Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

18/02/2026

Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent - a significant period of reflection and preparation for many in our communities.

To our patients, colleagues and community observing Lent, we hope you find peace and joy during this special season, leading up to Easter.

18/02/2026

Ramadan Mubarak to our colleagues, patients and local community - wishing you a happy and healthy holy month ✨

17/02/2026

There’s nothing quite like pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, but there’s also nothing like a burn from hot oil, a pan or a stove. 🥞

In the last year, we’ve seen 840 kitchen-related injuries, with 82% of these being scalds from hot liquids and steam. If you are cooking up a pancake storm tonight, make sure you take care with hot oil and pans and consider wearing an apron or gloves to help prevent injuries.

If you do accidentally burn yourself, remember to cool, call and cover:
🔥 Cool the burn with running cool tap water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and jewellery (unless it is melted or firmly stuck to the wound).
🔥 Call for help for any burn larger than a 50p coin: 999, 111 or local GP for advice.
🔥 Cover with cling film while transferring to a hospital/GP surgery. The hospital/GP should apply a sterile dressing. Cling film should not be left on a burn for more than a few hours and only until wounds are assessed by health professionals.

Enjoy your pancakes!

NHS Sussex Children's Burns Trust Dans Fund For Burns

17/02/2026

*Edited 19/02 - we can confirm that the road is now open as usual.*

⚠️ There are currently some emergency roadworks in place on Holtye Road (near Blackwell Farm Road / Lynton Park Avenue) meaning that the road is closed until approximately 5pm on Friday 20 February.

A short diversion route is in place and signposted, so access to our hospital site is not affected. If you are travelling to QVH for an appointment over the next few days, please allow extra time for your journey. ⚠️

17/02/2026

Happy Lunar New Year to our colleagues, volunteers, patients and friends! 🎆

To our patients, colleagues and communities celebrating the Lunar New Year - we wish you a year of good health, happiness and fortune 🏮🐎🧧

14/02/2026

As National Apprenticeship Week draws to a close for 2026, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the incredible contributions that apprentices make across our hospital. 🎉

Apprenticeships continue to play a vital role in shaping our future workforce, from building early career foundations with T-Level placements to a wide range of areas such as operating department practitioners, procurement, workforce & organisational development and nursing associates!

We are incredibly proud of all our apprentices and the positive impact they make every day. Their dedication, curiosity and commitment to learning strengthen our teams and help to ensure that we continue delivering outstanding care for our patients. 👏

Thank you and well done to all of our QVH apprentices - past, present, and future! 💙

To catch up on our interview with our Procurement apprentices, visit our website: https://www.qvh.nhs.uk/2026/02/qvh-shines-a-spotlight-on-apprentices-during-national-apprenticeship-week-2026/

NHS Sussex

13/02/2026

“An apprenticeship gives you the best of both worlds - real work experience alongside a qualification you can take anywhere.” 🎉

As part of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, we’re shining a spotlight on some of our brilliant apprentices here at QVH, and celebrating the skills and experiences they are gaining as they build their careers in the NHS.

We spoke to Robyn, Finn, and Nell, three apprentices working in our busy Procurement team, who shared fantastic insight into their journey so far. From developing strong time management and communication skills to sourcing niche medical equipment and building effective relationships with suppliers, they clearly show how their apprenticeships are helping them develop skills for life. ⭐️

We also hear from their manager, Charles, who explains why he feels that apprenticeships are important: “Apprenticeships create confident, capable professionals who understand not only what to do, but why they’re doing it.”

Read the full interview here on our website: https://www.qvh.nhs.uk/2026/02/qvh-shines-a-spotlight-on-apprentices-during-national-apprenticeship-week-2026/

NHS Sussex

12/02/2026

We are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2026 here at QVH, with this year’s theme being ‘Skills For Life’. 🎉

Today is T-Level Thursday, and Danielle from our Clinical Education team wanted to share her thoughts on T-Levels and how they can provide a great foundation for future healthcare careers:

“The T-Level Healthcare course is an excellent way for young adults to engage with and learn about careers in healthcare, and we are so lucky to be able to host the industry placements that form part of their courses.

It is great to have them onsite to work alongside our Clinical Support Workers and other professions; the T-Level students can work in a variety of departments whilst developing their skills and knowledge and becoming part of the team.
These placements are also beneficial to our Clinical Support Workers as it allows them to develop their mentoring skills, which will be an asset to them when they progress into other roles.

