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Women and children's services

Baby, what a boom! Record number of babies at Epsom and St Helier The maternity units at Epsom and St Helier hospitals had their busiest 12 months ever last year, jointly welcoming an incredible 5,312 babies into the world. New figures from the units show a staggering 6% increase in the number of births at both hospitals over recent years, rising from a total of 5,002 in 2008-09 to a record high of 5,312 last year (2011-12). 26 April 2012
'Gold standard' unit officially opened after £128,000 upgrade The High Sheriff of Surrey declared the newly refurbished colposcopy unit at Leatherhead Hospital officially open last Thursday (9 March 2012), after a £128,000 donation paid for a complete refurbishment of the unit and new, cutting edge technology to be installed. 16 March 2012
Tom Brake MP sees how sick newborns are cared for at St Helier Staff caring for sick and premature babies on the neonatal unit at St Helier had a special visitor on Friday (17 February), as Tom Brake, the MP for Carshalton and Wallington, came for a tour of the unit. 24 February 2012
No need for embarrassment - Trust backs National Impotence Day Today (14 February 2012), many of us will be celebrating St Valentine's Day, but far fewer realise that the date also marks National Impotence Day. Although perhaps lacking the profile of other conditions, it is estimated that at least one in every ten men in the UK suffer from erectile dysfunction. 14 February 2012
Trust's maternity units meeting high safety standards Midwives, nurses, doctors and support staff in the maternity units at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals were celebrating last week (9 February 2012) after learning that they had achieved key safety standards in the way that they deliver care to parents-to-be. The Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts has awarded both units the level 2 standard, which indicates that patients can expect to receive a high level of care in a safe environment. 13 February 2012
Help young hearts run free with fundraising quest A consultant at Epsom Hospital has joined forces with the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund to raise £50,000 for a new piece of equipment that will help to treat children with serious heart problems. 10 February 2012
Christmas and New Year bundles of joy for parents at Epsom and St Helier hospitals Thirteen families in Surrey and southwest London celebrated the best Christmas present imaginable with the arrival of new babies born on Christmas Day 2011 at Epsom and St Helier hospitals. In addition, a further thirteen families welcomed 2012 in with their own bundles of joy on New Year's Day. 06 January 2012
Kids' stay in hospital made more bear-able by local clothes store A Christmas stay in hospital has been made that little bit more bear-able for children at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children thanks to the generosity of customers at the Sutton branch of Matalan. The store has been running an appeal whereby shoppers are asked whether they would be happy to add £5 to their bill to pay for a teddy bear for children at Queen Mary's, which is based at St Helier Hospital. 12 December 2011
Children's hospital plays host to festive fixture for Fulham FC There were wide eyes and even wider smiles on the faces of young patients on the wards of Queen Mary's Hospital for Children on Tuesday (6 December 2011) thanks to a visit by two footballers from Premiership side Fulham FC. 08 December 2011
Nomination for prestigious midwifery award makes it three in a row The team of midwives from Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals are celebrating a hat-trick as, for the third year in a row, one of their members has been shortlisted for the prestigious Royal College of Midwives Annual Midwifery Awards. 07 December 2011
Head of midwifery backs flu jab for mums-to-be The most senior midwife at the Trust is urging pregnant women to protect themselves and their unborn babies against flu this year, by having the free flu vaccine. Although for most people flu is an unpleasant but not serious illness, the affects can be devastating for those in 'at risk' groups. 05 December 2011
St Helier Hospital welcomes 1,000th baby to birth centre The new birth centre at St Helier Hospital recently reached a major milestone as it celebrated the arrival of its 1,000th baby, Erin Adele Davies, who was born on the stroke of midnight on 29 October 2011. 11 November 2011
£16,000 donation for women with difficult labour A charitable donation of £16,000 has funded a brand new, state-of-the-art piece of medical equipment at St Helier Hospital that will help to treat women who have suffered a serious perineal injury during childbirth (where the muscles around the vagina and anus are damaged). 04 November 2011
New maternity unit officially opens A new maternity assessment unit, where women can get advice and treatment if they are suffering from complications during their pregnancy, was officially opened at Epsom Hospital recently. A crowd of VIPs and staff gathered to watch as the plaque was unveiled at the new unit, which offers expectant parents a short notice, same-day service should they have any concerns or need support. 17 August 2011
