East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust

15/01/2026

Congratulations to DAISY Award winner Midwife Seamairah Razzaq!

Seamairah has been recognised with a DAISY Award for outstanding, person centred care—bringing calm, clarity and confidence to a birth journey that changed course in the final weeks of pregnancy.

From the moment options like induction and caesarean were raised, the patient describes feeling “unsure, confused and stressed.”

Seamairah made time to sit down, talk through each pathway and risk factor, and crucially, listen. She rebuilt confidence with clear, non judgemental explanations, reassuring the patient that whatever she chose, she could absolutely do it. That empathy and belief mattered most when everything felt toughest.

On the morning labour began, Seamairah visited at home for a sweep and set the tone: upbeat, positive and genuinely excited that progress was under way. Throughout the day she checked in, coordinated with colleagues, and rearranged her on call so she could attend the planned home birth. When contractions intensified at 3:30am, she arrived and stayed for over 12 hours. Professional and composed yet warmly human, she coached when needed and chatted about ordinary things when distraction helped, turning vulnerability into comfort: “It felt like having a friend in my home.”

After three hours of pushing and growing fatigue, a hospital transfer for a forceps delivery was agreed. Seamairah remained continuously by the patient’s side, including in theatre, helping welcome a beautiful 10lb 1oz baby girl.

The patient writes: “I will forever be grateful to Seamairah for making my birth experience such a positive one. I know I wouldn’t have felt that positive without her.” A treasured photograph captures it perfectly: baby on mum’s chest, partner close by and Seamairah beaming too. You can see the pride and joy she takes in her work.

This wasn’t one dramatic moment; it was quiet strength, practical expertise and thoughtful advocacy at every step with clear communication, seamless continuity from home to hospital, and unwavering respect for informed choice. Seamairah embodies our trust values of Include, Respect, Improve and models excellence in safety, teamwork, shared decision making and compassionate leadership.

Thank you, Seamairah, for the comfort, dignity and confidence you bring to families on one of the most important days of their lives.

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate a staff member for a DAISY Award on our website: https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/patient-visitors/daisy-award/

13/01/2026

Our first public board meeting of the year will take place tomorrow morning at 9.30am

Members of the public are welcome to attend virtually via our YouTube livestream 💻

You can listen along live here:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

13/01/2026

Lister Hospital A&E is extremely busy, please think NHS 111 first or visit one of our Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) 🚨
Open until 10pm every day, our UTCs at both Lister and New QEII Hospital can treat:

🤕 Minor injury or illness
🩹 A bite, sting, cut, or bruise
🌡️ A burn or scald
👃 Objects in ears or noses
🦴 Suspected fractures or broken bones

📍 Lister UTC: www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/services/urgent-treatment-centre-lister-hospital
📍 New QEII UTC: www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/services/urgent-treatment-centre/

*Please note, the last admission at the Lister UTC is 8pm 🚫

12/01/2026

Our Patient Hub (used for outpatient appointment communications) will undergo a routine upgrade on Wednesday 14 January at 3pm.

During the upgrade, the system will be temporarily unavailable (approximately 7.5 hours). Anyone trying to log in will see a service interruption notice.

We expect access to resume as normal from around 10.30pm.

Thanks for your patience while we complete this work.

12/01/2026

Winter is a difficult, cold period of the year – and this year is no different! ❄️☃️

To help ensure you can spend it where you want to be – at home, it’s important to understand how to access the right care, at the right time, if you or a loved one fall ill this winter ⤵️

Winter is a difficult, cold period of the year. To help ensure you can spend it where you want to be – at home, it’s important to understand how to access the right care, at the right time, if you or a loved one fall ill this winter. NHS services are here to help. Making […]

11/01/2026

Our first public board meeting of the year will take place, live, on Wednesday 14 January at 9.30am

Members of the public are welcome to attend virtually via our YouTube livestream 💻

You can listen along live here:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/01/2026

Congratulations to DAISY Award winner Community Midwife Lauren Kelly! 🏆

Lauren has been recognised with a DAISY Award for her exceptional empathy, calm leadership, and person‑centred care.

Nominated by a patient living with depression, anxiety and PTSD, Lauren’s support began from the very first encounter. She gave time and space to talk, listened without judgement, and shaped care around the patient’s emotional and psychological needs, always professional, always warm, and often with a touch of humour that lightened difficult days.

Working closely with the mental health team led by Anna Matthews (who helped train Lauren earlier in her career), Lauren removed unnecessary stress throughout pregnancy. She was accessible by text, responded thoughtfully, and balanced clear boundaries with genuine compassion, making the patient feel seen, safe and supported.

