Comments Off on 2023 Staff Awards – Patient Choice Award
Nominations for the Patient Choice Award close on Monday 21 August 2023.
This is your chance to say thank you to a member of staff or a team that you feel has made a real difference to your care or the care of a loved one.
This award is open for public nominations only and recognises an individual or team who have made a real difference and impact on improving the experience for patients using our services.
The award is for those who have:
Used their skills, compassion and expertise to make a significant contribution to someone’s personal recovery journey, working in collaboration to transform their experience of care and inspiring hope for a positive future.
Complete the online nomination form, or ask for a paper form at the main entrance reception desk.
Comments Off on RHS praises Kingston Hospital staff
As we marked the 75th anniversary of the NHS this week, we also welcomed back the Royal Horticultural Society for the annual competition to judge our wonderful planters.
The judges from RHS Wisley praised the creativity of the garden planters given to us last year by the Royal Horticultural Society. The planters looked after by staff from different departments are located around the hospital site. Spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing.
Everyone’s planter was a winner. Congratulations to all.
Awards were given as follows:
Overall winner – Emergency Department
Best involvement of the department and patients – Paediatrics
The innovation award (coping with stolen crutches and other challenges) – Physiotherapy
Best choice of plants (Right Plant in the Right Place award) – Wolverton Centre (good choice of shade-loving plants)
Sustainable award, for showing what edibles can be grown in a small space – Speech and Language Therapy
Comments Off on Free carers event – Thursday 4 May
Do you help someone that needs you? All local carers and their family members are invited to join a free evening event on Thursday 4 May, from 5pm – 8pm, at the United Reform Church in New Malden.
The event is designed for carers and is open to everyone interested in health and wellbeing, especially those who help to care for others. There will be a vegetarian buffet meal and goodie bags available for attendees, as well as free NHS health checks, advice from local charities, GPs and experts in carers’ rights all available. For more details about the event and to register, please visit Eventbrite here: Getting the right support – Do you help someone that needs you? Tickets, Thu 4 May 2023 at 17:00 | Eventbrite
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, in the UK, about 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
It mainly affects men over 50 and the risk increases with age. The risk is even higher for black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.
Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms.
If you notice changes in the way you urinate, this is more likely to be a sign of a very common non-cancerous problem called an enlarged prostate, or another health problem. But it’s still a good idea to get it checked out.
The PSA test is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and also by prostate cancer cells. It’s normal to have a small amount of PSA in your blood, and the amount rises slightly as you get older and your prostate gets bigger. A raised PSA level may suggest you have a problem with your prostate, but not necessarily cancer.
If you are concerned about your urinary symptoms or have some of the risk factors it is best to have a discussion with your GP about this.
This Trust will soon be taking part in a national survey to find out what patients think about their stroke care.
All NHS stroke patients who received treatment and/or therapy between 16/05/22 and 16/09/22 will receive a copy of the survey.
This is part of a national programme to improve strokepatients’ experiences.
Taking part is voluntary
The survey will be carried out by an independent company, under a signed agreement with NHS England in partnership with the Stroke Association.
Section 251 support has been recommended by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following advice from the Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG), who are an independent advisory group which includes lay representation. This allows Trusts to share your details without your consent.
Regulation 5 of the 2002 Control of Patient Information Regulations provides a lawful basis for confidential patient information to be processed for medical purposes. If you have opted out via the National Data Opt Out, your information will not bedisclosed by your Trust.
The judges from RHS Wisley praised the creativity of the garden planters given to us last year by the Royal Horticultural Society. The planters looked after by staff from different departments are located around the hospital site. Spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing.
Everyone’s planter was a winner. Congratulations to all.
Awards were given as follows:
Best involvement of the department and patients:
Patient Safety and Risk
Most changed and improved planter: Theatres and Anaesthetics
Overall winner: Audiology (awarded by Chair Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs)
Best teamwork: Physiotherapy
Best choice of plants (Right Plant in the Right Place award):
Emergency Department
Most colourful: Speech and Language Therapy
Best theme: Wolverton Centre
Best decorated: Colposcopy and OT
Most innovative(for coping with vandalised planter and thriving despite being based on a different site): Pain Clinic
The planters are located around the hospital. To navigate your way round the planters, a map is attached.
Comments Off on A true passion for Occupational Therapy – from treating snake bites in rural South Africa, to leading our Inpatient OT team
A true passion for Occupational Therapy – from treating snake bites in rural South Africa, to leading our Inpatient OT team
From life in South Africa to moving to the UK, Sarah talks about her experiences as an Occupational Therapist (OT) and Inpatient OT Lead at Kingston Hospital and why she is so passionate about the profession.
“I was born and grew up in Durban on the East Coast of South Africa. It can be incredibly humid and hot there. It’s rainy in the winter but has beautiful summers. My parents still live in Durban, and I have two sisters – both of whom have recently relocated to the UK. I’m part South African and have a Mauritian mother, so I’ve got a bit of French in me too!”
“Part of the reason why I love occupational therapy is looking at a person not only medically, but in terms of how they are set up socially and in the environments that they spend time in.”
Before moving to the UK nine years ago, Sarah worked for a number of years in South Africa. She says: “I started my career in a rural placement in Port Shepstone, because in South Africa you have to do community service as a health professional. It was a rural district hospital which didn’t have a working x-ray machine. We held clinics in very rural towns, and we used to drive to places that I didn’t even know existed.”
“Once I was given a live chicken as a thank you from a patient at one of our clinics! That was the best gift ever.”
“At our clinics, we had a doctor, an OT and then either the speech and language therapist or a physio. The OTs used to run paediatric and stroke groups under the trees and we saw a lot of hand injuries as a result of snake bites. These were treated with fasciotomies which resulted in a lot of scarring and difficulty with movement in the hands. We used to run a hands group, where we supported patients with exercises and showed them how to manage the development of scars. Many people worked in farming, or had to farm for a food source, so it was really important to be able to use their hands.”
