University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

16/03/2026

✨ Today we’re celebrating Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Day ✨

Our incredible CNS teams play a vital role in supporting people through every stage of their cancer journey.

Cancer CNSs are experts in their field, combining advanced clinical knowledge with compassionate, personalised care. They help coordinate treatment, guide patients and families from diagnosis through to treatment, and provide essential physical and emotional support when it’s needed most 💙

Across UHS our 75 cancer CNSs work within a diverse range of services, bringing dedicated expertise to ensure patients receive the support they need at every step.

In this video we highlight the vital role our cancer CNSs play in guiding, supporting and empowering our patients through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Join us in recognising and appreciating the impact of our amazing CNSs 🙌

11/03/2026

🌟 It’s Healthcare Science Week! 🌟

Today we’re shining a spotlight on the remarkable scientists, engineers and digital experts who help prevent, diagnose and treat illness across our hospital.

Healthcare scientists use cutting‑edge science, engineering and technology to improve patient lives. With more than 50 specialisms, they work in laboratories, alongside patients, in clinical engineering, and in data-driven roles that shape how care is delivered. They are involved in over 80% of clinical decisions at UHS.

In this video, members of our Healthcare Science team share their advice for anyone considering a career in this exciting and meaningful field.

Our specialists include:
🔬 Life Scientists – investigating the causes and progression of disease using patient samples.
💓 Physiological Scientists – using advanced technology to evaluate body systems, diagnose abnormalities and support long-term patient management.
⚛️ Physical Scientists – developing new ways to measure and treat illness while ensuring vital equipment remains safe and effective.
💻 Data & Informatics Scientists – improving how biological and clinical data is captured, analysed and used to benefit patients.

Our healthcare scientists also work closely with UHS research teams to drive innovation, integrate new knowledge, and continually improve patient pathways.

💙 A heartfelt thank you to all our Healthcare Scientists for your dedication, expertise and constant innovation.

🎥 Explore more staff interviews and discover what a career in healthcare science could look like for you:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtgVC7buZT4BiEy3-YomyhAhSy-EekBSY

11/03/2026

Today is No Smoking Day and here at UHS we support our patients every step of the way on their smoke-free journey 🚭

Our to***co dependency team is in the Southampton General Hospital main entrance with Smokefree Hampshire and Solutions4Health until 2pm today. Drop by for a chat and take the first step towards quitting smoking.

Sean is just one of the many patients who’ve transformed their lives through our smoking cessation service. After taking part in our lung cancer screening he was invited to consider quitting.

“I’ve tried numerous times over the years to give up, but with only small amounts of success,” says Sean.

“By saying ‘yes’ to someone contacting me about the service and arranging that first meeting, I overcame a huge barrier. Being face to face with someone and feeling accountable paved the way for my success.”

Sean has now been smoke free since September — and is saving hundreds of pounds every month as a result.

“Having to look someone in the eye each week and report my progress really reinforced the process,” he adds.

If you’re thinking about quitting, we’re here to help.

👉 Learn more about our to***co dependency team:
https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/for-patients/your-stay-in-hospital/stopping-smoking/to***co-dependency-team

09/03/2026

✨ March for Preceptorship continues! ✨

Today, we’re featuring Goda, a Head & Neck Cancer Dietitian, who shares how our Preceptorship Programme helped her grow in confidence as she stepped into her professional role.

Preceptorship is all about supporting newly qualified staff, giving them the guidance, encouragement, and opportunities they need to succeed. Goda’s story is a wonderful example of how the programme helps our teams feel prepared and supported from day one.

🎥 Watch the full interview here - https://bit.ly/4aMlWJJ

08/03/2026

♀️ Happy International Women’s Day! ♀️

Today we are celebrating each and every one of the incredible women who power UHS and make a difference every single day.

Across UHS, women bring expertise, resilience and innovation to everything they do.

💙 From patient care to pioneering research
💙 From behind‑the‑scenes roles to frontline care
💙 From early‑career professionals to inspiring leaders

They shape our hospital and our community.

In this collage you’ll see just some of the amazing women at UHS — each sharing what they love most about their work. Their words perfectly reflect our Trust values of Patients First, Working Together and Always Improving.