“There was no patronising tone, only calm, warm professionalism. Lauren’s positivity and respect helped me feel safe.”

Lauren’s impact was felt in countless small, thoughtful actions: adjusting shifts to be present for the elective C‑section; recognising silent panic; swapping an oxygen mask for a nasal cannula so mum could see and hold her daughter; returning after her shift to check in; and completing the new-born exam because she knew it would ease anxiety. Each gesture met both clinical and emotional needs and together, they transformed the experience.

“It wasn’t one heroic act. It was quiet strength, kindness, and professional foresight, every small action adding up to something profound.”

Lauren embodies the trust values, Include, Respect, Improve and models excellence across leadership, shared decision‑making, wellbeing, safety and quality, and professional development. She shows what extraordinary human connection looks like in healthcare: always the midwife, always in control, and deeply caring.

Thank you, Lauren, for the comfort, dignity and outstanding care you provide every day. 💙

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate a staff member for a DAISY Award on our website: https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/patient-visitors/daisy-award/

09/01/2026

Public consultation on proposals affecting Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC) - 19 January to 29 March

The consultation will seek views on relocating MVCC to a new, purpose‑built centre. The proposed relocation would ensure direct access to the clinical support facilities needed to deliver the most modern and innovative cancer treatments - which aren't currently possible at MVCC.

Proposals also include expanding chemotherapy in local hospitals and at home, and importantly for east and north Herts residents, an option for a second radiotherapy unit in either Stevenage or Luton.

Find out more here 👇

Plans to secure the future of specialist cancer services for more than two million people in the East of England and beyond have moved a step closer, with agreement on how to fund the capital for a new cancer centre paving the way for a public consultation later this month. Between 19 January 2026 a...

08/01/2026

Carers – you’re at greater risk of getting flu this winter! 🤧

Flu isn’t just a bad cold, and if you’re looking after someone, getting your free flu jab could protect you and the person you care for 💪❤️

Find out why it matters and how to get vaccinated ➡️

Reports from one of Australia’s toughest flu seasons in recent years have warned of soaring cases and increased hospital pressure – signalling that the UK could face a severe outbreak this winter. This winter, we spoke to Dr Kolade Daodu, a GP Partner and Trainer at Shephall Health Centre about ...

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Midwife and DAISY Award winner Katie Foscoe! 🏆

Katie has been recognised with a DAISY Award for her outstanding compassion, calm leadership, and commitment to family-centred care.

Nominated by a grateful patient who delivered DCDA twins at 37 weeks, Katie’s support began from the very first moments of labour. Her enthusiasm and positivity were infectious, and even when her shift ended, she kept the family fully informed and promised to return, and she did.

Over a long night, with several necessary pivots, catheter, monitoring for Twin A, an epidural, and an oxytocin drip, Katie made sure every option was explained and every concern answered. Working alongside Emily, Student Midwife, she created a space that felt calm, zen and magic: pillows fluffed, night lights dimmed, refreshments to hand and even a peppermint tea and a nap to help mum recharge before the final push.

“At no point did we have to ask what was going on, Katie explained everything. Her positivity never faltered and her energy never left, even in the middle of the night.”

When it was time to meet their babies, Katie guided every breath and push, offering clear, confident coaching, so much so that both twins arrived just 29 minutes apart, with very little fuss or stress.

“Katie claimed it was all me, but without her overflowing passion and amazing skill set, I could have easily failed at the last hurdle. I had complete faith in her ability to deliver our two babies safely, and she did.”

From moment-to-moment advocacy to the calm, controlled environment she led, Katie turned an already special day into something unforgettable. The family shared that their entire experience, across more than eight months, was wonderful, and that Katie’s care was a particular highlight.

Thank you for the outstanding care you provide every day Katie and for the comfort and confidence you gave this family as they welcomed their twins. 💙

You can nominate a staff member for a DAISY Award on our website: https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/patient-visitors/daisy-award/

06/01/2026

❄️ With icy conditions across our area, we’re asking everyone visiting our hospitals to take extra care over the coming days.

Slips and trips are much more common in winter, and a few simple precautions can make a big difference.

If you’re visiting our hospitals🏥:
• Please take care in car parks and on footpaths, even gritted areas can still be slippery.
• Use handrails and walkways where available.
• Wear suitable footwear for the conditions.
• If you need help getting around, just speak to a member of our team.

Let’s stay safe this winter.