Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

13/03/2026

This World Sleep Day we wanted to share an interview with one of our Sleep Clinic consultants about sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea is a breathing disorder where your breathing stops and starts during your sleep.

Dr Prasanna Sankaran is a Consultant Respiratory Physician and Associate Professor at Norwich Medical School.

He spoke about symptoms and treatment on BBC Radio Norfolk recently.

Listen in at 1'44 on the following link: https://orlo.uk/MfT6d

12/03/2026

Congratulations to our Cardiology Cath Lab team who completed a charity 10k run on Sunday.

Nurses, ODPs, Radiographers and Cath Lab Practitioners took part in the 10k Mike Groves sponsored race at Wroxham Barns.

The team ran to raise money for the N&N Hospitals Charity, which will fund a decorative wall for one of our newly refurbished Cardiac Cath Labs. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, so far, the team have raised over £1000.

The wall will feature an artistic image of a beautiful Norfolk landscape and aims to help promote a calm, welcoming and positive environment for patients undergoing emergency and elective diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures.

The whole team finished the race with achy legs but big smiles! If anyone would still like to donate, you can do so by visiting the JustGiving page: https://orlo.uk/8fmcQ

12/03/2026

Well done to Natasha Adams, Cringleford Ward Sister, for achieving a PRIDE Award.

Her citation read: “I contacted Natasha to ask for some support for a Veteran patient who was due to have an operation and be admitted to Cringleford Ward afterwards. I asked if we could all work together to create a care plan (almost like a Veteran Passport) and since then she has absolutely gone over and above to do what she can so that the patient and his wife/carer have a positive and safe experience. She has ensured his care plan will be shared with everyone who will be involved in his surgery and aftercare, found a way to accommodate his needs around C-PTSD and which bed he will be staying in, given the patient and his wife/carer regular reassurance and links to each part of his journey from admission to anaesthetising, the surgeon, contact with the patient’s wife/carer throughout the operation and preparing for recovery, and everything to support his stay on the ward afterwards.

The patient’s wife/carer has also given some wonderful feedback regarding Natasha and the team, but essentially Natasha has coordinated and arranged the best care and support possible and the Veteran Champions are extremely grateful. It shows just what amazing colleagues we have and what can be achieved in terms of positive patient experiences when we collaborate and work together; truly listening to the needs of our communities. Natasha is an asset to the NNUH, and I feel she should be celebrated!”

11/03/2026

We're taking part in a study that aims to identify children with genetic markers that put them at increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

If you're pregnant speak to your midwife to find out more.

Visit https://orlo.uk/WBb3E or email laura.harris@nnuh.nhs.uk

11/03/2026

Planning to quit smoking this No Smoking Day? Get your free Personal Quit Plan by downloading the NHS Quit Smoking app. It’ll recommend the right help so you can quit smoking for good.

Remember, a smoke free life starts with a smoke free day.

10/03/2026

We're pleased to announce the speakers for this year's NNUH Dementia Fayre taking place on Thursday 14 May.

Our annual event is free to patients, carers and families and provides information for those who are affected by dementia.

There will be information stands from a range of organisations who can provide support in the East Atrium level 1 from 10am - 4pm.

Speakers include Prof Michael Hornberger from University of Southampton who will be talking about driving and dementia. Plus we'll hear from someone with lived experience. There will also be a presentation on carers support and an update on UEA research into online therapies for carers.

We hope to see you there.

10/03/2026

We've launched an important patient safety initiative named Martha’s Rule across all services, including departments looking after children and babies.

Martha’s Rule gives patients and their loved ones the chance to voice any concerns they may have and know they will be taken seriously. It is a vital way of helping improve patient safety.

This nationally developed rule is named after Martha Mills, who died in London in 2021 aged 13 after developing sepsis in hospital where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike. Hospital staff did not respond to family concerns about her deteriorating condition and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.

The rule introduces three key components:
• Patients are asked, at least daily, about how they are feeling, and if they are getting better or worse, and this information is acted on in a structured way.
• All staff can, at any time, to ask for a review from a different team if they are concerned that a patient is deteriorating, and they are not being responded to.
• Escalation routes are available to patients themselves, their families and carers and advertised across the hospitals.

Patients are asked regularly about whether they feel their condition is getting better or worse to provide opportunities for them to raise concerns.

Patients, their loved ones, and staff, will also have access to a dedicated Martha’s Rule phone line. Through this they can seek an independent review from staff specialised in identifying deterioration should they feel a patient’s condition is getting worse.

The introduction of Martha’s Rule replaces a previous pilot scheme run here and at the James Paget University Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn. That scheme was called ‘Call for Concern’ and was implemented in specific areas of their hospitals.

‘Martha’s rule’ is the new name for this enhanced and extended service which is now being implemented throughout all areas of the hospitals.

Rachael Cocker, Chief Nurse at Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group, said: “Martha’s Rule empowers family and friends of patients to speak up and be listened to knowing prompt action will be taken.”

09/03/2026

Last year 124 students from 37 universities across the world had a placement at our hospital.

The students joined us for between two to eight weeks, to see first hand how the NHS works. In 2025 students visited us from Hungary, Italy, Germany, Egypt, India, Australia, Singapore, Jordon, Nigeria, Gambia and several other countries around the world, putting us on the map as a centre of excellence in educating young medical professionals.