Grand designs - fashion show raises £1,000 for children's ward at Epsom Hospital The organisers of a charity fashion show dropped in to Epsom Hospital recently to present the children's ward with a cheque for £1,000. The event was organised by Surrey residents Georgina Potter and Becci Devonport to raise money for Casey Ward, where Becci's son Jack has recently spent time as a patient. 16 August 2011
Healthcare assistant takes to the skies for charity A health care assistant at St Helier Hospital is preparing to leap from a plane at 10,000 feet next month, all in the name of charity. Carol Fletcher, who works in the gynaecology outpatients department (where infertility, bladder control and problems linked to the menopause are all treated), will be taking the plunge to raise money for UNICEF and the work that they're doing to battle the famine in Somalia. 12 August 2011
Safe haven for bereaved parents opens at St Helier maternity unit The efforts of staff working in St Helier Hospital's maternity unit have resulted in the opening of the 'Poppy Room', a peaceful 'safe haven' for families who have experienced a stillbirth. The Surrey branch of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Sands) also contributed £1,500 to the cause, which paid for the refurbishment and redecoration work in the room at St Helier Hospital. 01 July 2011
Nurse of steel takes on Ironman A nurse from the children's A&E department at St Helier Hospital is to take part in an 'Ironman' triathlon - an event that will see her swim for 2.4 miles, cycle for 112 miles and run a full marathon - all in less than 17 hours. Hannah Fisher, a senior staff nurse who lives in Raynes Park, will be taking on the challenge to raise funds for anti-malaria charity, Malaria No More, after she spent time volunteering with malaria sufferers in Ghana last year. 15 June 2011
Tooting and Mitcham FC make it an eggs-tra special Easter for the kids Patients on the children's ward at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children got an early Easter treat thanks to the generosity of local club Tooting and Mitcham FC. 28 April 2011
Leatherhead Friends join cancer battle with life-saving £50,000 donation Local doctors are being given a new weapon in the fight against cancer, thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Leatherhead Hospital. 26 April 2011
'Put a full stop to measles spots' says senior doctor A specialist doctor from the children's A&E department at St Helier Hospital is calling for all local parents to have their children vaccinated against measles. Following reports of measles outbreaks in Europe earlier this week, experts across the country have been encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated before going on holiday. 15 April 2011
International 'baby friendly' award for Epsom and St Helier hospitals Midwifery, obstetric, paediatric and neonatal staff at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are celebrating after the Trust successfully passed the second stage of an international scheme set up to support women breastfeed. 01 April 2011
Teenage pregnancies fall at St Helier Hospital New figures show that the number of teenagers giving birth at St Helier Hospital fell by 22 per cent last year, while the number of pregnancies in women aged 36 and over increased. 29 March 2011
Teenage pregnancies fall at Epsom Hospital New figures show that the number of teenagers giving birth at Epsom Hospital fell by 28 per cent last year, while the number of pregnancies in women aged 36 and over increased. 25 March 2011
Big Chris visited Epsom Hospital Big Chris, the mechanic from the hit TV show Roary The Racing Car, paid a visit to Epsom Hospital recently to cheer up the children on Casey ward. 01 February 2011
Newborn babies in safe hands at the Trust New figures from a national report show that premature and newborn babies born at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are receiving some of the best care in the country. The report, published by the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries, shows that the death rate of newborns delivered at our hospitals was significantly less than the national average. 18 January 2011
National survey shows mums-to-be are happy with care An authoritative survey of maternity services across the country has shown that women having babies at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals are very happy with the care they receive. 30 December 2010
12 months and 500 babies later, special birth centre celebrates birthday A crowd of new mums, young babies and midwives gathered at the birth centre at St Helier Hospital on Wednesday (3 November) to celebrate the unit's first birthday. The centre, which gives parents-to-be the chance to have their baby naturally in a relaxed, homely atmosphere, has proved to be very popular in its first year, with many of the new mums gladly returning to help celebrate the anniversary. 11 November 2010
Specialist midwife spreading the word about good work A Trust midwife who specialises in supporting obese women throughout their pregnancy has been invited to speak at the prestigious Royal College of Midwives' annual conference in Manchester later this month (16 - 17 November). Lead midwife for obesity, Zeni Koutsi will be speaking at the national event, which last year attracted more than 1,000 delegates from across the UK, about her and the teams' work. 04 November 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