“In South Africa, we also made sensory toys from anything old. We used to make balls out of rocks, sand and plastic bags, so the children could play soccer. As well as working in the rural clinics, I worked in acute inpatient care in hospitals, a rehabilitation centre, a school, vocational assessments, and private paediatrics. In the UK, I’ve worked at a few different hospitals, in both the private and public sector. I have had the privilege of working in palliative care, care of the elderly, neonatal ITU, paediatric neurology and paediatric oncology.”
When asked about her role, Sarah says: “I love my job – being an Occupational Therapist means everything to me. It’s a very different kind of occupational therapy in the UK, so that took some time to get used to. In South Africa, we had to be more creative with problem solving and equipment provision, while the NHS has so many specialist areas and resources. I also enjoy the NHS team approach to healthcare and working in the NHS has given me the opportunity to learn new sets of skills.”
“For me it’s about being able to make a change, and to fly the OT flag. I think Kingston has provided me the opportunity to really be able to do that in terms of what my vision for occupational therapy is and my passion for it. I just absolutely love being an OT and like the uniform, my blood is green.”
Explaining how her journey to becoming an OT all started, Sarah explains: “I did a four-year undergrad BSc Hons in occupational therapy, straight out of school. I was thinking of becoming a physiotherapist but enjoyed the varied and individualised approach of OT more.”
“I feel like it’s the ‘Mary Poppins’ of jobs, as it has incredible potential and we can do amazing things like whip lampshades out of bags, but nobody knows about it. I think physiotherapy and occupational therapy are often amalgamated in certain healthcare settings because of some of the work we do, but it’s a bit like having an electrician and a plumber – you need both to keep your house functioning.”
An avid beach walker and a fan of ice cream and coffee, Sarah tells us what it is that keeps her going: “I think there’s a variety of things. I absolutely love people more than anything else – I love their complexity, and their experiences. I love the relationships that I have with my friends, my family, and the people that I’m really close with. I love being able to see them and just being a part of their day to day lives.”
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the fourth most common cancer in the UK. Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with the disease, that’s nearly 43,000 people each year.
Bowel cancer is also the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, however it shouldn’t be because it’s treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage but this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.
That’s why we’re supporting Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and Bowel Cancer UK, the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity, to raise awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer:
Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
A pain or lump in your tummy
Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. But if you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, see your GP.
This summer, the stunning Kensington Gardens will host Van Gogh Alive produced by Grande Experiences, ‘the world’s most visited immersive, multi-sensory experience’ that exhibits the life and work of the seminal Dutch artist. Visitors will experience over 3,000 images that are spectacularly presented using a combination of sound, visuals and aromas of Provence. The first event to be hosted in this prestigious location since 2016, visitors will be treated to a truly world-class cultural experience in the heart of one of London’s Royal Parks. Van Gogh Alive promises to be one of the highlights of this summer’s event calendar when it opens its doors from 4th June-26th September 2021.
Presented by the independent financial advisory firm Timothy James & Partners, Van Gogh Alive has partnered three charities including with Kingston Hospital Charity. Funds raised will help transform the care environments at Kingston Hospital for children with cancer and for the growing number of patients with age-related macular degeneration and other conditions affecting the back of the eye.
You can purchase tickets, which are now on sale, priced from £24.00 for adults and £14.00 for children.
Comments Off on Local plasterer creates GoFundMe page following theft of doctor’s bike
Dr Josh Wilcox, a doctor at Kingston Hospital, recently had his bike stolen after working a 13-hour shift. To help find his bike, Josh’s wife, Kelly-Ann posted on Facebook:
“My husband who is a doctor at Kingston Hospital finished his 13 hour shift this evening only to find his locked up bike had been stolen from outside the hospital…”
After seeing the Facebook post, local resident and plasterer, Ben Mclean, decided to create a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy Dr Wilcox a new bike.
Ben, who lives in Surbiton, said: “People started commenting on the post and wanted to donate money, so that’s when I thought I would set up a GoFundMe page. I posted it on my company’s Facebook page ‘Platinum Plastering’, and it gathered momentum and more people started donating. I’m always up for doing something positive as I enjoy helping people. Life is too short.”
“I have to say, it wasn’t all down to me – it was only made possible thanks to the amazing generosity of the local community!”
Dr Josh Wilcox, from Kingston Hospital, said: “I’ve been utterly blown away by the local community’s generosity and goodwill. It’s really turned a sour tasting event into the most emotional and magical moment – a massive thank you to Ben and everyone who donated!
“I’m delighted Ben has chosen the remainder of the money raised to be donated to a local charity based in Kingston, Anstee Bridge, which provides an alternative learning programme for young people aged 14 to 16 facing emotional challenges.”
We are fortunate at Kingston Hospital to have a number of fantastic leaders from BAME backgrounds. With the support of the Trust’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, we are launching a series of BAME leadership stories. In this first edition, we hear from Pat Steele, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Jasmine Unit. Read Pat’s story.
Comments Off on Festive Friend – connecting the generations at Christmas!
Thanks to the children and teachers at Thames Ditton Juniors School for taking part in Festive Friend.
Festive Friend is an opportunity to give the gift of a festive card/drawing at Christmas.
In December children from Thames Ditton Juniors drew Christmas pictures/cards or wrote festive messages which are being given to patients on the elderly care wards at Kingston Hospital.
Juliet Butler, one of the hospital’s physiotherapists who works on the elderly care wards, organised Festive Friend:
“I saw it on Facebook and thought that would be a nice thing to do for our patients: it is an opportunity to bring the young and the old together and kind to spare a thought for someone in hospital. This Christmas is particularly hard for relatives to visit their loved ones so why not spread some festive cheer. Huge thanks to Thames Ditton Juniors for taking part.”
In July a new Interventional Radiology suite and cardiac cath lab were opened in The Rowan Bentall Wing at Kingston Hospital. This new purpose built unit incorporating state of the art facilities has been a very welcome addition to the hospital.
The new unit comprises an interventional/fluoroscopy unit with dedicated day ward and integrated inpatient bed waiting area, which will make a significant difference for patients waiting for procedures. The new unit also includes a cardiac recovery bay, a pre-assessment office shared by Radiology and Cardiology and a Radiology office, ensuring rapid reporting of all interventional procedures that are undertaken.
A dedicated reception area has also been introduced, where patients are greeted before being taken through for their procedure.
