Cervical screening progress at King's

New technology helping to save lives in the fight against cervical cancer

Women across Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich are benefitting from new technology which is preventing cervical cancer and helping women who wish to have a family.

Doctors at Orpington Hospital in the London Borough of Bromley are using a new screening device called a DySIS to help detect changes in a woman’s cervix and to help guide the best course of treatment to prevent them developing cancer.

The digital technology helps to pick up changes to cells which could go on to become cancerous. The advanced cervical scan is also ensuring women do not undergo unnecessary invasive treatment, which can in some cases leave them with problems during pregnancy, such as increased risk of premature birth.

Doctors have said the device is helping around a thousand women a year at the hospital and has changed the philosophy of how women are treated.

Mr Adeyemi Ogunremi, consultant gynaecologist and lead colposcopist for Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and Orpington Hospital, part of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said the device is helping to save lives: “This technology moves things up a notch from standard techniques by using digital imaging. It enhances what I see by generating a digital map at the end of the examination.

“Now we can see pre-cancerous hot spots with increased accuracy which might not have been picked up before, which is the unique thing about it. The new technology can help to detect abnormal cells earlier, particularly the ones which need treating, to avoid women going onto develop cervical cancer.”

Women are referred to Orpington Hospital for a procedure called a colposcopy – a detailed examination of the cervix (neck of the womb) – after they have had an abnormal cervical screening test (known as a smear), which requires further investigation.

Around a thousand women attend the hospital each year to have a colposcopy procedure, and of these women, Mr Ogunremi estimates that 60% have pre-cancerous changes. He believes a proportion of those would go onto develop cancer if they were left untreated.

Mr Ogunremi said the device is improving accuracy for both clinicians and patients and should be part of a modern state-of-the-art colposcopy service. He added: “It is extremely important that women attend their cervical screening tests. They can indicate abnormal changes, which we can then investigate further and treat where necessary to prevent cervical cancer.”

Meanwhile, in 30% of women with mild pre-cancerous changes, the abnormal cells could regress naturally without treatment, which itself carries side effects that can impact on a woman’s fertility in some cases.

“The treatment is not without its down sides; it carries a risk and can cause premature birth in women who go on to become pregnant,” said Mr Ogunremi. “The majority of the patients we see are young women who have not yet started a family. Fertility is an important topic and not treating them if they don’t need to be is key.

“This screening tool gives us increased accuracy and enables us to confidently reassure women when they do not need treatment. In the past we would have been seeing these women again and again, which creates more anxiety for the patient. Now we can confidently reassure them what the best course of treatment is during their first visit.”

The DySIS – Dynamic Spectral Imaging System - uses digital imaging to show doctors in real time on a screen where pre-cancerous cells are in a woman’s cervix and helps to map and measure what level the changes are so doctors can decide on the best level of treatment.

DySIS enhances the degree of accuracy of traditional colposcopy which means that treatment can be given in a much more tailored fashion to the individual woman. It records the whole examination and archives it so doctors have a permanent digital record. Patients can look at the screen if they wish during the examination which makes the procedure easier for them to understand.

Orpington Hospital is one of several hospitals across the country using DySIS.

Heather Holyoak, 30, a final-year medical student who lives in Bromley, has had three colposcopy procedures and a biopsy in the last three years after she had abnormal smear test results. The student has been diagnosed with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a group of viruses that affect a woman’s cervix. HPV is common, with over three quarters of sexually active women acquiring it at some time in their lives. HPV can cause changes to cells within a woman’s cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer.

Talking about her experience, Heather said: “I was told I had the worst strain of HPV. I went for a colposcopy and I was scared I had cancer. They took a biopsy and it came back clear.”

Heather has been back each year for colposcopies as a result of abnormal smears and has had the DySIS colposcopy procedure. She added: “It was really good to be able to see the screen and feel a little more in control and understand what was happening.

“Doctors don’t want to take a risk with people’s lives. With DySIS and its increased accuracy they can reassure women with confidence they don’t need the invasive treatment, which is great for younger women who want to start a family.”

So far, Heather has not had to undergo treatment. She wants to raise awareness of the Cervical Cancer Screening Programme and the HPV Vaccination Programme, which both help to prevent cervical cancer. “HPV is so common and is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The majority of women will have it at some point in their lives. The screening programme, subsequent colposcopy and therefore DySIS are so important. I really want people to understand how easy and simple the colposcopy was, and for me it wasn’t remotely painful or uncomfortable, and it could be something that puts your mind at ease until the next smear.”

About 3,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK. It's possible for women of all ages to develop cervical cancer, although the condition mainly affects sexually active women between the ages of 30 and 45. The condition is very rare in women under 25.

Ambulatory Paediatrics Team shortlisted for HSJ awards

The King's Ambulatory Paediatrics Team has been shortlisted in two categories for this year’s HSJ awards

The two categories they have been nominated for are:

• Acute, Community and/or Primary Care Services Redesign
• Acute Sector Innovation

Last year, the team redesigned its paediatric ambulatory care services to deliver high quality, sustainable healthcare based on the needs of children, young people and their families, customised to meet the specific needs in our locality.