Thank you to every woman at UHS for your dedication, your strength, and your unwavering commitment to our patients 🙏

Health Research Southampton

06/03/2026

Last week our sarcoma team were pleased to present at the annual British Sarcoma Group Conference in Oxford.

They shared their latest service development work on implementing patient-initiated-follow-up (PIFU) for people living with sarcoma.

Sarcoma is a rare cancer that can start almost anywhere inside the soft tissue of the body and our team understand the challenges that come with a sarcoma diagnosis. Our team are here to support every step of the way – from diagnosis through to treatment, surveillance, and beyond.

Our PIFU pathway is offered across our hospitals, not only for sarcoma patients. It allows you to manage your own follow-up appointments, giving you access to contact your clinical team and request an appointment only if you need it.

🔗 Find out more about PIFU: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/for-patients/outpatients/patient-initiated-follow-up-pifu

06/03/2026

Today is Overseas NHS Workers Day, and we celebrate the incredible contributions of our international colleagues who make UHS outstanding, compassionate and diverse 👏

We are proud to be represented by 123 different nations from across the world — each bringing unique skills, cultures, and perspectives that enrich our teams and the care we provide every day🌎

To all our overseas workers: thank you for your dedication, resilience, and the heart you bring to the NHS 🙏

03/03/2026

We’re proud to shine a spotlight on the lifesaving work of clinicians leading the Southampton Oxford Retrieval Team, as they travel across the region to care for some of the sickest children in the South.

📺 Tune into BBC South Today at 6:30pm

📺 Tune into BBC South Today at 6:30pm to see the lifesaving work of our clinicians leading the Southampton Oxford Retrieval Team, as they travel across the region to support some of the sickest children in the South.

Follow the incredible work of Michael Griksaitis, consultant paediatric intensivist, and our dedicated Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team.

🔗 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm21zg2xp6no



📷 BBC

03/03/2026

✨ We’re kicking off March for Preceptorship with a celebration✨

Please join us in congratulating our newest cohort of preceptees who have successfully completed their preceptorship year! 🎉💙

They've traded in their yellow badges for blue and are stepping into their roles with greater confidence, knowledge, and readiness to care for our patients.

Our Multidisciplinary Preceptorship Programme brings together newly qualified staff from all across the hospital, helping them build connections, share experiences, and feel supported during this important transition into professional practice.

We are extremely proud of everything they've achieved. Here's to them and to a month filled with recognition, support, and shining a light on preceptorship. 🌟

Stay tuned to our channels for more Preceptorship highlights throughout the month.

02/03/2026

Find out more about the VIOLET trial - testing whether a specialist medical tampon could help improve early diagnosis of ovarian cancer 👇

Could a tampon help improve early diagnosis of ovarian cancer?

The VIOLET trial, led by Dr Jemma Longley at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, aims to find the answer.

She’s working with colleagues at Southampton Clinical Trials Unit and the University of Southampton's Centre for Cancer Immunology 👇
https://research.uhs.nhs.uk/news/tampon-trial-to-help-improve-early-diagnosis-of-ovarian-cancer

28/02/2026

Today is Rare Disease Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of the more than 7,000 rare conditions affecting people every day.

With more than 3.5 million people in the UK living with a rare disease, the NHS is working to provide the most effective diagnosis, treatment and services for people with rare conditions.

Our teams are committed to delivering essential care and support by ensuring staff 'think rare' when patients present with unusual symptoms.

Here at UHS, the Wessex Clinical Genetics Service has embraced Rare Disease Day by wearing stripes to highlight the need to continue supporting people with rare diseases.

26/02/2026

The UK’s population is ageing, with the number of people aged over 65 set to rise dramatically in the coming years. We need to ensure our healthcare services are well prepared.

Dr Natalie Cox from University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Southamptonrsity of Southampton is investigating ways we can improve the provision of healthcare for older people in their own home.

Watch her explain her research in just 30 seconds ⏱️

Enjoyed this video? Meet more of our researchers who are improving patient care: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyoAGZ9HHdFd46NFUWHoj-9FRmSPmOs5y