The new environment is dementia and child friendly and the addition of patterned ceiling tiles and the calm blue decor benefits the wellbeing of both staff and patients.
Following a formal recruitment and selection process, Yarlini Roberts has been appointed as Chief Finance Officer for Kingston Hospital.
Yarlini has been Interim Director of Finance at Kingston Hospital since November 2019, and is a fantastic addition to the Trust’s executive team. Yarlini is an inspirational leader so I am delighted that she is joining the team on a substantive basis, and I look forward to continuing to work with her in the months ahead.
Yarlini is a qualified accountant with board level experience in a commissioning environment as chief finance officer for a number of years at both Kingston and Richmond CCGs. I hope you will join me in welcoming Yarlini as Chief Finance Officer.
As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, Kingston Hospital and the SWL CCG are working more collaboratively to improve the outcomes for Kington, Richmond and East Elmbridge patients. Whilst remaining separate statutory entities with separate governance structures, the two organisations have agreed to develop this as a joint post, to deliver local NHS financial objectives.
Come along and join us for a virtual wellbeing hour with Catherine Tutton, Mindfulness practitioner.
Every Monday 12-1pm
on
Microsoft teams
Join in for a journey into visualisation and mindfulness or get creative with some art or poetry.
Especially created for people who have been diagnosed with cancer or their carers, these workshops will be able to support you and introduce you to other people having a similar cancer journey.
To receive an invitation to the workshop and for the joining instructions please email:
Archana Sood, Macmillan Information and support manager at
A carer provides unpaid care and support to a person who needs this assistance because of a disease such as cancer. Anyone can be a carer, regardless of your age, sex, sexuality, profession or cultural background. Carers can also be a partner, family member, friend or neighbour.
You may not see yourself as a carer. You may think you are just helping out. Recognising you are a carer can be an important step in getting the support you need. Becoming a carer can be sudden; for others, it could be a gradual process.
Being a carer for someone can mean:
Helping with medical support
Manage medicines
Work with the health care team/update them
Manage appointments
Report any changes/deterioration in the person you are caring for to their medical team
Emotional support
Companionship
Listening ear/face to face or telephone
Liaise with key people and perhaps talking to other people on their behalf, such as health and social care professionals
If you are the main carer for the person with cancer, inform their healthcare team. You can also talk to them about any concerns you that you may notice.
If the person you are caring for is in hospital, talk to the healthcare team about organising any support and services you need before they come home. At home, the district nurses, social worker or occupational therapist can usually arrange more help if it is needed. We have more information about looking after someone at home.
How much you do and what care you provide may change over time. You may start to do less if the person you are helping has finished treatment and is recovering. If the cancer becomes more advanced, you may decide to do more. This depends on your situationThis guide for people affected by cancer gives tips on how carers can look after themselves while supporting…
Coping with being a carer
Every caring situation is different. Your responsibilities will depend on what are the person needs and what you are able to offer.You may be sharing these responsibilities with family or friends, or you may be the main carer.
Being a carer can be rewarding but the physical and emotional demands can be difficult. You might have a lot of different feelings, such as sadness, anger, guilt and loneliness.
You may have to balance caring with other things, such as working and other relationships. Getting support and having someone you can talk to about how you feel might help you cope.
Different health and social care professionals can support you as carer. If you are the main carer for a person with cancer, ask social services for an assessment of your needs. This is called a carer’s assessment. The assessment may help you get practical support, if you qualify.
As a carer, you may also need financial support. You may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. If you qualify for Carer’s Credit, it protects your right to a State Pension later in life.
It is a good idea to think about who might be able to help you, such as family and friends. If you are finding it hard to cope, try to talk to someone about how you are feeling. You could talk to a friend, your GP, or call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00
Comments Off on Former patient donates crocheted face mask adapters for Kingston Hospital staff
A local resident and former patient has donated handmade face mask adapters for
staff at Kingston Hospital.
Joyce Bailey, aged 89,
crocheted the adapters, which are designed to make face masks more comfortable
to wear over long periods of time, at her home in Ham, and donated 40 to staff
who have cared for her over recent years.
Louise Hogh, Consultant
geriatrician and chief of medicine at Kingston Hospital, said: “We were
delighted to receive these handmade donations from Joyce. The mask adapters are
so useful for our staff, who are wearing masks at all times on the hospital
premises, to protect our patients and visitors, and each other. Thank you
Joyce, for thinking of us at this time.”
Comments Off on Coronavirus patient thanks Kingston Hospital staff
The
first patient with COVID-19 to be treated in Kingston Hospital’s Intensive Care
Unit has shared his story and thanked the staff who cared for him and supported
his recovery.
Michael
Sansom, aged 50, spent nine weeks in Kingston Hospital after contracting
Coronavirus, including 45 days in an induced coma.
During
his time on the intensive care unit, Michael suffered from renal failure and
his loved ones were prepared for the worst. Michael said: “It was easy for me –
I was unaware of everything that was happening, but I cannot begin to imagine
what my loved ones were going through. At one point I was given what the
doctors thought would be my final round of medication before they would need to
switch off the ventilators, but thankfully my condition improved. I know that
the support of the wonderful chaplaincy team at the hospital was invaluable to
my partner at the time.”
During
his recovery on the Intensive Care Unit, Michael was able to keep in touch with
his loved ones using video calls, facilitated by hospital staff.
Once
well enough, Michael was moved to Kingston Hospital’s Keats Ward, where he
continued his recovery and began rehabilitation.
Reflecting
on his time on Keat’s Ward, Michael said: “I owe so much to the occupational
therapists and physiotherapists. I went from being unable to walk at all, to
regaining movement in such a short space of time. The team did an amazing job
in helping me to get back on my feet and to feel well again. I would not be
where I am today, without them.”
Now
back at home in Thames Ditton, Michael has had the opportunity to reflect on
his time in hospital and has paid tribute to all the staff that cared for him.
“I
am eternally grateful to the wonderful staff at Kingston Hospital. I would like
to thank them from the bottom of my heart, for saving my life. I am forever in
their debt – together we beat the virus.”
Michael
continued: “It has been an amazing journey and I am now looking to the future. I
see this as a new beginning for me.”
