Heartlands Hospital and Birmingham Chest Clinic NHS

27/01/2026

Heartlands Hospital neonatal Unit has been awarded silver accreditation by national baby charity Bliss, recognising the high standard of care and support provided to premature and sick babies and their families.

Building on their bronze award in 2022, the team has been assessed against the seven principles of the Bliss Baby Charter, with a strong focus on family-centred and family-integrated care. This includes working closely with parents to make meaningful improvements, from introducing ‘sound ears’ to reduce noise in critical care rooms, to ensuring every cot space has a comfortable chair so parents can spend precious time with their baby.💜

On the accreditation Laura Wheeler, Lead Nurse for Family Integrated Care said: “We are delighted to receive the Bliss Baby Charter silver accreditation. It is a fantastic reflection of the hard work and dedication our team showcase daily standard.

"It has helped us reflect deeply on our practices and implement positive changes to enhance the family experience and enables us to showcase our commitment to improving and providing Neonatal care to the highest standard.”

The team isn’t stopping there, with ambitions to reach gold accreditation in the next 12–24 months and ultimately platinum. Congratulations to everyone involved.👏

26/01/2026

Did your child miss their school flu vaccination session? 🚨

You can still arrange for your child to be vaccinated before 31 January by contacting the School Aged Immunisation Service to book an appointment:

➡️ Birmingham 0121 245 5760 or 0121 466 3410 or email: bchnt.birminghamimms@nhs.net
➡️ Solihull 0121 466 6545 or email: BCHNT.Solihullimms@nhs.net

Getting your child vaccinated against flu helps keep them well and protects the wider community during winter.

For more information, follow the link in the comments below. 👇

25/01/2026

Due for your cervical screening?💙

If you’ve ever wondered what a cervical screening appointment is really like, this short video shares a honest and reassuring look at the experience and why it matters. 👇

Cervical screening isn’t a test for cancer, it’s a way to check the health of the cells in your cervix and help prevent cancer before it develops. It’s one of the most effective tools we have to protect women’s health.

And there’s now an easy way to get screened, right in your local community.

A mobile unit is bringing cervical screening closer to you — no need to visit a GP surgery unless you’d prefer to. Just pop along between 9.30am and 3.30pm on the dates below:
➡️ Tuesday 27 January – Southside Enterprise, 249 Ladypool Road, Birmingham, B12 8LF
➡️ Thursday 29 January – Saheli Hub, Balsall Heath Calthorpe Wellbeing Hub, 257 Edward Road, B12 9LF
➡️ Tuesday 3 February – WM Legacy Centre, Soho House, Handsworth, B18 5LB

Everyone registered with a GP in Birmingham and Solihull can attend, no matter which practice you’re with.

23/01/2026

“You know you have been in a position for a long time when former patients that you once treated come back and have their own children!”

Recently retired, Helen Goodyear, Consultant in Paediatric Dermatology, reflects on the past 43 years working in healthcare. Inspired by a GP who treated her when she was growing up, Helen has made her mark every single day over the past four decades.

By treating countless patients, building the paediatric dermatology team, and dipping her toe into medical education, Helen has become a valued team member at UHB.

She’s now looking forward to spending more time with her family and being more active.

Read more about Dr Goodyear in our latest ‘We Are UHB’ blog via the link in the comments below.

22/01/2026

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬: 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭, 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫.

By day, Olivier is a much-loved member of our portering team here at Heartlands Hospital, helping to keep patients, visitors and staff moving safely and smoothly around the hospital, but outside of work, he’s known for something a little sweeter. 🍰

Olivier began his career as a classically trained waiter 34 years ago when he came to the UK, working in prestigious establishments such as The Ritz in London before eventually joining the NHS. But it was a conversation with a colleague years ago that sparked a new passion – cheesecakes!

Unlike the baked varieties found in most shops, Olivier’s cheesecakes are unique, no-bake creations that come in any flavour combination you can imagine. Over the years, they’ve become so popular that friends, family and colleagues often request them for special occasions.

Around special occasions like Christmas, his homemade cheesecakes and cakes never last long, with colleagues quick to grab a slice.