They are the next generation of healthcare workers, and Queen Victoria Hospital is proving itself time and time again to be a place of high education and support for all students who attend for placement or work experience!”

Danielle has previously supported T-Level placements within our teams, and we received brilliant feedback from the students, including that they already felt like part of the team by the end of their first day. 💙

Stay tuned for more National Apprenticeship Week features on our social media channels!

NHS Sussex Crawley College

06/02/2026

Congratulations to Sam, our Clinical Lead for Speech and Language Therapy, who been recognised on BBC Radio 5 Live after being nominated as a ‘Cancer Star’ by patient Brian, who underwent treatment for cancer that resulted in him having a laryngectomy (the surgical removal of the voice box). Brian now communicates using an electrolarynx, and his appearance on national radio marked a remarkable milestone in his rehabilitation.

Brian nominated Sam as his “Cancer Star” for the unwavering support she provided throughout his cancer journey up to now. He praised her compassion, clinical expertise and steady presence during every stage of his treatment. Sam and her team also introduced Brian to the electrolarynx which has given him his voice back.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 presenter Tony Livesey, Brian said:
“Sam’s been there right from the very start of my journey and she’s still there, and will be going forward. She’s provided fabulous advice and been with me through the ups and downs, always there if I have problems, and she’s been absolutely excellent in helping me with what I’m going through in my life.”

Sam explained: “At Queen Victoria Hospital myself and the team were involved from the very start of the cancer pathway after a cancer diagnosis. I first saw Brian when he presented with some changes to his voice and was involved as we tried to help with his voice quality after he had his radiotherapy.”

“I’m so proud of Brian and him being able to speak on national radio via an electrolarynx, that’s not as easy as he’s making it out to be! It’s really amazing to hear. I’m really touched by the comments that he’s made and it’s really lovely to hear him over the radio.”

We’re proud of Sam’s dedication and of Brian’s courage in sharing his story.

You can listen to the interview using the link on our website https://www.qvh.nhs.uk/2026/02/patient-honours-qvh-speech-and-language-therapist-as-his-cancer-star-on-bbc-radio-5-live

NHS Sussex Mims Davies MP Olive Tree Cancer Support Group Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership East Grinstead Town Council Macmillan in the South East Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance

04/02/2026

On World Cancer Day (today), we welcome the publication of the National Cancer Plan for England, reflecting what matters most to those with cancer: faster diagnosis, expert treatment and personalised support. 🎗️

As a regional specialist surgical centre for skin, head and neck and breast cancer, supporting patients across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and the wider South East, we have seen an increase of over 15% in urgent suspected cancer referrals so far this financial year, and this continued growth highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and access to expert care.

Our new Community Diagnostic Centre, opening by Summer 2026, is another important step in helping more people get answers sooner and support earlier diagnosis, and aligns directly with the new national plan. 💙

You can read the full story on our website: https://www.qvh.nhs.uk/2026/02/queen-victoria-hospital-welcomes-new-national-cancer-plan-to-transform-cancer-care/

30/01/2026

Our burns support group are getting together for their first free wellbeing day of 2026 on Friday 27 March from 11am – 2pm here at QVH. 💙

The event is open to anyone aged 16+ who has sustained a burn requiring hospital treatment (at QVH or elsewhere), and will include treatments such as reflexology, back massage and hand massage, with a delicious fish and chip lunch provided.

Would you or someone you know like to join this friendly group for a spot of wellbeing and yummy lunch? 💆

Please email qvh.burnssupportgroup@nhs.net or call 01342 414440 to book your place.



NHS Sussex The Katie Piper Foundation Dans Fund For Burns

21/01/2026

We’re delighted to share that work on our new Community Diagnostic Centre is now underway, made possible through an £8.4 million investment from NHS England! 🚧

Whilst we already deliver a wide range of diagnostic tests and scans (e.g. MRI, X‑ray, lung function tests), the new purpose‑built CDC will enable us to increase what we are able to offer and introduce more diagnostic pathways. Having multiple diagnostic tests available in a single visit is better for patients and will support them to access the appropriate treatment before problems escalate, as well as supporting the wider healthcare system.

Logan Construction has been appointed as contractor for the build, which is expected to open this summer. 👷

You can read the full story here on our website: https://www.qvh.nhs.uk/2026/01/work-begins-on-a-new-community-diagnostic-centre-building-at-queen-victoria-hospital/