University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

26/07/2025

Please visit an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) if you need urgent care and you cannot wait to see your GP or a pharmacist. Only come to our emergency department if your condition is life or limb threatening.

Southampton UTC at Royal South Hants Hospital accepts walk-in patients until 9:30pm every day. They provide faster care for people with more minor injuries and illnesses 🔗 https://www.southamptonutc.nhs.uk/

There's also the Lymington UTC - based within Lymington New Forest Hospital 🔗 https://lymingtonutc.nhs.uk/

If you are in any doubt about which service is right for you, please use NHS 111 - available both online and over the phone.

Thank you 💙

25/07/2025

📢 As we head into a weekend during strike action, we expect our emergency department to be very busy.

We ask you to choose services wisely. Only call 999 in medical emergencies.

🔗 More information on how you can help on our website: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/whats-new/news/information-regarding-resident-doctor-strike-action-25-to-30-july

24/07/2025

Could a new blood test save lives by improving the early detection of pancreatic cancer?

BBC's Lara Lewington visited us this week to learn about an important research study. Among her interviews, she spoke with consultant surgeon and study lead Zaed Hamady.

Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the UK, but the 5th most common cause of cancer death.

Its symptoms can be vague, and often put down to other things such as a diabetes diagnosis. This means that most patients are diagnosed at a late stage, when the cancer has grown too large to be removed surgically.

The SAFE-D study is trialling a new DNA-based early detection blood test. It will see how well the test is able to detect the cancer in its early stages. The trial is being run by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.

Watch BBC Tech Now this autumn to find out how Lara got on 📺

24/07/2025

Yesterday we launched a BRAND NEW Geriatric Rehabilitation and Care Enhancement (GRACE) trial on our elderly care wards G5 and G8 🙌

We are looking at how we promote effective mobility in hospital to prevent deconditioning and support patients in hopefully going 'home' sooner.

This project is all about supporting staff in embracing all aspects of the Fundamentals of Care to focus on what matters to our patients the most, and launching a trial of our 'What Matters To Me' boards with the support of some of our UHS ward volunteers. It also includes promoting a strength-based rehab approach through proportionate care techniques.

Thank you to Ana, Lee and the ward teams for embracing this trial 🙏

We look forward to continuing the amazing work our therapy team are doing alongside nursing and medical colleagues to enhance this experience for our patients.

UHS Experience of Care

23/07/2025

⚠️ The British Medical Association has announced that resident doctors will take strike action from 7am on Friday 25 July 2025 and ending at 7am on Wednesday 30 July 2025.

You will be contacted if your appointment needs to be changed. Otherwise, please attend your appointment as planned.

21/07/2025

Sarcoma is a rare and complex form of cancer, making up just 1% of all cancer diagnoses. It affects the body’s connective tissues, including soft tissue and bone, and often requires highly specialised care.

Here at UHS, we're proud to provide a personalised, nurse-led care support clinic for all patients diagnosed with sarcoma.

Meet Helen, one of our sarcoma clinical nurse specialists 👋

Helen leads this weekly clinic alongside our dedicated sarcoma care support worker. Together they offer tailored support, information and guidance to every patient throughout their treatment journey, helping them feel informed, empowered and cared for 💙

18/07/2025

Congratulations to everyone involved with LifeLab on all the amazing achievements from the last year 🎉👏

Here's to another exciting year ahead!

🎉 Celebrating a year of achievement 🎉

Last week, we held our 2025 LifeLab Showcase 🌟

It was a fantastic to hear our young people and collaborators speak about LifeLab's growing influence.

Thank you to everyone who's made this a brilliant year 👏👇
https://lifelabonline.org/local/pages/?id=102

18/07/2025

💙 Has a UHS staff member made your care extra special? Did someone go above and beyond for you or a loved one?

If someone’s kindness, dedication, or extra effort made a difference, nominate them as an Experience of Care Hero. It only takes a moment to recognise their impact! 🏆

🌟 Last month's winner was oncology consultant Dr Carolyn Macfarlane, who was nominated by a patient for being kind, caring and incredibly knowledgeable. You can see what the person who nominated had to say about Carolyn in the graphic below.

🗓️ Nominations for this month close Thursday 31 July.

Submit your nomination using this link 🔗 - https://forms.office.com/e/Z0misQjAVS

17/07/2025

Our Connect members' newsletter now live! 🗞️ ✨

Connect is a quarterly publication exclusive for UHS members, bringing together all the latest news, events and other developments from across our hospitals. 🏥

The summer 2025 edition includes:
🔷 A perspective from our lead governor Shirley Anderson on the role of a governor, with nominations for this year’s election to the Council of Governors now open.
🔷 The official opening of Robbie’s Rehab, our specialist rehabilitation ward for children with neurological injuries and illnesses.
🔷 An opportunity to catch up on the recent frailty and falls virtual event with UHS speakers.

Find out more about Trust membership here: 🔗 www.uhs.nhs.uk/members

16/07/2025

We’re proud to announce that surgeons at UHS are the first in the UK to use LithoVue Elite – a new surgical device that monitors kidney pressure in real time during minimally invasive procedures 👏

This pioneering technology, developed by Boston Scientific, marks a major breakthrough in patient safety during ureteroscopies, which treat kidney stones and other urinary tract conditions.

Professor Bhaskar Somani, consultant urological surgeon (pictured), said: “It’s a bit like combining a GoPro with a pressure gauge and plugging it into a smart dashboard – all minimised and sterilised for surgery."

With over 8 million people in the UK affected by kidney stones and more than 600 patients treated annually at UHS alone, this innovation could transform care for many 🙌

Find out more 🔗: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/whats-new/press-releases/hospital-trust-first-in-uk-to-use-revolutionary-kidney-pressure-device

14/07/2025

It’s Sarcoma Awareness Month and here at UHS we’re proud to be a specialist centre for the care of people living with sarcoma — a rare and complex group of soft tissue and bone tumours.

Meet Dr Jeng Ching, a radiation oncologist specialising in sarcoma 👋

Dr Ching is responsible for the planning and delivery of advanced radiotherapy treatments for patients with complex and rare soft tissue and bone tumours. Working within a multidisciplinary team, he contributes to individualised care plans, integrating radiotherapy with surgical and systemic treatment approaches.

For more information about sarcoma visit sarcoma.org.uk 💙

11/07/2025

🎉 We’re proud to officially open the expanded NICU at Princess Anne Hospital – a huge step forward for our smallest patients and their families 👶🏽

Part of a £10m investment, the expansion offers modern, spacious facilities that support both high-quality care and a more comfortable experience for parents.

Find out more 👇