The result was a streamlined service delivering acute healthcare as close as possible to the patients’ home. The changes included:

• The launch of the Paediatric Hospital at Home Service. This is a consultant led, nurse delivered service for delivery of care to the local children in their own home (or school) for acute and short term conditions. It provides up to four nursing home visits per day with electronic recording of notes and observations. There is a daily consultant led virtual ward round with the nurses for patient review.

• The opening of a Paediatric Short Stay Unit (PSSU) - a six bedded consultant led inpatient unit for children requiring hospital admissions for less than 48 hours.

• The introduction of a GP telephone ‘hotline’ enabling GPs to speak directly to a consultant paediatrician for clinical advice seven days a week.

• Expansion of a Rapid Access Clinic, making it a daily service (Monday to Friday) and improving access for local children requiring an urgent consultant review.

The measurable impact for the first year has been dramatic. The Hospital at Home service has saved 841 inpatient bed days. There has been a 97 per cent reduction in children being ‘treated and transferred’ to another hospital due to lack of capacity, compared to the same period last year, and the GP hotline helped prevent 121 ED attendances and 26 hospital admissions.

Judges received 1,600 entries, so to be shortlisted is in itself an achievement. Dr Omowunmi Akindolie, Consultant in Ambulatory Paediatrics at King's College Hospital, said: ”The whole team has worked incredibly hard to transform the service, and patients are seeing the benefits. It’s a real privilege to be shortlisted for these awards and for our work to be acknowledged outside the Trust.”

All finalists will find out if they have won a HSJ Award on Wednesday 18 November at a ceremony in central London.

Team King’s go for gold at transplant games

Two teams of transplant patients from King’s College Hospital have won an impressive medal haul after competing in the British and World Transplant Games

Both the British and World Games aim to demonstrate the benefits of having a transplant and encourage transplant patients to regain fitness. The games also aim to increase awareness of the need for more people to join the NHS Organ Donation Register as well as thanking and celebrating donor families for giving transplant patients a second chance at life.

Twenty-nine former King’s transplant patients – including five children – competed at the British Games, which were held at the Newcastle Gateshead International Stadium in July. Sixty teams in total – from 40 UK hospitals and the Anthony Nolan Trust – competed.

The World Transplant Games took place from 23-30 August in Argentina, and five transplant patients from King’s competed as part of Team GB.

The King’s team had great success, winning 22 golds, five silvers and one bronze medal towards the British tally. Team GB finished the Games with 121 gold medals, 76 silvers and 48 bronzes in total.

Melissa Fehr, who is 36 and lives in Southwark, was one of the athletes to compete from King’s in both the British and World Games. She had a bone marrow transplant at King’s at age 29 after her bone marrow suddenly failed due to a rare blood disease.

Melissa has always participated in sport, but has since beaten all her personal bests from before she had her transplant.

She said: “For someone who’s always aspired to be in the Olympics, it’s been like a dream come true. I’ve been able to compete with athletes from 44 different countries across the world and be part of Team GB. Crossing the finish line and knowing I’d won gold for Great Britain was just incredible.

“It’s amazing to see how well each and every athlete has done. We’ve all been through tough times and had to train hard to get to the starting line, let alone the finish.”

Melissa finished the World Games with six gold medals, four individual world champion titles, two team golds and a new world record for completing the 1500m track race in just five minutes and 36 seconds.

21-year-old Kelly Young, from Stroud, also competed in both the British and World Transplant Games, as part of team King’s.

In 1994, when Kelly was just eight months old, her mother Denise donated part of her liver in a living relation transplant. Kelly was one of the first to have a living donor transplant.

Kelly recovered remarkably quickly, and thanks to extensive medical care and expertise from King’s, she continues to lead a normal life.

Kelly first became involved with the Transplant Games in 2002, when she attended the British Games in Loughborough. For Kelly, this was her first opportunity to sit and talk to other families who had shared similar experiences.

Kelly said: “The Games are about everyone’s personal achievements and their contribution to promoting organ donor awareness.

“When I was a child competing in the British Games, it was reassuring finding out that other children were facing similar challenges.”

Kelly finished the World Games with an impressive medal haul, winning six gold medals and one silver for Team GB. In addition she has recently graduated from the University for the Creative Arts, and on the 10 August she celebrated the 21st anniversary of her liver transplant.

To find out more about transplant sport visit the British Transplant Games, the World Transplant Games or the Transplant Sport website.

14-year-old patient says thanks to King’s with donation

A 14-year-old girl who underwent two bowel transplants and had both her legs amputated has helped raise over £1,600 for the hospital that helped her

A 14-year-old girl who has undergone two bowel transplants and had both her legs amputated due to a rare gastrointestinal disorder has helped raise over £1,600 for the hospital that helped her.

Charlie Cronin – who has intestinal lymphangiectasia, a disorder where the lymph vessels supplying the lining of the small intestine become enlarged and obstructed – has been a familiar face on the children’s ward at King’s College Hospital since 2008.

She was given a small bowel transplant at King’s in 2009, but unfortunately needed a second.

Complications due to her condition meant that Charlie had to have both her legs amputated below the knee, and she also recently underwent a kidney transplant, as her own kidneys have been damaged by the disease.

Charlie helped raise over £1,600 – including a large amount of her own pocket money – for the Play and Youth Team at King’s, who provide entertainment and education for children and teenagers who are in hospital to help make their stay less scary, and ensure they don’t miss out on schooling.