Local clinic opens as sexually transmitted infections reach all time high Young people from across Sutton and Merton can access confidential, non-judgemental and impartial sexual health advice easier than ever before, thanks to a new walk-in clinic at St Helier Hospital. 15 September 2010
Children with asthma urged to take extra care Doctors at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals are urging local children and young people with asthma to take extra care over the coming month, as admissions to hospitals because of the condition jump significantly in September. In September of last year, 37 children were admitted to the Trust's hospitals because of asthma - a considerable increase from just seven in August. 08 September 2010
Midwives invite you to learn more about home births A midwife who specialises in home births at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is running special workshops so that local parents-to-be can find out more about having their baby at home. The free workshops, which are run by the Trust's home birth midwife, Maria Mills Shaw, are aimed at anyone who would like to know more about home births. 06 September 2010
Summer fete raises almost £10,000 for children and baby units The sun shone on the crowds on Saturday (24 July) as approximately 3,000 people turned up to enjoy a summer fete organised by friends and staff of Queen Mary's Hospital for Children and the neonatal unit at St Helier Hospital. The event, which took place in Sutton Arena and was opened by the deputy mayor, Councillor Sheila Andrews, was organised to raise money to buy new equipment for the children's hospital and neonatal unit. 30 July 2010
Summer fete set to shine next week A spectacular summer fete organised by staff at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children and the neonatal unit at St Helier Hospital is set to go ahead next weekend (Saturday 24 July) - and everyone's invited. The event, which will take place at Sutton Arena from 12noon until 4pm and will be opened by Sutton's deputy mayor, Sheila Andrews, is set to be a fantastic day out for all the family. 15 July 2010
No half measures for Epsom children's ward Parents and visitors to a children's ward at Epsom Hospital can now take a break in front of the television, thanks to a generous donation from The Cricketers Inn in Stamford Green Road, Epsom. Staff at the pub organised 12 special fundraising evenings, which included a James Bond theme night, to purchase a television for the ward. 27 May 2010
New midwives flock to Trust In the last year alone, 33 new midwives have started work at the maternity units at Epsom and St Helier hospitals, helping to further improve the experience new mums (and dads) have with the Trust. 17 May 2010
Doctors on call ... in Nepal Two doctors from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust have returned from the trip of a lifetime, where they offered people living in remote villages of Nepal some much needed healthcare. In rural Nepal, people who need medical treatment have to walk to the nearest road and then drive to the hospital. 27 April 2010
Countdown to completion - maternity unit almost finished The final touches are being made to the £2.8 million refurbishment of the maternity unit at St Helier Hospital, and with the end of the work in site, the countdown to the official reopening of the department has begun. 06 April 2010
Proud father thanks baby unit with bumper £1,250 cheque A grateful father has helped to raise £1,250 for the unit that treats sick and premature babies at Epsom Hospital, 11 and a half years since his newborn son was treated there. 15 March 2010
'Miracle' baby arrives after 18 miscarriages A woman who suffered 18 miscarriages has given birth to a healthy baby girl named Raiya, thanks to a pioneering technique of diagnosing and treating multiple miscarriages developed at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. Angie Baker (33) had been trying to have a baby for 13 years, but although doctors could not diagnose what was causing it, she repeatedly suffered a miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. 18 February 2010
£180,000 birth centre officially opens A crowd of VIPs including new parents, local MPs and members of Trust staff gathered at the new birth centre in St Helier Hospital on Friday 22 January 2010 for the official opening of the unit. The birth centre, which cost £180,000 to build and gives soon-to-be-mothers the opportunity to give birth naturally in a home-from-home environment, was officially opened by the President of the Royal College of Midwives, Liz Stephens. 29 January 2010
Refurbished gynaecology ward officially re-opens The gynaecology ward at St Helier Hospital was officially re-opened last week (Monday 22 December) by the MP for Sutton and Cheam, Paul Burstow, following a refurbishment costing more than £440,000. 31 December 2009
Sick and premature babies get some of the best treatment Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust's neonatal unit is ahead of the game when it comes to providing care to sick and premature babies and their families. Last month, the Department of Health released new national guidance on caring for babies and families to coincide with Bliss - the charity for newborn babies - celebrating its 30th birthday. 14 December 2009
