 2008, Global Handwashing Day reinforces the importance of good hand hygiene, and focuses on the need for people to wash their hands with soap throughout the day. 14 October 2010
MP opens new renal dialysis centre in Purley Dozens of patients, carers and staff gathered in Purley last Wednesday (6 October) to watch Richard Ottaway, MP for Croydon South officially open a brand new renal dialysis unit. The unit, which is on Brighton Road, means that patients with renal (kidney) disease will no longer have to come into hospital to dialyse and can do it closer to their own home. 13 October 2010
Hospital staff celebrate qualifications An awards ceremony celebrating the 84 members of Trust staff who have achieved an NVQ (national vocational qualification) this year has taken place. Staff from across our hospitals, including ward sisters, nurses and other clinical and non-clinical staff were all invited to the celebration and were presented with their award by Director of Human Resources. 12 October 2010
New hospital shop is 'Absolutely Fabulous' The League of Friends shop in St Helier Hospital has been officially re-opened by 'Ab Fab' actress June Whitfield following a £65,000 refurbishment. The shop, which sells magazines, books, sandwiches, gifts and many other items, has been extended so that patients, visitors and staff can choose from a wider selection of goods. 08 October 2010
Hot off the press - annual report 2009-10 now available The official record of how well Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust performed last year has been published. The annual report, which contains detailed information about the service we provided to our patients during 2009-10, our finances and how well we did in meeting key Government standards, is available now. 08 October 2010
Alcohol related illnesses and injuries continue to soar Disturbing new figures show that the number of people admitted to Epsom and St Helier hospitals with alcohol related illnesses and injuries in the past seven years has increased by almost 145 per cent. Whether people require long-term medical treatment for chronic liver failure, or need hospital treatment in Accident & Emergency (A&E) after a drunken fall, the figures show that in 2009-10, 575 people were admitted to the hospitals because of drinking alcohol, compared to 234 in 2002-03. 05 October 2010
Top cancer nurse backs Breast Cancer Awareness Month A leading cancer nurse at Epsom and St Helier hospitals is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer this month. 01 October 2010