Charlie’s donation will enable the team to buy extra equipment and resources for other patients to use during their time at King’s, such as books, iPads, toys and stationery.

Linda Falzarano, Youth Worker on the children’s and young people’s wards at King’s, said: “We are so grateful to Charlie for her selfless donation. The extra funds will allow us to invest in more resources to help make other young people’s visits to hospital as easy as we can.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with Charlie during the last couple of years, and she’s always so positive despite everything she’s been through. She’s a real inspiration to us all.”

King’s professor awarded prestigious medal

Professor Kypros Nicolaides honoured for outstanding contribution to fetal medicine.

Professor Kypros Nicolaides has been awarded the Eardley Holland Gold Medal by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for his significant contribution to fetal medicine.

The Medal, which was presented to Professor Nicolaides this week for his research and work into maternal and child health, is awarded every five years and is the highest accolade the College can bestow on an individual.

Professor Nicolaides trained at King’s College School of Medicine and Dentistry, and has worked at King’s College Hospital since 1980. His pioneering work at the hospital’s Harris Birthright Centre – the first fetal medicine unit in the country – has advanced the UK's standing as a leader in women's health internationally.

As a fetal medicine specialist and a world expert in fetal surgery and interventions, Professor Nicolaides has conducted research into early screening of complications affecting mother and unborn child, which has proven to help prevent conditions such as pre-eclampsia and premature birth. He has also been involved in pioneering surgical techniques on babies whilst still inside the uterus.

Over the course of his career, Professor Nicolaides has trained and mentored hundreds of doctors, contributed to over a thousand scientific journal articles, and, through the Fetal Medicine Foundation, raised more than £15 million for education and research into fetal medicine.

Commenting on the honour, Dr David Richmond, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said, "Professor Nicolaides is a tremendous figure in our specialty both in the UK and worldwide.

“His work in fetal medicine has resulted in improvements to maternal and child health. He is a true pioneer and his research has not only advanced the UK's standing as a lead player in women's health internationally but he has also trained and mentored generations of doctors who have gone on to achieve great things.

"We are very pleased he has accepted the award, in recognition for his excellence as an obstetrician and a researcher."

Professor Nicolaides added, “It’s a real honour to be awarded Eardley Holland Gold Medal for my work in fetal medicine.

“I will continue to work to the very best of my ability to improve outcomes for pregnant women throughout the world.”

King’s rated as ‘Requires improvement’ by CQC

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been given an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. Their report – published today (Wednesday 30 September) – follows an inspection of services provided by the Trust in April 2015.

As well as the Trust’s overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’, the CQC also rated the individual hospital sites they inspected.

King’s College Hospital (Denmark Hill) and the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) were both rated as ‘Requires improvement’, whilst Orpington Hospital received a ‘Good’ rating. King’s took over the running of the PRUH and Orpington Hospital in October 2013.

During their inspection, the CQC found that care was delivered with compassion and dignity, with some of the Trust’s specialist services singled out for particular praise. They include – among others – the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at the PRUH, as well as paediatric liver and gynaecology/urogynaecology services at King’s College Hospital (Denmark Hill). The CQC also highlighted improvements the Trust had made at the PRUH since its last inspection in December 2013.

However, the inspection team also found room for improvement in a number of areas, which the Trust is already taking steps to address. They include patient congestion within Emergency Departments at Denmark Hill and the PRUH, waiting times, the number of cancelled operations, as well as the amount of time patients have to wait to be discharged from hospital.

Roland Sinker, Acting Chief Executive, said:

“The CQC’s report highlighted many areas of good practice across the Trust. However, the rating is not where King’s wants to be. We want and need to do better.

“We are pleased the CQC praised the compassionate care our staff provide to patients every day. It is also positive that the CQC singled out some of our specialist services for praise, as well as finding significant improvements at the PRUH compared to their last inspection in December 2013.

“Many of the issues the CQC has identified as requiring improvement are already known to us, and we have made significant progress since their inspection in April. However, we want to be providing high quality services to every patient that comes through our doors – and this is what everyone connected with the Trust is determined to provide.”

A copy of the full CQC report is available to view on their website. The Trust will shortly submit a report to the CQC outlining the actions that are being taken to improve services.

Professor Julia Wendon is new Medical Director

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Professor Julia Wendon as its new Executive Medical Director.

Professor Wendon has been a Consultant in Intensive Care at King’s College Hospital since 1992. More recently, she has served as Clinical Director for Critical Care at the Trust.

Professor Wendon joined King’s in 1989. Since completing her training, she has earned a worldwide reputation for the care of critically ill patients, particularly those with liver disease.

During her time at the Trust, Professor Wendon has played a key role in the development of the King’s liver service, including the expansion of the hospital's liver intensive care unit from eight to its current 19 beds.

She has published over 150 papers on the management of acute liver failure, and between 2008 and 2013 was the Trust’s research and development lead.

Professor Wendon is expected to take up her role later this month, following the retirement of current Executive Medical Director Mr Michael Marrinan.

Professor Wendon said: “King’s is in my blood, and being appointed to this role is a phenomenal honour. We face real challenges as an organisation, but I am excited about the future, and I look forward to working with my clinical and managerial colleagues to build on the progress we are already making. I’d also like to thank Mike Marrinan for his advice and support; he has set the bar high, and is a superb act to follow.”