The Post Graduate Medical Education (PGME) and Undergraduate Education team organise medical elective placements for final year medical students at our hospital. Students are given a named consultant as their supervisor and are placed with teams across all specialties.

Thanks to the efforts of our consultants and medical teams who welcome and support these students, we constantly have fantastic reviews from them about their time spent here.

One said: “I was genuinely impressed by the enthusiasm, professionalism and kindness shown by all members of the department. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and keen to support my learning, which made for an outstanding elective experience at NNUH. I felt fully included and valued as a medical student. I thoroughly enjoyed my time whilst observing and engaging with the team.”

Another told us: “It has been the best placement I have had so far. I had the pleasure of working with an amazing team. I am grateful for all the teaching, and I will really consider coming back for a fellowship in the future.”

Girish Swamy, Consultant Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon, said: “An elective medical placement is always a very memorable experience for medical students before qualifying and even the most senior clinicians fondly remember their time during their medical electives. It is nice to see the enthusiasm among these visitors, and it is fair to say that many students decide on their future career pathways inspired by these experiences.

“Several of the students have applied to visit again and have proudly highlighted their time, lessons learnt and the warmth of our staff in their local universities and media within their respective countries. The entire Education team at NNUH have been exceptional in organising these placements and facilitating the smooth journey for the students. A big shout out and thank you to the team for this exceptional success.”

Sharon McHugh, Operational Lead for Post Graduate Medical and Dental Education, added: “We’re very grateful to the clinical teams who support us in running such successful programmes. Students are always grateful to have a placement with us and see how the NHS works. Some have benefited from research opportunities because of the links they’ve made with us. In recent years we’ve had a trainee join us after doing their medical elective with us, which is fantastic. The draw of our beautiful county of Norfolk also helps! It’s great to receive such positive feedback showcasing us a leading teaching hospital in the UK.”

Resident doctor Mustafa Al-Khafaji did his medical elective with us and chose to return as a trainee. He said: “Completing my elective at NNUH in 2023 was one of the most rewarding experiences of my medical training. The PGME team run an exceptionally well organised and supportive programme, ensuring that students are fully integrated and genuinely valued members of their teams.

“During my time in Endocrinology under Dr Neupane and in Plastic Surgery with Prof Haywood and Ms Rosich-Medina, I gained fantastic exposure both on the medical wards and in theatre. I was given meaningful hands-on experience, excellent teaching, and even opportunities to get involved in research. Not only did I receive incredible support and teaching from the consultants, but also from registrars like Mr Christian Asher, who played a huge role in developing my surgical skills. He consistently took the time to teach, explain plastic surgery techniques and give constructive feedback, and it makes such a difference having senior clinicians who are genuinely pro-teaching and invested in students’ learning.

“Living in Norwich and exploring the beauty of Norfolk at weekends made the placement even more special. And if you’re a football fan like me, seeing Norwich City F.C. play was a great experience too. Returning to NNUH as an SHO felt like coming home, I was already familiar with the systems, the culture, and the people. Choosing to come back to practise medicine here was an easy decision, and I am truly grateful that I first came to NNUH as an elective student.”

09/03/2026

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day!

The theme this year is "Give to Gain" which really resonates with us, knowing the hard work and commitment that colleagues show every day to their patients in our hospital and in many other ways on a day-to-day basis in their home lives.

06/03/2026

Even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, it’s very important that you attend your cervical screening when invited.

If you have received an invitation for cervical screening or missed your last appointment, don’t wait – contact your GP practice.

Find out more: https://orlo.uk/SfjZe

05/03/2026

An enhanced rehab area on Earsham ward is helping people return straight home.

As the orthogeriatric ward, Earsham cares for patients who have a fractured neck of femur (hip).

The ward often has a third of patients waiting for rehabilitation beds in the community before they can go home. While waiting for a bed to become available, patients can often deteriorate becoming medically unwell again.

Wendy Smith, Earsham ward sister, said: “We wanted to accelerate discharge, but with little control over rehab spaces in the community, we looked at what we could do within the ward.

“As an multi-disciplinary team (MDT) we decided to identify those patients being listed for rehabilitation that we felt with more targeted input, could have the potential to return directly home. This included both patients from their own home or a residential home setting.

“In March 2023 we introduced the idea of using a three bedded bay as a reablement bay and now it’s fully embedded in how the ward runs. Patients who are suitable are given individualised goals to achieve. Exercises are provided by physiotherapists and the nursing and occupational therapy teams work closely together to review the care and equipment needs.”

The initiative has resulted in improved outcomes for some patients who no longer need to go to another healthcare-based setting. 67% of patients who used the reablement bay between April 2024 and March 2025 were discharged directly home meaning 140 patients didn’t need rehab beds and those beds were freed up for patients who needed them most. The average length of stay on the bay is just 4.75 days, compared to 2-4 weeks for this patient group in a community rehabilitation setting.

Wendy added: “It’s been a huge team effort and great to see the MDT working has had a positive effect on our patients. We found patients enjoyed a bit of friendly competition between themselves, and it really helped their confidence, which is a huge part in the recovery from a fractured neck of femur.”