Jonathan
Villanueva, a tracheostomy practitioner and physiotherapist who cared for
Michael during his time at Kingston Hospital, said: “All I can say is that he
is a remarkable fighter. All the staff at Kingston Hospital who provided him
with care, treatment and rehabilitation were truly instrumental in helping him
beat the virus. I am very glad that he is now recovering at home and enjoying
the nice weather! I wish Michael all the very best and good luck on his journey
to full recovery.”
Comments Off on Clinical nurse specialist raises £3,000 to support colleagues at Kingston Hospital
Cat King, a clinical nurse specialist at Kingston Hospital, and her husband Ben, have raised £3,000 for Kingston Hospital Charity after running a marathon at home.
Cat was due to run the London Marathon in April to raise money for two charities – Mind, in loving memory of her sister Emma, and Kingston Hospital Charity, to support staff wellbeing. With the London Marathon postponed, Cat and Ben decided to run 13 miles each in their local area of Molesey, using their outside exercise hour and completing the marathon in their back garden, to support Kingston Hospital Charity.
To ensure the full distance was recognised on their watches, Cat and Ben even had to run an additional 2km, on top of their planned distance.
So far, the pair have raised more than double their fundraising target of £1,500. Money raised from Cat and Ben’s challenge will go towards Kingston Hospital Charity’s staff wellbeing appeal.
Cat plans to run the rescheduled London Marathon on 4 October, to raise funds for Mind.
Speaking about the challenge, Cat said: “I know how valuable it is to have emotional support at work and having faced the unimaginable, I will be forever grateful to my managers and amazing colleagues for their help in keeping me well, at work and at home. I wanted to use this run to say a big thank you and to help support others at work. I know that Kingston Hospital is committed to the wellbeing of staff and we hope this money can help with future developments.”
Interim Head of Kingston Hospital Charity, Rob Aldous said: “What a brilliant effort by Cat and Ben to complete this marathon during lockdown on what should have been London Marathon day, while raising over £3,000 to support colleagues at Kingston Hospital. We wish Cat well when she gets the chance to run the London Marathon in loving memory of her sister, hopefully in October this year.”
Comments Off on Six-year-old fundraiser Dhillon reaches target for incubator
Six-year-old Dhillon Manku, who aimed to raise £21,000 for a new incubator at Kingston Hospital’s Neonatal Unit has reached his target in just 18 months!
Dhillon who was born prematurely at Kingston Hospital in 2013 to parents Jas and Sharn, and cared for by its Neonatal Unit. When Dhillon was old enough to understand that he himself was born prematurely he decided he wanted to buy an incubator to look after babies just like himself. He has now raised £21,000 to help Born Too Soon who are the charity that supports the Neonatal Unit at Kingston Hospital and has been doing so since 1985. Dhillon wanted to support the charity so that they can help other premature babies the same way it helped him and his parents. Dhillon’s efforts have helped fund the incubator for the unit.
When lock-down was announced, Dhillon had approximately £5,000 left to raise. He knew he would have to find a different way to raise money during the pandemic, so he put his thinking cap on and decided to pitch an idea he had to the Kamani family who are the founders of ‘Pretty Little Thing’ and ‘Boohoo’ as he liked their colourful designs. Dhillon put a video pitch together and shared it with the Kamani family over Instagram. To his amazement he received a message from one of the owners, Aisha Kamani, praising Dhillon on his work and how much they loved his presentation. She then proceeded to tell Dhillon that they will donate the rest of the money he needed for the incubator, and true to their word he has reached his target of £21,000.
Dhillon’s other fundraising efforts included a sponsored swim, which he completed on his fifth birthday and raised £5,000, a coffee morning at his local Starbucks, a golf day raising £700, and he also carried out a ‘sponsored bounce’ at Oxygen Free Jumping trampoline park in 2019 which raised £4,500. Fifty children came along to support the sponsored bounce, who also raised sponsorship money individually to help reach Dhillon’s target. Dhillon then took part in the Richmond Runfest where he raised £2,500, plus £3,500 from various sponsors and supports which he has picked up along his fundraising journey, Metro Bank, Starbucks, Singing Dentist, DadvGirls, Peter Andre, Dr Ranj and Jay Sean to name a few.
On 12 May 2020 we marked International Nurses Day and the bicentenary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
The World Health Organisation and Nursing Now designated 2020, the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
The role of nurses has been of great significance during the COVID-19 pandemic and the activities are an opportunity to ‘shine a light on the role of nurses across the NHS’ – to recognise and celebrate nurses and support ongoing recruitment, retention and encourage nurses to return to the profession. Please visit our Youtube channel to watch the video.
Comments Off on Send a message to a loved one at Kingston Hospital
Please note: that the message to a loved one service is Monday to Friday and any messages received over the weekend will be delivered on Monday afternoon.
Our new ‘Message to a loved one’ service enables relatives and close friends to send messages of love and support to patients.
At a time when visiting is restricted and the need for connection between families and friends is even greater, our messaging service provides a quick and simple way to tell someone that you’re thinking of them and to brighten their day with messages, photographs and memories shared.
Who is it aimed at?
Anyone who has a close friend or relative who is a patient at Kingston Hospital can write a letter of love and support via khft.messagetoalovedone@nhs.net
How does it work?
Relatives and close friends can send an email to khft.messagetoalovedone@nhs.netbefore 12pm for their message to be delivered direct to their loved one at Kingston Hospital on the same day. Messages received after 12pm will be delivered the following day.
For messages to be passed on to a loved one, you will need to include the following information with your message:
The patient’s full name
Your relationship to the patient e.g. daughter or neighbour
Either the patient’s date of birth OR the first line of their address
This information will allow us to verify that you know the person well.
Due to capacity, unfortunately we are not able to pass messages back from patients to friends and relatives.
Comments Off on Former Kingston Hospital Non-Executive Director raises £12,000
Following treatment for COVID-19 at Kingston Hospital, former Richmond Council Leader and former Kingston Hospital Non-Executive Director, Serge Lourie, has raised £12,000 for Kingston Hospital Charity.
On 26 April, Serge walked 2.6 miles around Kew, as part of London Marathon’s 2.6 challenge, to raise money to thank the staff who recently cared for him during his stay at Kingston Hospital.
