Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

10/04/2026

Meet Laura Shimeild, one of our emergency care assistants in our patient transport team 👋

Laura first joined the team in December 2022 as an ambulance care assistant. She helped to transfer patients between hospital sites as well as take them home once they had been discharged.

She knew that she wanted to complete additional training to become an even better carer for her patients. Laura’s manager encouraged her to take the next step in her career and complete Level 4 of the First Responder Emergency Care (FREC) pathway which she has now achieved.

Laura said: “This new qualification now means that I can care for patients with more complex needs, including trauma injuries, and I can use more equipment. Every time I learn something new, I always feel proud that I can now do more for patients.

“I always treat patients like family – with respect, kindness and compassion. We can learn so much from the people we care for. They can teach us so much about different cultures and religions, and it is so important that we embrace this diversity. It is what makes our care stand out at the Trust.”

10/04/2026

Did you know you can boost your iron levels with these common foods?

Monika, our specialist dietitian, explains what to eat if your healthcare team has told you that you have low iron.

09/04/2026

Amanda is an extremely passionate paediatric cardiac physiologist at Evelina London. However, this week she has a second important role on stage. She has joined the cast of Lifeline, a musical about the discovery of penicillin and the dangers of antimicrobial resistance.

Find out more: https://www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/about-us/news-events/news-article.aspx?page=evelina-london-cardiac-physiologist-takes-to-the-stage

09/04/2026

Amazing to have our own Joe Paculan on BBC London👏

A west London hospital cafe has been renamed in honour of its long‑serving manager. https://bbc.in/4mjKIVH

09/04/2026

Evelina London Children’s Hospital can now scan patients with less radiation and more quickly than ever before, thanks to state-of the-art technology.

Evelina London was the first dedicated children’s hospital in the UK to install the EOSedge machine, which is an ultra low-dose X-ray imaging system.

It is used to diagnose and plan treatment for patients with scoliosis and other spinal conditions, who often need regular X-rays, as well as children and young people with lower limb differences.

Evelina London patient Daisy has had 2 scans of her spine using the EOSedge machine. She said: “It was quick, simple and straightforward. The people doing the X-rays were very friendly and showed me the scans, which were really clear.”

The scan takes place while the patient is standing or sitting, and produces 2D and 3D images which are used to assess the spine, hips and legs.

It can also help surgeons to create 3D models of the spine that they use when planning a patient’s surgery.

Funding for the EOSedge machine came from generous supporters of Evelina London Children's Charity.

08/04/2026

Our redesigned nurse-led discharge unit has been freeing up much needed hospital beds and improving patient flow across St Thomas’ Hospital.

It can take a few hours to prepare for a patient to leave, so the discharge unit is a space for those inpatients who are ‘fit to sit’ to wait comfortably for the things they need, for example medicines, medical equipment, a discharge letter and transport home.

Between January and December 2025, the nurse-led unit helped to discharge 5,159 patients – this was 83% more compared to the 2,821 patients discharged during the same period in 2024.

Previously called the ‘discharge lounge’, the service included a mixture of inpatients, outpatients and those waiting for patient transport. To identify why the lounge was underused, a task group was set up including staff from a range of roles and departments. Their aim was to understand what was contributing to delays in patient flow across elective and emergency admissions, as well as for those patients who no longer needed critical care but required a bed on a ward.

Jessica Dang, discharge unit manager, said: “The changes to the discharge unit have significantly improved patient flow around the hospital with beds becoming available much earlier in the day. The task group interventions included separating the unit from the outpatient transport hub, upgrading infrastructure, refining inclusion and exclusion criteria, and developing a data dashboard to monitor utilisation.”

08/04/2026

Our Emergency Department (A&E) is very busy and you may have to wait longer than usual to be seen.

If you need medical advice but it’s not an emergency, please use a different service to get the care you need.

For more information: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/news/strike-action-update-2

07/04/2026

Thank you to the amazing West End cast of Hercules On Stage, Disney teaching artists and MediCinema for bringing music and magic to Evelina London Children's Hospital ⚡

5‑year‑old Sienna had a front-row experience when the cast and teaching artists came right to her bedside.

Her mum said: "Sienna loved the visit and it was such a brilliant distraction from being in hospital. She loved singing along with the teaching artists and meeting the characters, she hasn't stopped talking about Meg's amazing purple dress since!"

Read more about the special day: https://www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/about-us/news-events/news-article.aspx?page=hercules-stars-lift-spirits-at-evelina-london

07/04/2026

Our fantastic midwife Anna has been working in the NHS for an incredible 45 years!

She says: "It is a real privilege to be there when a baby is born. It is nothing short of a miracle.

"In 45 years quite a few things have changed. We now use fitted sheets on beds instead of making 'hospital corners'. We wear scrubs instead of linen uniforms and starched hats, and, of course, we now use computers!"

Thank you, Anna, for your amazing dedication and care. We're so lucky to have you.

03/04/2026

👀 The latest issue of the GiST is out now!

Meet thoracic surgeon Stephanie Fraser, our cover star, sharing how AI and robotic technology are speeding up lung cancer diagnosis at Guy’s Hospital.

Inside this issue:
• supporting young autistic people into long‑term jobs
• new community heart valve clinics closing the healthcare gap
• 60 years since the UK’s first ICU opened at St Thomas’

Pick up a copy at our hospitals and community services.

Read online: https://ow.ly/4g5350YBmXE

Download the PDF: https://ow.ly/OOBr50YBmRJ

02/04/2026

Wishing a very happy Easter to everyone celebrating this weekend.

02/04/2026

🏃‍♂️ 4 years. 1 little girl. 1 marathon to say thank you 💙

When Stuart lines up for the London Marathon this April, it marks 4 years since Evelina London Children’s Hospital became part of his family’s life.

His daughter Luna (turning 4 this month) lives with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) - a rare condition where the immune system becomes overactive, causing fevers, exhaustion, pain and swelling. She’s also had kidney surgery and still has regular treatments and hospital visits.

But Luna’s spirit is something else ✨

Stuart said:

“Luna lives life the full and won't be slowed down by her condition. Despite what they entail, she strangely looks forward to our trips to Evelina London as it's a chance to see her nurse and doctor friends. She even gets home and still wants to play hospitals.”

Dr Nadia Rafiq, a consultant paediatric rheumatologist at Evelina London who is involved in Luna’s care, said:

“Luna has faced a complex set of health challenges from a very young age, but she continues to show remarkable resilience and positivity. It has been a privilege to care for her.”

Now Stuart is taking on 26.2 miles to give something back. After everything Evelina London has done for Luna and their family, he’s running to support Evelina London Children's Charity so other children can get the same care, comfort and moments of joy 💙

Stuart said:

“Evelina London will have been part of our lives for precisely 4 years when I take my place at the start line, and this is my chance to give something back to help ensure the vital care they offer can continue for all the families who need it now and in the future.”