Lord Bob Kerslake, Trust Chair, said: “Julia’s passion for the Trust shines through, so I am delighted she is taking on this role. She has had a fantastic clinical and academic career, and I am confident her experience in senior roles at the Trust will help us tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Speaking of Mr Michael Marrinan’s contribution to King’s as Executive Medical Director, Lord Kerslake added: “Mike has made a fantastic contribution to the Trust, not only as Executive Medical Director, but in his previous clinical role. He will be missed by staff and patients alike.”

The Duchess of Cornwall visits The Haven, Whitechapel

HRH meets staff who help and support victims of rape and sexual assault

Today, Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, made a special visit to The Haven in Whitechapel, a specialist sexual assault referral centre run by King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

There are three Havens in London, with locations in Whitechapel, Camberwell and Paddington. The service is run by King’s and jointly funded by NHS England and MOPAC – The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime.

The Duchess is a long standing supporter of people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. In 2013, she set up a scheme to provide wash kits to be distributed among the three Haven sites. Every client is offered a wash bag that contains toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel, a tooth brush and toothpaste for their use following a forensic examination.

Today, The Duchess met with Dr Cecilia Ajayi, Sexual Offences Examiner at The Haven, to find out more about the forensic process, which is a special check-up offered to some clients to collect evidence which may help with the investigation of an assault.

She also met staff who help run and manage The Haven service, before a meeting with former clients to discuss their experiences of The Havens, accompanied by Jo Delaforce, Matron at The Havens.

Dr Sophie Khadr, Clinical Lead for The Havens, helped lead The Duchess’s tour of the service. Dr Khadr said:

“It was an honour to have Her Royal Highness visit us here at The Whitechapel Haven.

“Our teams provide immediate care, night and day, to those who have been sexually assaulted and are in need of medical attention and emotional support.

“Our staff were delighted to meet The Duchess. Her long-standing support and interest in the service we provide means a lot to staff, as well as many of the clients we see.”

For more information about The Havens, visit the website at thehavens.org.uk.

Children head off on holiday thanks to new oxygen equipment

A new portable oxygen concentrator recently bought by King’s means paediatric patients with respiratory conditions can enjoy holidays without the need for oxygen cylinders.

Patients who require oxygen supplementation usually need to carry cylinders of the gas, which they connect to a valve that regulates the flow.

The cylinders can only be refilled by the companies that supply them and cannot be provided outside of the UK. Due to the pressured environment, they are also usually not allowed to be taken on aeroplanes, making holidaying abroad difficult.

Instead of using oxygen cylinders, the new equipment – which was funded by donations to the hospital’s charity – extracts oxygen naturally present in the air and concentrates it. This means it is light and easy to transport, and patients do not need to worry about the oxygen supply running out.

It can be powered via a mains electricity socket or batteries, allowing patients to be away from an electricity source for hours at a time without the machine running out of power.

The machine can be borrowed by patients being treated by the King’s paediatric outpatient respiratory clinic for up to four weeks free of charge.

Three-year-old Sebastian Colaco, from Kennington in south London, was the first patient to borrow the new equipment. He has a rare form of Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease (ChILD) called Neuroendocrine Hyperplasia of Infancy (NEHI).

This means he suffers from difficulty breathing and low blood oxygen levels, and needs extra oxygen to supplement this.

Sebastian is connected to an oxygen cylinder 24 hours a day via small plastic prongs that sit in his nose. This delivers a higher concentration of oxygen than is found in natural air.

Because of his need for oxygen, his parents Holly and Henry have never taken him abroad, but thanks to the concentrator, they were able to take him to Sicily for a week in July to visit family.

Holly said: “We were previously worried about getting hold of the right oxygen equipment abroad, but the oxygen concentrator we borrowed from King’s was brilliant. It lasts most of the day just on batteries, so we were able to go out and explore the island without worrying about Sebastian’s oxygen supply.

“Sebastian's oxygen tube extends up to 13 metres, so he could run around the garden and the beach and swim in the pool independently.

“Hopefully many more families will also benefit from the freedom the concentrator gave us.”

ChILD is rare, affecting around 3 children per million. The condition NEHI was only classified and described in 2005. Most children with NEHI improve as they get older, and eventually outgrow their need for oxygen therapy.

More patients at King’s taking part in clinical trials

Patients at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are taking part in more research and clinical trials than ever before, according to new figures.

In 2014-15, King’s ran 311 research studies for patients, which represents a 15% increase on the previous year. Clinicians at King’s believe it is their busiest year on record.

The data is published today by the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network. It shows that patients across London are benefiting from new research and clinical trials, which enhances the long-term treatment options for patients. King’s is now among the top hospitals in the country for offering patients opportunities to be involved in research.

Clinicians and researchers at King’s have worked hard to enhance research opportunities for patients, as well as the number and range of clinical trials on offer. King’s staff are also encouraged to talk to patients about research opportunities at the Trust.

This year, King’s has also embarked on one of its biggest ever research projects. The 100,000 Genomes project – which we are delivering as part of the South London NHS Genomic Medicine Centre – involves collecting blood samples from certain patients and their relatives, to increase our understanding of specific illnesses.