Speaking about the challenge, Serge said: “I was in hospital with COVID-19 for 10 days of which three were in Intensive Care. I just cannot say strongly enough how grateful I am to all the staff at Kingston Hospital and the paramedics who took me there by ambulance. I believe they saved my life. They were all completely wonderful and deserve all the praise they have been getting.
In order to give something back, I decided to take part in the 2.6 challenge and planned to walk 2.6 kilometres to raise money for Kingston Hospital Charity. As I was feeling quite strong on the day, I am happy to report that I managed to walk 2.6 miles.”
Interim Head of Kingston Hospital Charity, Rob Aldous said: “It was typical Serge that once he was back home and beginning to feel better, he wasted no time in thinking about how he could show his gratitude to the hospital staff who looked after him. We are delighted Serge has recovered from coronavirus and very grateful to him and all who generously supported his 2.6 Challenge, helping to raise over £12,000 – a fantastic effort!”
To find out more about Kingston Hospital Charity, visit www.khc.org.uk .
Comments Off on Local residents donate rainbow artwork to Kingston Hospital wards
Staff at Kingston Hospital were delighted to receive donations of rainbow artwork from the Sunray Estate in Tolworth.
Simon Green, a nurse at Kingston Hospital, asked residents on the estate for their contributions of colourful artwork to brighten up the hospital wards, and couldn’t quite believe the reaction.
Simon said: “I couldn’t believe the response I got from so many local people. It is really touching to receive these lovely drawings and artwork from the Sunray Estate, Tolworth. Being able to look at the artwork on the wards is making a real difference to our staff and patients at this time. The residents produced enough artwork to fill every ward and we are extremely grateful to them all.”
Kingston Hospital’s Chief Executive, Jo Farrar, said: “We have received such wonderful support and generosity from the local community and it has been heart-warming to know that local residents are thinking of our staff and patients at this time. Thank you to the residents of the Sunray Estate for making a difference to our hospital.”
To support staff at Kingston Hospital during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit the Kingston Hospital Charity website: www.khc.org.uk
Comments Off on The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Kingston Hospital midwives
The Duchess of Cambridge has spoken with Kingston Hospital midwives, health visitors, parents and leading sector experts about the challenges and impact that COVID-19 is having on new and expectant mothers and their families ahead of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week [Monday 4th May – 10th May].
Run by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership and established in 2017, UK Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week aims to create wider awareness of maternal mental health and signpost support for parents. Typically more than 1 in 10 women[1] will experience a mental illness during pregnancy or in the first postnatal year, and around 7 in 10[2] will hide or underplay the severity of their illness.
Over the last fortnight The Duchess has heard from health and care staff about an increase in maternal anxiety and isolation as a result of the pandemic, with midwives, doctors, health visitors and clinicians urging mothers and families to speak up and ask for help when they need it.
Last week [Wednesday 22nd April] The Duchess spoke with midwives at Kingston Hospital, where she undertook two days of work experience last year. She heard about the ways in which the staff at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are ensuring that women continue to have the best possible support before, during and after birth.
She also spoke with new mother, Rebecca Attwood, on the maternity ward about her experience. She said: “Having a baby is an extraordinary experience at any time, but having one during lockdown and then having a surprise conversation with the Duchess of Cambridge after two hours’ sleep was particularly surreal! The Duchess asked us about having a baby at such an unusual time, and our experience on the maternity ward was that all the midwives made it as normal as possible – apart from the masks, it was exactly the same as when we had our first son Rafe, in 2015. The midwives at Kingston Hospital were amazing on both occasions.”
Jennifer Tshibamba, Midwife at Kingston Hospital, said: “I want women to know we’re still here, we’re still open. Even with what’s going on, we’re here to listen to you, we’re still here to make sure we provide you with the best care for your pregnancy, for your baby and support your family.”
Gina Brockwell, Director of Midwifery at Kingston Hospital said: “I am extremely proud of the team at Kingston for the way they have worked within the national guidelines to adapt their ways of working in recent weeks to ensure that we continue to provide outstanding care to all of the women and their families. I would like to thank each and every one in the team at Kingston for everything they are doing.”
Comments Off on Local physiotherapist runs ultramarathon to support Kingston Hospital Charity
Specialist Pain Physiotherapist and former Kingston Hospital nurse, Richmond Stace, has raised over £3,000 for Kingston Hospital Charity following a sponsored ultramarathon.
On Monday 20 April, Richmond completed the 100km run, on the quiet roads around his home in Long Ditton.
Speaking about the challenge, Richmond said: “Each month I run an ultramarathon to raise awareness of pain problems. Many moons ago I worked at Kingston Hospital as a nurse and this month, I wanted to dedicate my run to local NHS staff, to help them keep well at this time and in the future.”
Money raised from Richmond’s challenge will go towards Kingston Hospital Charity’s staff wellbeing appeal, to support frontline staff amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
Kingston Hospital Charity’s Fundraising Manager, Michelle Bartsch, said: “To run an ultramarathon every month is amazing and we’re delighted that Richmond has chosen to raise money in support of Kingston Hospital this month. A brilliant effort by Richmond and all who kindly sponsored him. Thank you very much!”
Comments Off on Former Kingston Hospital Non-Executive Director to take on 2.6 challenge
Former Richmond Council Leader and former Kingston Hospital Non-Executive Director, Serge Lourie, is taking up London Marathon’s 2.6 challenge on 26 April, when he plans to walk 2.6 kilometres to raise money for Kingston Hospital Charity.
Serge is currently recuperating at home after being taken to Kingston Hospital on 22 March and testing positive for COVID-19. He spent three days in Intensive Care, followed by a further seven days recovering at Kingston Hospital.
Speaking when he announced that he was taking up the challenge, Serge said:
“COVID-19 is a horrible condition and affects people in many different ways. I had it very badly and had low levels of oxygen, especially when I was in Intensive Care.
Fortunately, I think I am recovering and would like to thank the ambulance team and the staff at Kingston Hospital for saving my life. I cannot overestimate the kindness and skill of everyone I encountered at the Hospital. They were simply magnificent.
