Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

17/11/2025

A potential complication for the most vulnerable premature babies, born before 32 weeks, is a serious stomach condition where tissue in the bowel becomes inflamed known as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).

This , discover the impact of donated breast milk on preventing NEC in some of our most vulnerable patients ➡️ https://intranet.imperial.nhs.uk/public/page/Helping-to-feed-our-most-premature-babies

Fun fact! Established in 1939, our milk bank at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital is the world’s oldest continuously operating milk bank. For more than eight decades, it has provided donor milk to around 500 premature and unwell babies every year.

Pictured below are side-by-side photos showing how the milk bank looked in the past compared with today.

17/11/2025

A resident doctors’ strike is taking place today (Monday 17 November) and will run to 7am on Wednesday 19 November ➡️ https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/industrial-action-july-2025

Please come to your appointment as planned – unless we’ve contacted you to rearrange.

We are expecting a particularly challenging week. Patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency (if someone is seriously ill, injured or their life is at risk). Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 ➡️ https://111.nhs.uk

14/11/2025

GLP-1 drugs are currently the most effective non-surgical treatment for obesity. This , discover Dr Shivani Misra's research into early-onset type 2 diabetes, a condition closely linked with obesity in childhood and adolescence. ➡️ https://www.imperial.ac.uk/Stories/the-discovery-that-launched-a-new-wave-of-weight-loss-drugs/

Dr Shivani Misra is an honorary consultant in diabetes at our Trust and senior clinical lecturer at Imperial College London. “Ultimately the aim is to better prevent and treat young type 2 diabetes, and that’s where the GLP-1 drugs come in,” she says. “They are the single most effective intervention for obesity that is not surgical.”

Their suitability for young patients is a question Dr Misra hopes to explore in a future study. “These drugs do have side effects, and so far we have mostly given them to middle-aged and older people,” she says. “We are still uncertain about when and how to use these medicines to prevent type 2 diabetes in youth, and about the risks and benefits of long-term use from young ages.”

Professor Stephen Bloom’s pioneering work on GLP-1 epitomises Imperial’s cross-disciplinary approach to obesity and its impacts

14/11/2025

This year is shaping up to be one of the busiest years on record for our hospitals – driven by high numbers of patients attending A&E or waiting for planned care. Patients are often also sicker and frailer than in previous years, which means they may need extra support to leave hospital as well as when they are here.

To help us continue providing safe, high-quality care through this busy period, we’ve put a number of additional measures in place. Read about our approach this winter ➡️ https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/extra-measures-to-ensure-safe-and-high-quality-care-this-winter

Our chief operating officer, Ian Bateman, said: “The coming months will be challenging and so we have planned very carefully to prioritise safety and quality, to keep waits – in A&E and for planned care – to a minimum, and to ensure our staff stay safe and well too.

"We will be here for everyone who needs us, but we also need everyone to do all they can to stay healthy and get the right care at the right time. NHS111 is available 24/7 – online or via phone – to give advice about where to go as well as treatment for minor injuries and illnesses. If you’re eligible, please make sure you get your flu and Covid vaccinations – it’s one of the best ways to keep well this winter. And, for all of us, kindness and collaboration will be more important than ever.”

14/11/2025

Congratulations to JJ Keith, whose portrait of Zubeid, associate pathology practitioner at Charing Cross Hospital, has been selected for the prestigious Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery.

From 5,910 submissions across 51 countries, just 54 works were chosen. The selected portraits were unveiled earlier this week and are now proudly on display at the gallery.

JJ’s image of Zubeid forms part of Open Britain: Portrait of a Diverse Nation, a powerful series celebrating first-generation immigrants working in the UK. It is one of 23 portraits of our staff featured in the wider collection.

View all portraits in the Open Britain X Imperial College Healthcare series ➡️ https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/open-britain

14/11/2025

Some resident doctors will be striking from today (Friday 14 November) until 7am on Wednesday 19 November, including at our hospitals ➡️ https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/industrial-action-november-2025

Please come to your appointment as planned – unless we’ve contacted you to rearrange.

We are expecting a particularly challenging few days. Patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency (if someone is seriously ill, injured or their life is at risk). Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 ➡️ https://111.nhs.uk

13/11/2025

In 2018, artist and music producer Ramzi underwent open-heart surgery at Hammersmith Hospital to treat a severe leak in his mitral valve. The condition meant blood was flowing backwards through his heart, causing it to swell as it worked harder to keep up.