Olivier said: “I enjoy working at Heartlands because I love working. I feel proud to be part of the portering team and to help people every day. I also love creating new recipes, experimenting with flavours and sharing my creations with my colleagues.”

19/01/2026

We're pleased to welcome Adam and Angelina, our new Mencap interns, to the Heartlands Hospital Patient Experience Team.👋

They've joined us as part of a supported 10-week internship, where they'll be gaining hands-on experience while helping us listen to and learn from patients, families and carers.

Supported by Rebecca, Patient Experience Officer, and Mary, Patient Experience Administrator, Adam and Angelina will be involved in day-to-day activities, engagement work, and patient feedback projects.

Olivia Edwards, Head of Patient Experience, said: "We're proud to support Mencap's work in creating meaningful opportunities for people with a learning disability and to offer an inclusive and supportive environment."

17/01/2026

🎉The Doctors' Mess at Heartlands Hospital has officially reopened following an extensive refurbishment🎉

UHB Chair, Dame Yve Buckland, cut the ribbon alongside Non-Executive Director Gillian McGrattan, to mark the occasion.

The refreshed space now features redecorated sitting and beverage areas, new kitchen units and worktops, upgraded flooring, lighting and windows, a resurfaced pool table, and a new television. Located on the first floor of Devon House, the Doctors' Mess is now brighter, more comfortable and welcoming.

A huge thank you to our estates, wellbeing and clinical teams for their hard work in delivering this project👏

16/01/2026

A knife amnesty bin has been installed outside Heartlands Hospital. This is so people can safely dispose of knives before coming to the hospital.

Catch the Catch the BBC story below 👇

15/01/2026

A new paediatric bereavement room has been opened within the Children’s Emergency Department at Heartlands Hospital.

The new room was created to support families during an incredibly difficult and emotional time away from a busy emergency department. It provides a calm and respectful environment, where clinicians can deliver sensitive, compassionate care and families can begin to process their grief with the support they need.

End of life and Bereavement Clinical Nurse Specialist, Justine Hartle said: “This room has been created with immense care, compassion, and intention. It offers a quiet, safe, and dignified space for families during some of the most heartbreaking moments of their lives.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed their time, skills, and support to make this space a reality. This achievement reflects a collective passion for compassionate, family-centred care and a deep respect for the families we serve.”

The room was made possible thanks to the incredible efforts of the Bereavement Team, working in collaboration with the Children’s Emergency Department, who raised over £4,600 through a remarkable 12-hour walkathon and bikeathon at the front of the hospital. This achievement represents the highest amount ever raised by a single department in a one-day fundraising event at UHB for the hospital charity. University Hospitals Birmingham Charity 👏

12/01/2026

Paula Kaya, from Erdington, is one of over 1,500 mothers to have taken part in the Generation Study at University Hospitals Birmingham.

The study tests newborns for more than 200 rare genetic conditions and is currently running across Good Hope, Heartlands, and Solihull hospitals.

Paula took part in the study with her baby, Ayaz, after being approached during her two-day stay at Good Hope Hospital Maternity Unit earlier last year.

“I’m very glad I took part in the Generation Study. In time, it could become a routine service that helps thousands of babies and their parents diagnose conditions early, giving children a better chance of managing illness.”

Read Paula’s full story and find out more about the study via the link in the comments.

09/01/2026

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice from today at 12pm until tomorrow at 12pm, in the west midlands.

Partially thawed snow is predicted to refreeze, accompanied by freezing fog and wintry showers, which brings the risk of ice overnight into Saturday.

Please take extra care, only travel if essential and check on your vulnerable friends and family.

More updates available here:

Met Office weather forecasts for the UK. World leading weather services for the public.

09/01/2026

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20089/parks/2502/water_safety_in_parks

⚠️ Our parks are beautiful in winter but please be careful near frozen water.

Here's a few reminders about staying safe:

✅ Stay off the ice: Do not walk, skate or play on frozen ponds no matter how thick it looks.
✅ Supervise children: Keep children close and ensure they understand the dangers.
✅ Keep pets on leads: Dogs can easily fall in; keep them leashed near water.
✅ Heed signage: Pay attention to park safety signs.
✅ Stay away from edges: Banks can be slippery.

Read more about water safety via the link in comments👇🏼