Across the country, carers and medical staff have been fantastic, but I have decided to give something back by raising money for Kingston Hospital. I have run five marathons in the past, but the 2.6 kilometres will be a greater challenge after my serious illness.”
So far, Serge has raised more than double his initial fundraising target of £1,000.
Interim Head of Kingston Hospital Charity, Rob Aldous said: “I would like to extend my warmest thanks and best wishes to Serge as he prepares for this challenge. It is wonderful to see such dedication and commitment to helping our staff at Kingston Hospital continue to provide the best possible care for patients.”
Comments Off on New ‘wobble room’ for Kingston Hospital staff
Staff in Kingston Hospital’s physiotherapy department have set up a ‘wobble room’ to support staff at work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wobble rooms have begun popping up in the NHS to give busy staff a place to go to share their worries, say it out, have a little cry, or just sit quietly.
The hospital’s health and wellbeing chaplain, Diana Steadman has begun running sessions in the room for staff to join her and talk about what is on their mind. She says: “Talking about your thoughts and feelings is the best way to help manage this fast changing situation and we can make more sense together. I hope these wobble rooms help staff know they need never feel alone with difficulties or distress and it’s quite normal to have strong emotions in these disorientating times.”
A group of local residents from Surbiton have added a little bit of their own creative magic to Kingston Hospital’s ‘wobble room’ by sending in their rainbow pictures.
Kath Thacker, physiotherapist, who organised the room says: “I asked people living on my road in Surbiton to help me decorate the room, and was overwhelmed with the beautiful paintings and drawings that kept appearing in my porch! A big thank you to all the children and others who have contributed to making our ‘wobble room’ so colourful and a lovely place to have some time out.”
How to thank our staff: Donate to Kingston Hospital Charity appeal to support staff wellbeing during Coronavirus outbreak
Like many hospitals, we’ve have had many local business, patients and members of the public wanting to show their support for Kingston Hospital during this period.
We’ve had so many donations – particularly food, and while we are so grateful for these kind offers, it is getting more difficult for us to accept perishable items.
How you can help:
We have now set up the Kingston Hospital Charity appeal to support staff wellbeing during the Coronavirus outbreak please visit the charity website khc.org.uk for more information.
If you would like to donate foods, drinks and any other items please contact the Communications team- khft.comms@nhs.net
Comments Off on Important information for all women about COVID-19 and antenatal appointments
Attending antenatal and postnatal care when you are pregnant and have a new baby is really important to ensure the wellbeing of you and your baby.
If you are well, you should attend your antenatal care as normal. If you or a member of your household have Covid-19 symptoms, and you have an appointment due in the next 14 days you should call 020 8934 2949 Monday to Friday, 08:30-16:00hrs for advice. A midwife will discuss your appointment with you and arrange the right place and time to come for your appointments. You should not attend an antenatal clinic appointment if you or a member of your household feels unwell.
If you can’t get through on this number, you can call your midwife and leave a message for them. Your midwives contact number is recorded on the front cover of your maternity notes. Our midwives will return your call as soon as possible, but if your call is urgent, please do contact the 24 hour maternity triage service on
Tel: 020 8934 2802.
Midwives and doctors will continue to see you at the hospital and in the community clinics. They will be delivering some antenatal appointments by phone and you will be contacted directly if your appointment will be by phone.
Please follow this link for national up to date information on Covid-19 and pregnancy:
Comments Off on Bodley Road residents donate £800 staff wellbeing
Thank you to the residents of Bodley Road in New Malden who have generously donated £800 to Kingston Hospital Charity.
Dr Abdulsatar Ravalia, a resident of Bodley Road and previously a Consultant Anaesthetist at Kingston Hospital for 30 years, made the donation to the Trust’s Chief Executive, Jo Farrar.
The donations will go to Kingston Hospital Charity’s fund to support staff wellbeing during the Coronavirus outbreak.
If you would like to support Kingston Hospital’s staff during the COVID-19 outbreak, you can make a donation and leave a message at www.khc.org.uk
Comments Off on Kingston Hospital recruits first patient to national COVID-19 clinical trial
Kingston Hospital is the first hospital within South West London to recruit a patient into a new multi-centre, national trial to investigate treatments for COVID-19 patients.
With no treatments for COVID-19 currently approved, the RECOVERY trial, established by the University of Oxford, aims to identify treatments that may be beneficial for adults that are hospitalised with confirmed COVID-19.
Dr Anna Joseph, a Consultant at Kingston Hospital and one of the Principle Investigators for the RECOVERY trial, said: “In these unprecedented times it is more important than ever that we engage with research to find a way to combat COVID-19. The RECOVERY trial is doing just that. We are excited to be a part of this trial and hope that it will be successful in identifying a treatment.”
Jenny Crooks, Head of Research and Innovation at Kingston Hospital, said: “Being a part of this national clinical trial has only been possible thanks to the collaborative effort of our team. Thank you to Dr Anna Joseph and Dr Siva Mahendran for leading on the trial, and to Annette Nicholson, Clinical Trials pharmacist at Kingston Hospital for coordinating the setup so we could get it open rapidly.”
Comments Off on Kingston Hospital Charity launches appeal to support staff wellbeing
Kingston Hospital Charity has launched a fundraising appeal to support frontline staff working at Kingston Hospital amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
As well as raising money to purchase items to support the wellbeing of NHS staff, the appeal also aims to boost morale at the hospital by providing a way for members of the public to share their messages of support for staff working around the clock to care for patients.
Interim Head of Kingston Hospital Charity, Rob Aldous said: “We are very grateful to members of the local community and local businesses who have already made such generous donations and offers of support to staff here at Kingston Hospital. We know that people are thinking about Kingston Hospital and particularly our frontline staff at this challenging time and as a charity, we are committed to supporting our staff, to ensure they can continue to provide the best possible care for patients. If local residents feel they are in a position to make a contribution to the appeal, we would be very grateful for their support.
“All money raised will go directly to staff at the hospital, to support their mental health and wellbeing at this challenging time. We are working closely with staff to find out how they would like to be supported and to ensure the money is directed to the areas of greatest need. If members of the public would like to leave messages of support when making a donation, we will be sharing these with staff to remind them just how much people across our community appreciate their extraordinary efforts during the Coronavirus outbreak. Thank you for your support.”