Ramzi shared, “I’d never heard of valve disease before. My father had a heart attack and needed two heart surgeries, but I never imagined that I would face heart problems myself, especially in my thirties. It came as a real shock, particularly as I thought I was doing everything right to stay healthy.

“The cardiology team had initially hoped to repair my valve, but during surgery it became clear that wasn’t possible. Instead, I was fitted with a mechanical heart valve.

“Without the teams at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, I wouldn’t be here today. They saved my life, and for that I’ll always be grateful. I feel truly blessed and determined to make the most of life. I’m especially thankful to Dr Jonathan Afoke, the main registrar who operated on me, as well as consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Prakash Punjabi and his team.

“My advice is simple: don’t ignore symptoms or put things off. It’s always better to get checked if something in your body doesn’t feel right.”

Thank you for sharing your experience of care with us Ramzi. 💙

Read our blog with Ramzi. ➡️ https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/blog/a-second-chance-at-life-living-with-valve-disease

12/11/2025

Celebrating dedication, compassion and decades of care. 💙

Every year, we host our Long Service Awards to recognise and celebrate colleagues who have dedicated 20 years or more to caring for our patients and communities.

Last week, we were proud to celebrate our 2025 Long Service Awards, recognising an incredible 500 colleagues for their continuous service — with more than 300 joining us in person to mark the occasion.

One of our long-serving nurses reflected on the milestone: “I have been working in the Trust for over 20 years and I am very proud of my nursing career as an overseas nurse from the Philippines. I began as a staff nurse and am now a lead clinical nurse specialist. The Trust has supported me throughout my journey, providing opportunities and courses that have helped me progress along the way.”

Huge thanks to Imperial Health Charity for supporting the event — and to every one of our long-serving colleagues for your dedication, compassion and years of outstanding service.

11/11/2025

Today we came together to honour those who sacrificed their lives in defence of our freedoms in conflicts since the start of the First World War in 1914.

We hosted in-person Acts of Remembrance on each of our three main sites and former and serving staff members of the armed forces proudly attended in uniform.

We're proud to have a strong veteran community at our Trust and recognise the unique skills army personnel bring to the NHS. 💙

We're also proud to host Op RESTORE, which provides physical care and support to veterans in England ➡️ https://www.oprestore.nhs.uk/

11/11/2025

A resident doctors’ strike is set to take place from 7am, Friday 14 November to 7am, Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Our priority, as with all industrial action, is to ensure everyone’s safety ➡️ https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/industrial-action-november-2025

We will continue to run emergency services throughout the strike. We are also planning to continue with the majority of our planned operations and outpatient appointments, where we can do this safely. We will contact you directly if we need to reschedule your appointment. If you are not contacted by us, please come to your appointment as planned.

We are expecting a particularly challenging few days. Patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency (if someone is seriously ill, injured or their life is at risk). Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 ➡️ https://111.nhs.uk

10/11/2025

Hearing is an essential part of daily life — and changes can be worrying. If you’ve noticed any difference in your hearing, don’t wait to get it checked.

Our Audiology team is here to help assess and support your hearing needs. A simple hearing test can provide a better understanding in the first place.

Speak to your GP to request a referral to our service. Find out more ➡️ https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/our-services/audiology

Get to know the team better! Read our blog with Renee Almeida, one of our adult audiology clinical leads ➡️ https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/blog/meet-renee-almeida

08/11/2025

Join our team as a senior lead pharmacy technician 🔬

Are you a registered pharmacy technician with a passion for precision, leadership, and innovation? You could lead our Clinical Trials Dispensary service and play a key role in shaping the future of medicine at our Trust.

You will coordinate complex trial protocols and manage medication supply while working closely with pharmacists, clinicians, sponsors and research teams. You’ll mentor pharmacy staff, support research delivery and ensure compliance. Above all, you’ll deliver a patient-focused, adaptable service that helps drive progress in clinical trials.

Every trial is a step closer to breakthrough treatments and you’ll be at the heart of it.

📧 For informal visits and chats, contact: imperial.pharmacyclinicaltrialsrecruitment@nhs.net

Apply now or share with someone who’d be perfect for this role. ➡️https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/careers/search-and-apply #!/job/-v7588229?_ts=284