Professor Irene Higginson is a Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Director of Research and Innovation at King’s. She is currently leading a national research study from King’s, seeking ways to improve care for patients with serious neurological conditions and their families. She said:

“Research is a vital part of the work we do at King’s. It helps us improve the therapies and care we provide to patients and their families, without whose enthusiasm and support we wouldn’t be able to run research programmes. Staff also play a crucial role in this process, and the hard work of our clinical and research teams has helped us secure this increase. Our results are also consistent with an increase in clinical research activity right across King’s Health Partners AHSC, which is fantastic news.”

Patients taking part in research studies may be the first to benefit from new treatments. Denesha Christie, from south east London, is currently being treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) at King’s, and has been taking part in a cancer trial since her treatment started.

She said: “Being diagnosed with Leukaemia has changed my life forever, chemotherapy is mentally and physically challenging. The last 10 months have been heart breaking but without research into ALL I would not be alive today - therefore I am a huge advocate for research. Cancer research is a developing area and I believe that in the future there will be a cure for cancer without chemotherapy which kills both healthy and cancerous cells. This can only be achieved through research.”

Professor Stephen Devereux, Consultant Haematologist at King’s and Clinical Director of the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network: South London, added:

“It’s great to see that there is an increase in the number of research studies across London NHS Trusts. It’s important that we try to continue increasing the participation of patients in research as this is one of the ways to improve the health and wealth of the nation for the future.”

King’s is part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre, a pioneering collaboration between King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.

A clean sweep for Bromley

The PRUH and Orpington Hospital go smoke-free

On 1 October, the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and Orpington Hospital went completely smoke-free.

This means that smoking within the hospital grounds – including the use of e-cigarettes – is not permitted for patients or visitors. Staff are already prohibited from smoking at the sites. The introduction of the policy, which is also in force at Beckenham Beacon Hospital, means all Bromley hospitals are now smoke-free environments.

To mark the launch, the PRUH joined forces with Bromley Healthcare, which provides smoking cessation clinics, to give out information at the hospital about the help and support available to those who want to quit smoking.

Dr Bhashkar Mukherjee, respiratory consultant at the PRUH, said, “This is an important step in making our hospital sites safer, cleaner and healthier environments for patients, visitors and staff.

“Our smoke-free policy will also focus on providing extra support to patients and staff who want to give up smoking.”

Nurse Sam McMahon, a junior sister at the PRUH, gave up smoking on 7 September. Sam said, “I used to smoke 20-a-day, but decided it was time to give up. I felt spurred on by the hospital going smoke-free, and by the health benefits of not smoking. It’s only been a few weeks but I feel positive and now find the smell of cigarettes really unpleasant. If I find myself struggling, I’ll contact the stop smoking service, but so far so good.”

Last year, the Bromley Stop Smoking Service helped 1,310 smokers to quit smoking. The total number of residents smoking has reduced from 18 per cent in 2013 to 16 per cent in 2014, one of the lowest rates in London and across the country.

Councillor Robert Evans, Executive Councillor for Care and Health Services, said, “The dangers of smoking are well documented. It is the number one cause of preventable death in our country and results in more deaths than the next six causes combined and kills nearly 80,000 in Britain each year. One in two long-term smokers die from a smoking related illness. We are encouraging residents who want to give up, to take up the Stoptober challenge and contact the Stop Smoking Service to find out about the many treatment options available to help.”

The PRUH and Orpington Hospital going smoke-free tied in with the start of Stoptober, the 28-day challenge to stop smoking for the month of October, and new Government legislation, which prevents people from smoking in cars when there are children inside.

DNA Down’s syndrome test on the NHS could save lives

Offering pregnant women a DNA test for Down’s syndrome on the NHS would reduce the dependency on invasive tests, a study shows.

Offering pregnant women a DNA test for Down’s syndrome on the NHS would reduce the dependency on invasive tests and potentially save the lives of unborn babies, a study shows.

The research – led by Professor Kypros Nicolaides and his team at King’s College Hospital and King’s College London – is published in the Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology journal today (Monday 26 October).

In the NHS study, of those pregnant women judged to be at high risk for carrying a baby with Down’s syndrome, a far greater number opted for the ‘cell-free’ DNA test compared to those requesting invasive testing. 60% of women in the study chose the cell-free DNA test, compared to 38% opting for invasive testing.

At present, a woman’s risk of carrying a baby with Down’s syndrome is based on an assessment of her age, the level of hormones in her blood and the results of a ‘nuchal scan’, which measures fluid collection at the unborn baby’s neck.

Women deemed to be high risk following this ‘combined assessment’ are given the option of further tests, which involve using a needle to take a sample of the placenta (chorionic villous sampling, or CVS) or the fluid that surrounds the baby (amniocentesis). CVS or amniocentesis are still the only tests that can provide a definitive diagnosis of Down’s syndrome, but both carry a risk of miscarriage.

The study involved 11,692 women with single pregnancies treated at two different NHS hospitals: King’s College Hospital, London, and the Medway Maritime Hospital, Kent. A small proportion of these women (395) were found to be at high risk for Down’s syndrome.

The cell-free DNA test – which involves a far less-invasive blood test of the pregnant woman – is a highly reliable test for Down’s syndrome, but is currently only available privately and costs hundreds of pounds.

