Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Say hello to to clinical research nurse Alice McKain 👋 What is the role of your team? 🗨️ We conduct and manage clinical trials with people living with HIV. This can include everything from Phase 1 trials, where new treatments are used for the first time in humans, through to data collection studies. Tell us about a typical day 🗨️ We run a number of trials, some of which are testing new medicines, while others are more of a comparison between existing gold standards of treatment. As some of our patients will be off their usual treatment, it’s really important that we see them regularly for blood tests to ensure their safety throughout the trial. We mostly have clinics in the morning and then data entries in the afternoon. What’s the best thing about your job? 🗨️ HIV was once an incurable and fatal disease – however by working on clinical trials, including those investigating potential cures, I’m playing a small part in the global effort to eradicate this condition. I get to contribute to new and exciting treatments, witness first-hand how they can improve people’s lives, and hopefully achieve the goal of curing HIV. #TeamGSTT #HIV

Happy New Year from everyone at Guy's and St Thomas' 🎉 As we start to plan what we'll be sharing with you this year, we took a look back at what you enjoyed reading the most in 2024. Here are your top 5 posts: 1. Trialling the use of electric drones in a medical delivery service https://lnkd.in/eKRw4Y-7 2. Evelina London’s Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales, opening our state-of-the-art Children's Day Surgery Unit. https://lnkd.in/erFhjx2w 3. Welcoming our new Chief People Officer Crystal Akass https://lnkd.in/etw-Stiv 4. A new triage system in our emergency department https://lnkd.in/e7MhhGcN 5. Our anti-racism statement https://lnkd.in/etGY9u5A What topics do you want to see more of in 2025? 🤔 Let us know in the comments. 👇 #YearInReview #Feedback #TopContent #HappyNewYear

Say hello to newly elected governor Dominic Shaw 👋 Governors play a key role in representing the views of our patients, public and staff members, ensuring the Trust’s services meet the needs of the communities we serve. Dominic Shaw stood for election earlier this year and is one of 10 public governors. He will be in the role for 3 years. Dom, from Vauxhall, said: “I walk past St Thomas' Hospital on my way to work every day so I know the value that the Trust provides to the community. “Guy's and St Thomas' has done a lot for my family, most recently for my dad who received cancer treatment, so I wanted to give something back.” Dom has a lot of experience holding senior leadership to account, both as a union representative and as a school governor. He is also a mental health first aider, a regular blood donor and volunteered with St John Ambulance during the pandemic to support the vaccination effort. He said: “As a governor I will push for youth and mental health services to grow. I also want to see an increase in the number of active members of the Trust, especially young members.” The public sector consultant added: “I am committed to increasing transparency of decision-making and increasing the community services that are delivered.” If you are interested in becoming a governor at Guy's and St Thomas', visit our website: https://lnkd.in/exdqMhcV #TeamGSTT #CouncilOfGovernors #GetInvolved Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals

This month our Centre of Research for Nurses and Midwives (known as ACORN) held its second annual showcase, celebrating nurse and midwife-led research across Guy’s and St Thomas’ and its partner universities. Dr Joanne Cull, Head of Nurse and Midwife-Led Research at Guy's and St Thomas', has shared a write up of the day👇 #TeamGSTT #Research #Nursing #Midwifery

This year we published our strategy to 2030 along with a new set of values to guide us in everything we do. Find out how and why we developed our values from senior organisational development consultant Hendrika Santer Bream. 👇 #TeamGSTT #OrganisationalDevelopment #OurValues

A reminder to register your organ donation decision 💙

Christmas elves have been spreading cheer across Guy’s and St Thomas’ by delivering gifts, meals and carol concerts to patients in hospital over the festive period. Today, on Christmas day, patients in hospital will receive a gift, alongside a special Christmas lunch. Spreading the joy beyond the hospital, patients who receive a community visit in Lambeth and Southwark today will also be given a present. Thank you to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, Evelina London Children’s Charity, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity, Brompton Fountain and the Friends of Guy's and St Thomas' for their generous support. Read more about the festive season at Guy's and St Thomas' 🎄https://ow.ly/7ecV50UuarO #TeamGSTT #Christmas #Festive

Thank you to our colleagues who are working over the festive season and for everything you do to care for our patients and each other during this busy time. If you are celebrating, Hanukkah Sameach and a very Merry Christmas. We wish everyone a happy and peaceful new year. #TeamGSTT #NHS #OurValues Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals

Thank you to the Evelina London Play team who arranged a festive boat ride for patients and their families.🎄 On board, each patient and their family received a gift from Santa, whilst the Play team and Uber Boat by Thames Clipper crew joined forces to sing songs and play games. 🎅 Sue Pruden, play service manager of the therapeutic play service, said: “In hospital, families don’t often have the opportunity to spend time together. Experiences like this, that the whole family can enjoy and create memories together, are especially invaluable at Christmas time. “We are so grateful to the Port of London Authority, Thames Clippers and Evelina London Children’s Charity for making this magical day happen. We care for children from across the south east and UK and, for some of them, this is their first time seeing the sights of the city.” Read the full story: https://ow.ly/FeHs50UtWcP #EvelinaLondon #Christmas #PlaySpecialists

Did you know we are the only NHS trust in London to offer a dental nursing apprenticeship? The apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity for aspiring dental nurses to earn a nationally recognised qualification alongside receiving on-the-job training, all whilst being paid. The programme takes in 10 new people every 2 years. During the 18-month course, apprentices learn key skills across paediatric and adult dentistry care, working alongside qualified dental nurses with specialist knowledge and skills to support patients. After completing the course, apprentices come away as level 3 registered dental nurses, and are offered available employment opportunities at the Trust. Salamatu AbdulRahman recently qualified as a dental nurse after completing the apprenticeship. Since her 3 children have grown up, Salamatu decided to move into the career she always wanted, with day-shifts that worked around her schedule. Salamatu, who lives in north London, said: “I am a practical learner so focused on looking for an apprenticeship rather than applying for a degree. “I hadn’t been in education for a while so at first I thought, can I even do it? But we practised in the clinic, and I had so much support. It was so interesting, and it pushed me every day.” Since qualifying, Salamatu is enjoying her new role. She said: “I love being there for my patients. Every time I help someone I feel happy in myself, and in the team’s work.” Salamatu has also applied to be a clinical mentor, to support the next generation of apprentices. She said: “My advice to future apprentices – be open minded when you start, and don’t be discouraged. There is no question too silly, and there is always support to help you in the clinics.” 40% of dental nursing apprentices go on to develop their career further, including going into senior nursing roles and becoming clinical nurse specialists. Samantha Salaver, head of nursing for dental services, helped set up the apprenticeship 7 years ago. She said: “It is fantastic to see how successful the dental nursing apprenticeship programme has been, and how our students are thriving. The programme allows us to nurture homegrown talent and open up more doors to dental nursing.” #TeamGSTT #Aprenticeships #Dental