Midwives shortlisted for top award A team of midwives who care for pregnant teenagers at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust has been shortlisted for a national award. 02 December 2009
Children's surgery unit re-opens after major refurbishment The day surgery unit at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children - where children have minor operations like having their tonsils out or hernias repaired- has undergone a major £300,000 refurbishment. The unit, which is based at St Helier Hospital, has gone through a complete makeover, including new flooring, decorated walls and the installation of a custom-built reception area. 24 November 2009
£180,000 birthing centre opens to first new arrivals The brand new state-of-the-art birthing centre at St Helier Hospital is now up and running, and is already receiving glowing reviews from new parents. The centre, which was built as part of the £2.8 million overhaul of the maternity unit, contains three birthing pools, specialist furniture, birthing balls and mood lighting that gently changes colour. 04 November 2009
Trust's cystic fibrosis centre rated in top ten Doctors, nurses and other staff from the Trust's paediatric (children's) cystic fibrosis centre are celebrating following the publication of a new study by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. 22 October 2009
You are welcome to breastfeed here New mothers trying to breastfeed their babies can sometimes feel uncomfortable doing so in public, but at Epsom and St Helier hospitals, a new initiative has been launched to let everyone know that we are officially breastfeeding friendly. 16 October 2009
Brand new birthing centre almost ready to deliver The final pieces of equipment for St Helier Hospital's brand new birthing centre arrived this week, including a delivery of bean bags, birthing mats, swimming floats and birthing balls. These items will help to put the finishing touches to the new birthing centre, which includes four newly designed birthing rooms and three birthing pools. 23 September 2009
Get Britain Breastfeeding exhibition arrives at St Helier Hospital For one week only, St Helier Hospital will be home to a prestigious art exhibition about breastfeeding. The Get Britain Breastfeeding exhibition went on display in the Retreat restaurant to promote the benefits of breastfeeding and will be up for all to see until 30 July 2009. 29 July 2009
'Light, bright and totally welcoming' new baby unit opens Parents of sick or premature babies can now get the very best of care for their children in a really welcoming atmosphere, thanks to a £200,000 refurbishment of the neonatal intensive care unit at St Helier Hospital. The unit, which officially opened its doors on Thursday 16 July 2009, has undergone a top-to-toe refurbishment, including new floors, painted walls and a brand new reception area. 24 July 2009
Delicate lives looked after at Trust Newborn babies and pregnant mothers treated at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are receiving some of the best care in the country, according to a national report. 14 July 2009
Children get all fired up at hospital nursery Children at The Willows Nursery, which is based at Sutton Hospital, got a taste for life as a firefighter recently (24 June) when two fire engines and eight firefighters paid them a visit. The children got the chance to turn on the siren, test out a hose and sit inside the fire engines while learning the very basics about fire safety. 02 July 2009
Babies get off to a swimming start with new birthing pool Midwives at St Helier Hospital today unveiled the latest development in the £2.8 million refurbishment of the maternity unit - a brand new birthing pool. The birthing pool, which is the first of three to be installed in the unit, will offer women at the hospital greater choice about how they give birth. 01 June 2009
Midwives join together to get their voices heard Midwives from Epsom and St Helier hospitals took part in the celebrations of International Day of the Midwife on Tuesday 5 May. The day sees midwives across the globe join together to promote the good work that they do while raising money for maternity services in poorer countries. 07 May 2009
Football match kicks off to support children's hospital A fun football match between the veterans of Sutton United Football Club and a team of professional footballers and celebrities has been organised to raise funds for Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, which is based at St Helier Hospital. 07 May 2009
Breastfeeding - every day makes a difference to your baby Midwives from Epsom and St Helier hospitals will be hitting the streets next week to spread the word about the benefits of breastfeeding. As part of national Breastfeeding Awareness Week (10 to 16 May), the Trust's breastfeeding experts along with the National Childcare Trust, health visitors and the La Leche League will be hosting road shows in Sutton and Epsom. 05 May 2009
Eggs-citement on children's ward as Easter comes early Easter is traditionally a time for children to run round the house playing Easter Egg hunts, eating as much chocolate as they can and having a few weeks off school. But, for children coming in to hospital, it's not as easy to get excited about the holiday season. 09 April 2009