If you would like to support Kingston Hospital’s staff during the COVID-19 outbreak, you can make a donation and leave a message at www.khc.org.uk
Comments Off on Kingston Hospital welcomes leap year babies
Kingston Hospital’s maternity team welcomed a very special group of babies to the world on Saturday 29 February.
Born on a leap year, these children are in the rare position of celebrating their birthday only once in every four years.
Gemma Sergejev, mother of baby Charlotte, born at 1.15am on 29 February, said: “I think it’s awesome and we are really pleased that Charlotte was born today. She’s very lucky – she will be young forever!”
Claire Kenny, mother of baby Lizzie, born at 4.25am, said: “My husband was really keen for Lizzie to be a leap year baby, so we are very excited. My sister and I were also born in a leap year, so it is nice to share this with Lizzie.”
Rebecca, mother of baby Isabella, born at 4.29am, said: “I’m excited for Isabella, it is a very special thing and she will always have something to say as an office ice breaker!”
Kingston Hospital’s Director of Midwifery, Gina Brockwell, said: “It is a pleasure to support every parent’s journey with us here at Kingston Hospital and the birth of a baby is always a precious time, but it is particularly fascinating to think of those born on a leap year and whose birthdays will only fall once in every four years. Many congratulations to the families of all our leap year babies.”
Comments Off on Dental Nurse to reach new heights in support of Kingston Hospital
A Registered Dental Nurse at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is currently in training to trek the highest trekking peak in Nepal, to raise funds in support of Kingston Hospital’s Princess Alexandra Wing fund.
On 10th March, Tunde Kabodi, who works within the Oral Services Department at Kingston Hospital, will be climbing the Mera Peak, which stands at 6,476 metres above sea level.
Through the 20-day trek, Tunde is aiming to raise funds for Kingston Hospital Charity, to enable the purchase of mobile air cooling and purifying units for patient treatment rooms within the hospital’s Princess Alexandra Wing.
Speaking about the upcoming challenge, Tunde said: “I have taken on a few mountain treks in the past; in Europe, South America and Africa. One of my biggest challenges to date has been climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which was an incredible and life-changing experience. I feel that the mountains are calling me, so I have decided to take on another big challenge.”
Interim Head of Kingston Hospital Charity, Rob Aldous said: “I continue to be amazed at the dedication and commitment of staff at Kingston Hospital who are continuously looking at ways of raising money to enhance the care that can be afforded their patients. We wish Tunde the best of luck with her latest challenge and continued success with her fundraising.”
Comments Off on Rainbow badges for Kingston Hospital staff
Kingston Hospital staff have celebrated the launch of rainbow badges, demonstrating a commitment to non-judgmental, inclusive care, and an understanding of the issues LGBT+ people can face in healthcare settings.
The badge is a symbol letting an LGBT+ person know that you can talk to the member of staff about who they are and how they feel.
The Rainbow Badge was introduced by Dr Michael Farquhar who works at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, because he wanted to promote a message of inclusion to hospital staff and patients.
Dr Michael Farquhar said: “It was brilliant to see the rainbow badge being launched at Kingston Hospital.
“It’s clear to me that Kingston Hospital is already committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, but I’m sure the hospital’s community will further benefit from so many of its staff signing up to wear the rainbow badge, encouraging people to have conversations.”
LGBT+ stands for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and the + simply means that we are inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves.
Jo Farrar, the hospital’s chief executive said: “I’m really happy to sponsor the launch of the rainbow badge at Kingston Hospital. I look forward to joining many colleagues at the hospital in wearing the badge showing our support to people from all backgrounds within our hospital community.”
Comments Off on Staff survey puts Kingston Hospital in the top ten percent of trusts
Staff at Kingston Hospital are celebrating being ranked in the top ten trusts following publication by Picker of the annual NHS staff survey.
65% of staff at the hospital responded to the survey and three quarters of those confirmed that they would recommend Kingston to others as a place of work, putting the hospital significantly above the average of 66.3% from the trusts which took part in the survey.
Some other highlights from the report showed that:
· 70% of staff said that feedback from patients is used to inform decision making in the hospital (against an average of 59% from other trusts)
· 70% of staff said that their manager takes a positive interest in their health & wellbeing which was an increase from 66% last year (and an average of 67% from other trusts)
When asked if they would recommend the hospital as a place to receive care, 82% of the hospital’s staff confirmed that they would, again putting the Trust in the top performing group of hospitals and the second best score in London
Kelvin Cheatle, Director of Workforce at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Everyone at Kingston Hospital is extremely pleased that we’ve been ranked in the top ten trusts, as a place to work and to receive care.
“At Kingston Hospital we value all of our staff and prioritise supporting with their health and wellbeing at work, and this really shines through in this year’s staff survey.
“There remains more work for us to do in the areas of bullying and harassment at work and in helping to reduce the pressure of work which staff have raised through the survey, and we will be making this a priority and doing some more focused work in these areas.”
Comments Off on Kingston Hospital Charity offers scope for improvement for endoscopy patients
At Kingston Hospital we are continuously looking for ways to deliver even better care for our patients so we are delighted that patients are being offered a more comfortable way to have their oesophagus and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy checked thanks to funding from Kingston Hospital Charity to buy seven transnasal endoscopes.
Only a few millimeters in diameter, transnasal endoscopes offer a more comfortable and quicker way for doctors to screen a patient’s oesophagus (wind-pipe) for tumours, inflammation, infections and other issues.
Ralph Greaves, clinical lead for endoscopy commented, “We are delighted to be able to continue with this exciting initiative which has delivered a number of benefits to our patients. The endoscopy unit would like to say a huge thank you to Kingston Hospital Charity for funding these scopes. This will be a huge help in achieving our commitment that eight out of ten endoscopies will be transnasal by 2021.”
The funding has been awarded to Kingston Hospital’s gastroenterology department following a two year trial of the new equipment. The trial found the new technique to be faster and patients felt less discomfort and did not need sedation, compared to the traditional method.
