UCLH - University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

02/01/2026

A UCLH patient with beta thalassaemia has spent her first ever Christmas without needing to plan her life around blood transfusions after a gene-editing therapy has left her able to produce her own red blood cells.

Kavita Mehta (pictured) has transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia (TDT), which means she does not produce enough haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen round the body. This means she usually has to have a blood transfusion every three weeks.

Kavita said: “A life of regular blood transfusions is all I know. I cannot believe that doctors have already seen signs that I am now able to produce my own red blood cells. I can’t tell you what this means to me, and to my family who have had to watch me go through this and care for me. And more than anything, I am thrilled that this drug is available on the NHS and may help patients who are much younger than me live a life independent of transfusions”.

UCLH haematology consultant Ben Carpenter, who has been treating Kavita, said: “We are pleased with the way things are going for our first patient. She had a challenging time in hospital but is now feeling much better. It has been more than two weeks since Kavita's last red cell transfusion, and her levels are continuing to rise independently. We are now seeing normal red blood cells being produced by her own bone marrow for the first time since she was born.”

Find out more: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/news/hope-patients-beta-thalassaemia-new-gene-editing-therapy-rolled-out-uclh

23/12/2025

"Gifts for patients do more than brighten a day — they remind people they are seen, valued, and not alone."

Your support and donations have enabled us to provide gifts for UCLH - University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust patients to open on Day.

Thank you for helping us do more this festive season💙

19/12/2025

Three Arsenal stars surprised young people at UCLH this week, delivering gifts to patients and meeting families and staff.

David Raya, Jurrien Timber and Tommy Setford visited our teenage and young adult cancer unit. Several young Arsenal fans, and their families, were delighted to meet the Premier League stars who posed for photos, handed out gifts, and signed shirts and scarves.

Andre Thomas, youth support coordinator, said: "The Arsenal visit was a special and memorable moment for the children and young people undergoing treatment, and such a boost at this time of the year.”

Thank you to Arsenal and UCLH Charity for making this possible!

Find out more about the visit: https://buff.ly/wKPZE1W

17/12/2025

It was great to welcome Wes Streeting, health and social care secretary, and Jess Phillips, minister for safeguarding, to UCLH’s Lighthouse to announce that Child Houses will be rolled out to all regions to provide holistic support to child victims of sexual abuse.

They were also joined by Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, and and Kaya Comer-Shwartz, deputy mayor for policing and crime, at the Lighthouse - England’s first Child House, which supports around 500 children a year from north central London.

Child Houses are places where professionals from physical and mental health, advocacy and criminal justice, come together under one roof in a child-friendly environment to provide a holistic service for children who have experienced sexual abuse. This means that children only need to tell their story once. The Lighthouse is led by UCLH, working with the Met Police, courts and judiciary, and has supported around 3,000 children since it opened in 2018.

Read the full story here: https://buff.ly/mjueb8C

16/12/2025

Any mild symptoms experienced after your flu vaccine are your immune system building protection. With rising flu cases, do not put off your vaccine.

Book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness over the festive period: https://buff.ly/83pDrJK

16/12/2025

If you’re aged 55-74 and smoke or used to, you will be invited for a free NHS Lung Cancer Screening.

Here’s what to expect:
- You’ll receive a letter detailing your telephone appointment.
- During that call, a nurse will ask you some simple questions about your health.
- If needed, you’ll be invited for a quick CT scan at a local clinic.

These small steps could help spot problems early, when treatment may be more effective.

To find out more visit https://buff.ly/EtYSqUQ

16/12/2025

UCLH has launched an important new clinical trial called FORTRESS, exploring a groundbreaking treatment—NG‑350A, an oncolytic immunotherapy—for locally advanced re**al cancer. We are heartened that the first patient has already been treated at our NIHR UCLH Clinical Research Facility, with the hope that this new therapy may help some patients avoid surgery altogether.

Under the leadership of Professor Maria Hawkins, this study aims to recruit around 30 patients across the UK and USA, assessing whether NG‑350A administered before chemoradiotherapy is safe, effective, and better able to trigger the immune system to fight cancer cells.

This trial reflects our commitment to offering patients access to the next generation of cancer therapies. Learn more: https://buff.ly/ZVy49EV

The Emergency Department (ED) is for patients requiring emergency care for life-threatening conditions. Please use the service carefully so it can best support those with serious conditions. Find out more >

15/12/2025

Our staff have been refreshing their “gloves off” and hand hygiene training as part of preparations to keep our patients safe through the winter.

Using gloves only when needed boosts hand hygiene and helps reduce the spread of pathogens.

Cleaner hands. Safer patients. Stronger protection for everyone!

13/12/2025

Lung cancer can show no symptoms. You don’t have to feel unwell to check your lungs.

If you’re aged 55-74 and smoke or used to smoke, the NHS will invite you for free Lung Cancer Screening.

Look out for your letter and attend your appointment.

A simple step that could make all the difference.

To find out more visit https://buff.ly/EtYSqUQ

12/12/2025

If you are eligible, join the millions of others who have had their free flu vaccine and make sure you get protected ahead of the festive season.

Here’s three reasons you should get your flu vaccine.

➡️Book your flu vaccine today and stay safe this winter: https://buff.ly/2DB3Anh

11/12/2025

Lung cancer can show no symptoms, so getting checked early can make all the difference.

These are the signs to look out for:
- A cough lasting 3 weeks or more
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Unexplained tiredness or weight loss

If you notice any of these, speak to your GP and if you’re aged 55-74 and smoke or used to, look out for your NHS Lung Cancer Screening letter.

To find out more visit https://buff.ly/EtYSqUQ

09/12/2025

Most people don’t think much about their lungs but they work hard for you every day of your life. Know your lungs, get screened.

Lung Cancer Screening can find changes early, even when you feel well. Early diagnosis can mean better treatment.

If you’re 55-74 and smoke or used to, look out for your NHS letter and attend your screening when invited.

To find out more visit https://buff.ly/EtYSqUQ