Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

29/09/2025

Mark Bromage had a heart transplant in February this year. After a mild heart attack in 2023, he experienced a more severe one in 2024. He was transferred to Harefield and put straight onto the waiting list for a new heart.

Mark describes what his life has been like since he received his new heart. He says: "Since the transplant I have a new lease of life. I get out walking with the dog every morning for an hour. I love it. Getting out early and seeing another day, seeing friends. I've also become a baker. I don’t know why. I never baked before!"

29/09/2025

September is Sickle Cell awareness month.

Boys and young men with sickle cell risk the painful condition priapism - a prolonged er****on which can become a medical emergency.

An animation we developed with the Sickle Cell Society, supported by Boston Scientific, explains what this is and the need to seek urgent treatment at an A&E.

Priapism happens when blood flow to the p***s is not properly regulated, causing an unwanted er****on that lasts for hours.

With sickle cell, red blood cells become abnormally shaped, which makes it difficult to flow smoothly through blood vessels. When priapism does not resolve spontaneously, it requires emergency medical attention due to extreme pain. It can damage erectile tissue if not treated promptly.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ8EgbK0XuA

26/09/2025

Your eyes deserve a check in 👀

When was the last time you had your eyes checked?

Regular eye checks can help protect your sight and overall wellbeing. Whether you’re squinting at the telly or noticing headaches after screen time, it might be time to book that test.

Book your NHS eye test and encourage friends and family to do the same. It’s quick, easy, and could make all the difference.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/

26/09/2025

Want help with muscle and joint pain and to hear what support you can get, all under one roof?

Our fabulous physiotherapists run community assessment days to help boost the wellbeing of people living with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. We see around 200 patients from our routine MSK physiotherapy waiting list at each event.

Patients are assessed by our physiotherapists to develop a treatment plan. They also get general health checks and receive advice from community and voluntary sector organisations such as Versus Arthritis, Age UK, Mind UK, and the Department of Work and Pensions. Support is also available for other issues like weight management, falls prevention, and social isolation.

More than 20 million people in the UK have a MSK condition such as arthritis or back pain? Symptoms can include pain, stiffness, limited movement, and disability which affect quality of life and independence.

Nicola Percival, advanced physiotherapist and project lead, said: “People who have one long term condition often have multiple long-term conditions so being able to access services that can help with that, all in one place, can be very beneficial.”

So far, we've run 4 events in various locations across Lambeth, and recently at the London Southbank University Sports Centre in Southwark.

Our next event will be in November in Lambeth.

25/09/2025

At Guy’s and St Thomas’, we’re proud to host the UK’s largest clinical pharmacy service.

Our pharmacists are embedded across diverse areas, driving innovation and improving outcomes for patients. 💙

Hear directly from three of our pharmacists about their roles, impact and what makes their work so rewarding: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/celebrating-world-pharmacists-day-linda-nmmze

As a profession, pharmacy is evolving rapidly. Pharmacists are no longer confined to the dispensary - we are embedded across the entire healthcare system, from primary care to specialist clinical services, shaping policy, improving access to medicines, and driving innovation in patient care.

25/09/2025

Ian, a software developer from mid-Wales, spent over 21 months at Harefield Hospital waiting for a heart transplant. During his long stay, he turned to photography as a way to stay active and mindful, capturing the beauty of the hospital’s gardens and wildlife.

Starting with simple snaps, Ian’s hobby grew into a meditative practice. He explored Harefield’s Healing Garden, wildflower meadows, and lakes, documenting seasonal changes and spotting 16 butterfly species – including the Holly Blue.

“Going outside gave me purpose,” Ian said. “It was an escape from machines and medical routines. Photographing nature became part of my healing.”

Following his transplant in September 2024, Ian was well enough to go home within two weeks. He’s now sharing his gratitude for the Harefield community and encouraging others to consider organ donation.

“I’m so lucky to have received this donor heart,” Ian says. “Even my own heart was donated for research. I hope my story inspires others to sign up to the Organ Donor Register.”

Find out more about how organ donation has changed patients' lives for the better: https://www.rbht.nhs.uk/news/transplant-patients-share-extraordinary-impact-organ-donors-have-we-mark-organ-donation-week-2025

Photography credits: Ian Hilliard

24/09/2025

This , mental health midwife Olivia shares how pregnancy can trigger mental health conditions and why it is so important to provide the right care and support to families: www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/olivia

24/09/2025

Did you know that we have specialist centres at Harefield, Evelina London and Guy's hospitals for heart, lung, kidney and pancreas donation and transplant?

This Organ Donation Week, we have expert teams talking about how confirming your decision to be an organ donor can save lives. With stalls at Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals, we can explain how to talk to your loved ones about your choice, or find out more about organ donation.

Lisa Silas, advanced nurse practitioner in living kidney donation at Guy's and St Thomas', said: "Donating an organ is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Please have the conversation with your friends and family now.

"Think about it, talk about it. Think about organ donation and saving lives."

Visit birdsong corridor in St Thomas' on Thursday 25 September (10am till 4pm) or go to https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/.

23/09/2025

Shana Tova to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah, including our colleagues, patients and the communities we serve.

23/09/2025

It’s Organ Donation Week, a time when we recognise the amazing sacrifice made by organ donors every day to help give people a new lease on life.

Once again this year, dozens of patients and donors from Guy's and Harefield hospitals, as well as the Evelina London Children's Hospital travelled to Oxford to take part in the annual Transplant Games. With hospitals across the Trust delivering transplants for hearts, kidneys, lungs and more it was incredible to see the teams bring back almost 40 medals while having fun and making friends.

“The Games are so special because you know everyone has been in a similar situation” said live donor and patient parent Godfrey, who took part in the Evelina team.

Whether it’s for a family member, friend or even a complete stranger, being an organ donor is one of the most selfless and life changing things anyone can do. Thank you to Godfrey and all other donors this Organ Donation Week.

22/09/2025

Cystic fibrosis patient, Joe Russell, received a lung transplant 10 years ago at Harefield Hospital. Joe wrote a heartfelt letter to his donor’s family to express his gratitude. He has given us permission to share his words, to help spark conversations about registering to be an organ donor.

Earlier this year Joe gifted a replica pair of lungs made using origami to Harefield, having spent two years designing the pattern.

Find out more about how organ donation has changed patients' lives for the better: https://www.rbht.nhs.uk/news/transplant-patients-share-extraordinary-impact-organ-donors-have-we-mark-organ-donation-week-2025

19/09/2025

Sickle cell affects over 17,000 people in the UK, yet many people still don’t know enough about the condition or its impact on health.

Explore our health information to support yourself or someone you know with sickle cell 👉 https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/sickle-cell-and-thalassaemia