The results of the study suggest that the best approach to screening for Down’s syndrome is to continue to offer the combined test to all pregnant women, as is standard currently, but to begin offering the cell-free DNA test to all women judged to be at an increased risk.

As well as showing the cell-free DNA test is the preferred option for pregnant women, the study also provides evidence that the test can be easily incorporated into routine clinical care within the NHS. Introducing the cell-free DNA test on the NHS would lead to a higher proportion of affected pregnancies being identified, resulting in a small increase in the overall cost to the NHS, but a major decrease in invasive tests.

Crucially, the study also showed that although Down’s syndrome could be detected in more babies, this did not translate into a higher number of pregnancy terminations. Many women want to know if their baby is affected so that they can make an informed decision for themselves and their family.

Professor Kypros Nicolaides, Director of the Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine at King’s College Hospital, and Professor of Fetal Medicine at King’s College London, said:

“Our research puts the case for offering the cell-free DNA test on the NHS. This would improve the performance of screening, and reduce the number of unnecessary invasive tests and miscarriages.”

King’s College Hospital and King’s College London are both part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre, a pioneering collaboration between the hospital and university, as well as Guy’s and St Thomas’ and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.

King’s College Hospital welcomes new Non-Executive Director

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to announce that Alix Pryde has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director.

Dr Pryde is Head of Consumer Services and Innovation at Vodafone Ltd, where she has worked since 2014. As a member of the Vodafone UK leadership team, her focus is developing and delivering new products and revenue streams, and ensuring an excellent customer experience.

Prior to this, Dr Pryde worked at the BBC for 12 years, initially in strategy roles, including Head of News Strategy; then as Chief Adviser to the Chief Operating Officer; and latterly as Director of Distribution, where she managed the day-to-day delivery of the BBC’s TV and radio programmes to the nation, developed its distribution strategy and led various transformation programmes including the BBC’s role in TV Digital Switchover.

Commenting on the appointment, Lord Bob Kerslake, Chair of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said, “I am delighted to welcome Alix Pryde to the Board at King’s.

“Her considerable expertise in organisational transformation will be vitally important as the Trust looks towards new and innovative ways of working; whilst her experience in guiding customers and employees through technological change will help ensure patients continue to benefit from improvements in care quality and efficiency.”

Of her appointment, Alix Pryde said, “I am honoured to be appointed to the Board at King’s. I’m a huge supporter of the Trust and the people who work there.

“King’s has been my neighbour since I moved to Camberwell 15 years ago and it feels very much part of my community. Having been born and raised in Bromley, both the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and King’s has been there for me and for three generations of my family at so many important times, happy and sad, playing a vital role in looking after us.

“That’s why I’m keen to do what I can to give something back. I look forward to working with the Executive and other Non-Executive Directors, and I will bring my experience of managing large projects and budgets to help steer the work of the Trust as it evolves and adapts to changing demands for its services.”

Dr Pryde holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge and was made a Fellow of the Institute of Physics in 2011. She won the Shell Women of the Future Media Award in 2008 and was also named one of Management Today’s 35 Women Under 25 to watch.

Alix Pryde officially took up her role as Non-Executive Director at King’s on 1 November 2015.

Colin Gentile joins King’s as new Chief Financial Officer

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Colin Gentile as its new Chief Financial Officer.

Colin joins King’s from Worcester Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and has also held finance director level positions in a number of NHS Trusts.

He is a professional accountant by background, and has also worked in local government.

Colin has a strong track record of helping NHS Trusts generate savings and improve their financial performance, whilst also helping to protect standards of patient care and frontline services.

King’s employs over 13,000 staff and provides services for more than 1.5 million patients. The Trust has grown in recent years, and now runs services across multiple hospital sites in south east London and Kent.

Speaking of his appointment, Colin said:

“I am excited to be joining the team at King’s, and look forward to helping the Trust as it faces the challenges and opportunities ahead. Having worked in the NHS for a number of years, I know how highly King’s is regarded by NHS staff and patients alike, so I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Nick Moberly, Chief Executive at King’s, added:

“I am delighted Colin will be joining us next year as Chief Financial Officer. This is an important position, and his experience will be crucial in helping us ensure we deliver services that are high quality, patient focussed, but also cost-effective. I am looking forward to him joining the team.”

Colin will take up his role at King’s in January 2016. Alan Goldsman, interim Chief Financial Officer, will continue in his current role at the Trust until then.

King's expands international development

New projects in India and Dubai

Following on from the successful opening of King’s College Hospital Clinics in Abu Dhabi last year, King’s College Hospital through its commercial arm KCH Management Ltd., has announced two further international projects, one in Dubai and one in India.

Dubai

The Dubai programme has been developed in conjunction with Ashmore Group plc, a specialist emerging markets investment management company, and will consist of an 80-100 bed hospital – King’s College Hospital Dubai - and several clinics which will all be fully integrated with King’s College Hospital’s facilities in London. The hospital will be located in the ‘Dubai Hills’ community.

The first of the facilities to open will be a number of clinics towards the end of 2016 and in 2017, in prime locations across Dubai. This will be followed by the multi-specialty King’s College Hospital Dubai scheduled to open in 2018.