Nursing it better - one family's story of coping with a rare childhood condition t's the stuff of nightmares for every parent: imagine your child is suddenly and inexplicably struck down with a rare condition that has no known cure and no known cause. That's what Claire and Ivo Padovan were faced with when their youngest daughter, Emilia, was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder called Nephrotic Syndrome when she was just three years old. 22 April 2009
Experts join the fight against ovarian cancer Experts at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are urging women to be more aware of the symptoms and risks of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women and kills 4,500 people per year in the UK alone. Now the fight is on to raise awareness of the disease. 24 March 2009
Millions for maternity Nearly £2.8 million is being spent on giving the maternity unit at St Helier Hospital a radical facelift that will drastically improve the environment in which patients are treated and further enhance the care they receive. 12 March 2009
Experts encourage women to attend smear tests Experts at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust are encouraging women to make sure they attend cervical smear tests. 10 March 2009
Get to The Point for sex education A new sexual health centre to educate young people about sex and relationships has been launched by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust. 24 February 2009
Queen Mary's Hospital for Children celebrates 100th birthday Celebrations marking the centenary of Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, part of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, kicked off in style last week. 12 February 2009
Clinicians support healthy living campaign Healthy eating experts at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are supporting a national campaign to help stop obesity in its tracks. 03 February 2009
Doctors and nurses get together to discuss partnership working for Women's and Children's services A major conference attended by over 60 clinical staff at St Helier and St George's Hospitals as well as local GPs and members of the public this week has reviewed plans for a partnership arrangement between the two trusts to deliver better services for women and children. 09 February 2009
Fulham FC visit kicks off children's Christmas Fulham Football Club is top of the league on the children's ward at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, part of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, after three players visited sick children at Christmas. 30 December 2008
Breast is best for babies Midwives at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are backing a national Department of Health campaign encouraging mums-to-be to breastfeed by giving them a new DVD. The film, From bump to breastfeeding - following real mothers' stories, is given to mothers-to-be at 28 weeks. 10 December 2008
Local midwives back new caffeine advice Midwives at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are backing new advice issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) which encourages pregnant women not to drink more than two cups of coffee a day. 01 December 2008
Room gets make over, thanks to Surrey SANDS A comfortable, homely space has been created for parents who have just experienced a stillbirth at Epsom Hospital. The Surrey branch of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) donated £2,500 which paid for the refurbishment work in the room at Epsom Hospital's maternity unit. 04 December 2008
60th anniversary sleepsuits given to bouncing babies Babies born at Epsom and St Helier hospitals on the 60th birthday of the NHS last Saturday (5 July) celebrated with the Trust, by spending their first hours in the world wearing a commemorative NHS embroidered sleepsuit. 04 December 2008
Trust raises awareness of home births The maternity departments at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are running a number of open days to make mums-to-be and their partners aware of the different options for where and how to give birth, in particular having their baby at home. Community midwives, as well as parents who have experienced home births, will also be available for prospective parents to speak to. 05 December 2008
Women and Children's Hospital Services Review A website has been launched to keep local people up-to-date with the review of women and children's services at Epsom and St Helier hospitals. To access the site, please select the service review option from the menu bar above and then Women and Children's. 05 December 2008
Public air their views on services for women and children A total of 126 people came together at a 'deliberative event' initiated by Sutton and Merton and Surrey PCTs and the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust last month to give their views on the future of services for women and children locally. 05 December 2008
NHS engages with local people on Women and Children's Services On Wednesday 30 April, the local NHS held a deliberative event at the Sutton Holiday Inn to engage with local people on the future of women and children's services at Epsom and St Helier hospitals. 05 December 2008

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