Comments Off on New specialist heart rate monitoring machine for Maternity Unit
The maternity team at Kingston Hospital has celebrated delivery of a new fetal heart rate monitoring device to further improve care during labour and birth.
Most women have safe labours and birth without intervention but sometimes new technology can make a real difference to outcomes. A new device introduced at Kingston Hospital’s maternity unit aims to do just that.
The ST-Analyser (STAN) machines introduced recently electronically analyse the heart rate patterns of babies during labour and birth, which helps provide additional information to improve decision-making with a view to reducing unnecessary intervention during labour.
The new machines are particularly useful for women with more complex labours. By providing information to the midwives and obstetricians safe delivery can be undertaken when the baby is at risk, for example with emergency Caesarean, but intervention confidently avoided when it is not needed.
Gina Brockwell, Director of Midwifery at the Hospital says: “We have done lots of work to continuously improve safety during childbirth which has included the launch of an innovative training programme for the maternity team. The importance of this was recognised by the award of a national Health Service Journal Award for Improving Outcomes through Learning and Development”.
Annabelle Keegan, who is a lead midwife in the maternity unit said: “We are all very excited about the introduction of this new system. It will really help towards improving the care offered to families due to increased surveillance of the fetal heart rate. This will provide extra reassurance for women and their families.”
Comments Off on Coronavirus information for Kingston Hospital patients
The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
The latest information on symptoms of Coronovirus infection and areas where recent travel may have resulted in a high risk of exposure can be found on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Use this service if:
you think you might have coronavirus;
in the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus;
you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone.
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Comments Off on Kingston Hospital Charity funds manikin to help train staff
Staff at Kingston Hospital are benefitting from a ‘real life’ patient simulator (affectionately known as Carson) as part of the hospital’s resuscitation training programme. This new piece of training equipment was kindly funded by Kingston Hospital Charity.
The simulator is mobile so that the training can take place in any area of the hospital including the wards which is helping to make training more accessible for staff.
Gareth Evans, Simulation Educator and Facilitator said: “The new manikin has allowed us to diversify and enhance the training that we are able to offer to all clinical staff. It replicates accurately emergency situations and acute patient scenarios, providing an invaluable training experience. It also helps to foster working as a multi-disciplinary team. We are excited to have this new high-fidelity patient simulator, thanks to the support of Kingston Hospital Charity.”
“The manikin is a great way of testing real life situations in preparation for when this happens on the ward.”
Comments Off on Kingston Hospital supports Time to Talk Day
On Thursday 6 February Kingston Hospital will be supporting Time to Talk Day – the nation’s biggest conversation about mental health.
Conversations about mental health can make a positive difference to someone’s life. Importantly, talking openly about mental health also helps to break down the stigma surrounding the subject.
Diana Steadman, Staff Wellbeing Chaplain said: “Talking about mental health doesn’t need to be difficult, it can be as simple as making time to have a cup of tea or listen to someone talk about how they feel, Time to Talk Day is a great opportunity to recognise how much staff give out physically, emotionally and mentally every day as they make sure we are ready to care for patients at their time of need.”
The hospital’s Time to Change Mental Health Champions will be walking around hospital departments on Time to Talk Day with goodie bags for our staff with resources and advice on how you can start a conversation around mental health and the support that is available.
Comments Off on National recognition for Kingston Hospital’s Maternity Service
The results of the latest survey of maternity services in England shows care and performance at Kingston Hospital’s Maternity Unit as consistently good.
The survey was carried out by Picker on behalf of the Care Quality Commission who use the results to inform their regulation, monitoring and inspection of hospital trusts in England. Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is currently rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.
Picker’s assessment was informed by nearly 200 responses from women who gave birth in Kingston last February.
The survey highlighted a number of positive aspects of patients’ experiences, including:
98% women reported being treated with respect and dignity
98% treated with kindness and understanding
96% women had trust and confidence in staff (during labour and birth)
94% involved enough in decisions about their care (during labour and birth)
99% had enough time to ask questions during antenatal check-ups
97% had skin to skin contact with baby shortly after birth
97% given the help needed by midwives after the baby’s birth
99% felt midwives listened to them
98% had confidence and trust in midwives
98% found antenatal classes or courses useful
Gina Brockwell, Director of Midwifery at Kingston Hospital said: “We are pleased that the excellent care we provide is reflected positively in this latest survey. In particular we’re pleased that the efforts we make to support skin to skin contact between the mother and her baby have been recognised. Skin to skin is important in helping form a bond and attachment and in addition research has shown that it aids brain development in new-born babies.
“Alongside this women reported feeling they had enough time to ask questions during their antenatal care appointments, and were listened to.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the experience of the women who choose to have their maternity care at Kingston and we value all feedback from families. We have a very committed maternity team and it is a credit to all their continuous efforts and dedication that we continue to deliver high quality maternity care.”
Gina Brockwell, Director of Midwifery at Kingston Hospital said, “I am absolutely delighted that Kingston’s home birth team has received national recognition for the excellent work they do. This dedicated team of midwives achieves excellent outcomes through relationship-based, holistic care that prioritises safety and a positive experience.”
Some of the achievements from the past year for the home birth team include:
98% of women who started their labour at home with the team had a vaginal birth
91% of women who started their labour at home had a homebirth
100% of babies born at home breastfed in the first hours of life.
Frances Rivers, homebirth team lead midwife said: “We are very proud to have received this national award! As a team of midwives we are extremely enthusiastic about our continued learning so that the women we see receive the best possible care. For example, we have been trained in hypnobirthing, aromatherapy and active birth techniques. Developing these new skills is helping more women to avoid unnecessary medical interventions during birth.
“The team has also received this recognition for our focus on safety; every homebirth midwife has their own homebirth backpack, helping them to get out quickly, and with all the necessary equipment. We have implemented a new study day for team members and community midwives called ‘Safe at Home’ through which we revise our skills appropriate for dealing with emergency situations. The study day is held in a house, with homebirth scenarios role-played in real time.”
A mother who gave birth at home recently, supported by this award-winning team said: “The care was brilliant, so safe and so relaxed. It was like having a friend there for the birth, someone I trusted and felt totally secure with. Just fantastic, the best possible service.”
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