The hospital will offer four main specialties - Paediatrics, Endocrinology, Orthopaedics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology - as well as other acute and general medical services. In line with the existing operating model of the Abu Dhabi clinic, all staff and services will be fully integrated with King’s College Hospital London to ensure provision of quality, evidence-based healthcare to UAE and regional consumers, with a significant proportion of experienced clinicians joining King’s College Hospital Dubai from the UK.

India

In India, King’s has signed a deal with Indo UK Healthcare Private Ltd to create an Indo-UK Institute of Health in New Chandigarh. Backed by £100m of private investment this project is to create a new King’s College Hospital in New Chandigarh. Phase one of the project comprises a 250 bed hospital, trauma centre and day surgery centre. Phase two is planned to expand the hospital to 500 beds.

This is the first of a proposed eleven new Indo-UK Institutes for Health that will be developed across India which, when fully implemented, would amount to a £1bn investment into India’s healthcare system, accompanied by strategic clinical and training partnerships with the UK’s finest NHS organisations, universities and private sector companies.

To this end, the UK and Indian Prime Ministers have announced a Government to Government Implementation Taskforce to help drive forward the delivery of the Indo-UK Institutes for Health and to foster greater collaboration.

Both projects will be delivered by KCH Management Ltd.

Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Life Sciences George Freeman said of the Indian project: "It's great news that King's College NHS Hospital has agreed to be the strategic clinical partner for the first Indo-UK Institute for Health in New Chandigarh. This £100m collaboration - a world first - is a sign of the huge global export market for the UK Healthcare and Life Sciences sector.

“I would encourage other UK companies, academic institutions and NHS organisations to work with Healthcare UK to engage in the Indo UK Institutes for Health project. As one of the fastest developing economies in the world, with over 1 billion people, India is fast becoming a vast market for UK health services and technology."

Lord Kerslake, Chair of King’s College Hospital London said: “We are extremely proud to announce our plans to expand our overseas development, following on from the successful launch of our clinic in Abu Dhabi last year.

“All our operations in the UAE and in India will be fully integrated with King’s College Hospital London. India and Dubai are very important markets and healthcare destinations and we are excited to be sharing King’s skills and experience in these exciting new international collaborations.“

Notes to editors

Indo UK Healthcare Private ltd is a company set up in India for the project. Indo UK supports and facilitates Healthcare links between the United Kingdom and India. It leads a number of healthcare projects and healthcare work force plans between private and government healthcare organisations and facilitates the development of India -United Kingdom healthcare city projects in India.

KCH Management Ltd is the commercial consultancy, marketing and business Development Company of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and provides healthcare expertise both in the UK and internationally to Government bodies and the private sector. It acts as the Trust’s operations entity for participation in strategic business alliances.

King's is named College Employer Partner of the Year

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been named College Employer Partner of the Year by Bromley College at its annual awards ceremony

King’s has 20 apprentices from Bromley College across its sites at Denmark Hill, the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and Orpington Hospital, and was given the award on 5 November in recognition of the work the Trust does with its apprentices.

The apprentices, who are either learning in business administration or health and social care, spend four days at one of the hospital sites developing their functional skills and one day in college studying for the necessary qualifications.

Stephan Spencer-Adams, Lead Internal Verifier & QCF Advisor at King’s, attended the ceremony to collect the award which was presented by the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Kim Botting.

Stephan said: “It was an honour to collect the award on behalf of the Trust. I am proud of the work that we do with apprentices at King’s and the opportunities that we the Trust can offer.

“Apprenticeships allow people to work towards qualifications while being in a full-time job, and are a practical alternative to university courses or other higher education options.”

Over 170 guests attended the ceremony including Councillor Peter Fortune, the education portfolio holder for Bromley Council, who gave a speech on education and skills provision within the borough.

King’s is an accredited centre for apprenticeships and offers courses in five key areas. Qualified apprentices can move to further education or a wide range of full-time roles. A full apprenticeship can be completed in a minimum of two-and-a-half years and over 80% of apprentices at King’s go straight into full-time work.

King’s neonatal unit stars in new BBC radio documentary

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at King’s College Hospital is to be the subject of a half-hour radio documentary, broadcast on BBC Radio 4

Recorded primarily at King’s (Denmark Hill), the documentary – called ‘The Incubator’ – aims to highlight what happens when a baby is born unexpectedly early – something that affects around 10% of the 6,000 babies born at King’s every year.

It looks at how specialists care for premature babies, and the potentially life-threatening complications that can come from being born before they are ready.

A baby that is born before 37 weeks’ gestation is classed as premature.

The programme focuses on King’s patient Jack Jenkins, who was born prematurely in December 2013 along with his twin brother Harry. Sadly Harry died shortly after birth, and Jack has ongoing health issues as a result of his prematurity, including being blind.

In the programme, his parents Julie and James talk about the shock of their twins’ early birth, when they weighed just 724g and 670g, and the struggle to come to terms with what might lie ahead.

The documentary also features a number of King’s staff members from the NICU team, who range from doctors and nurses to surgeons and breastfeeding specialists.

They discuss how premature babies are cared for on the unit; the sometimes difficult decisions they have to make; and how they can also support parents during such an unexpected time.

Several other parents of King’s NICU patients also share their experiences of giving birth prematurely and their babies’ long-term treatment on the unit.

You can listen to ‘The Incubator’ on Monday 30 November at 11am on BBC Radio 4. It will also be available to listen back to shortly after broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 website.

King’s first to use portable ultrasound in medical education

Portable ultrasound is the diagnostic tool of the future, says King's doctor

King’s College Hospital has become the first hospital in the country to trial the use of portable ultrasound devices alongside the traditional stethoscope when teaching medical students.

The stethoscope, used for centuries to listen to the internal sounds of a human body, is the standard diagnostic tool in medicine. Until now, medics have used the stethoscope to make an initial judgement but in many cases other tests, such as x-rays and CT scans, are required to finalise a diagnosis. This extra testing increases the time it takes to treat patients, and can expose them to unnecessary radiation.

Undergraduates at the south London hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) are now learning the importance of combining sounds and images when making a diagnosis. Although medics have been using large ultrasound machines for many years, this is the first time handheld devices have been issued to medical students to support their clinical assessments.

Under the supervision of a consultant, the handheld devices are helping students to diagnose a range of serious conditions including abnormal fluid in the chest, bleeding in the abdomen and undiagnosed heart conditions. Portable ultrasound is also helping improve the accuracy of medical procedures such as drip insertions.

Dr Mamoun Abu-Habsa, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at King’s College Hospital, who is leading on the pilot said, “Portable ultrasound is the diagnostic tool of the future. When a patient is very unwell, being able to see as well as hear what’s happening aids a physician’s ability to make an accurate and speedy diagnosis. Evidence shows the earlier you can diagnose and administer treatment, the better the outcome for the patient.”

The ultrasound devices, which are being trialled for three-months, are proving to be a valuable learning tool. Aminah Ahmad, a fourth-year medical student at King’s College London, said, “I am developing skills that other students don't get any exposure to at this stage. Using the ultrasound device enables me to see what is happening inside the patient's body to help build a picture of what is happening to them. It is improving my confidence and I know that I will take these skills forward as a doctor - it is great that I have been able to start so early.”

There has already been speculation as to whether the days of the stethoscope – synonymous with the medical profession – are numbered.

Dr Abu-Habsa added, “The stethoscope is a valuable tool to a physician. Although it won’t become entirely redundant, we need to combine its use with emerging technology so we are using the most efficient tools, fit for modern-day medicine.

“When teaching the next generation of doctors, it’s vital that we embed innovative diagnostic skills right from the start so they can be developed over the course of a doctor’s training and utilised throughout their career.”

Erik Nordkamp joins King's as new Non-Executive Director

Erik Nordkamp has joined King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as a Non-Executive Director.

Mr Nordkamp, who is UK Managing Director for Pfizer Ltd, took up his role at King’s on 1 January.

Mr Nordkamp has been Managing Director for Pfizer Ltd since February 2015, having worked at the company in other senior roles since 2010. These roles include President and Managing Director, Greece, Cyprus and Malta (2012-15) and Regional Strategy Lead (2010-12).

Prior to this, Mr Nordkamp worked at Eli Lilly and Company as European Senior Director of Transformation and Lean Six Sigma. He has an MSc in Biomedical Sciences from Radboud University, Nijmegen (1992) and an MBA from the Erasmus University Rotterdam (1999).

He is originally from Holland but lives and works in the UK. He is married with two children.

Commenting on Mr Nordkamp’s appointment, Lord Bob Kerslake, Chair of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“Erik brings a wealth of experience to the role. His track record in business and organisational transformation speaks for itself, and helps to strengthen the King’s Board at a critical time for the Trust. I’m delighted he has decided to join the Board, and look forward to working with him.”

Erik Nordkamp said: “I am honoured and delighted to join such a respected and internationally recognised health care organisation and look forward to contributing to its future success.”

Mr Nordkamp’s role as a Non-Executive Director at King’s will involve a monthly commitment of up to three days. He will continue in his current role as UK Managing Director for Pfizer Ltd.

King's appoints Jane Farrell as new Chief Operating Officer

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Jane Farrell as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Jane will join King’s in April from Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WSHFT), where she is currently Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to the formation of WSHFT in April 2009, Jane served as Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive at Royal West Sussex NHS Trust, and Chief Operating Officer at Ealing Hospital NHS Trust; an executive director for eleven years combined.

Jane is a dual qualified nurse who ultimately specialised in paediatrics and critical care, and held several professional leadership roles before moving full time into NHS management.

In a senior management capacity she worked at several London hospitals, including Great Ormond Street, St Mary’s, Chelsea & Westminster and Charing Cross.

The Chief Operating Officer has a crucial role to play in the day-to-day running and performance of Trust services. Jane will also be a voting member of the Trust Board.

Nick Moberly, Chief Executive at King’s, welcomed Jane’s appointment:

“I am delighted to welcome Jane to King’s. I am confident she will make a real impact from day one. Jane has demonstrable experience of working with partners, and transforming services with a focus on quality and improvement; this will be crucial as we push for better services for patients across all our hospitals.”

Speaking of her appointment, Jane said:

“I am delighted to be joining the team at King’s – it’s fantastic to be joining a Trust with such a long and illustrious history, at such a pivotal time. I look forward to working with clinical and managerial colleagues in meeting the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Jeremy Tozer will continue in his role as Interim Chief Operating Officer at King’s until Jane’s arrival in April.