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The newsletter for Trust members with an interest in heart and lung care
March 2022
Long COVID: New review highlights impact on cardiovascular system
The wide-ranging effects of Long COVID and the associated issues for healthcare providers have been revealed in a new review of the major studies into the condition, co-authored by a consultant cardiologist at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.
Published in the European Heart Journal, the review specifically highlights the impact of Long COVID on the cardiovascular system.
According to one of its co-authors, Professor Thomas Lüscher, Director of Research, Education and Development at Royal Brompton and Harefield Clinical Group, this is “the first review to summarise the diverse evidence on Long COVID and provide a balanced picture of this important issue.”
Professor Lüscher said: “The pandemic brought not only acute illness and death, it became a chronic disease of many organs, not just the lungs, but the heart, brain and kidney, among others.”
To read the full article, click here.
New clinical research facility to open at Harefield Hospital
A new clinical research facility will be created at Harefield Hospital dedicated to seeing research patients at the hospital, thanks to funding from the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity.
Research patients can require longer hospital appointments than regular clinical patients, which means that it can be difficult to find space for them as the same room could be used for more clinical appointments. By creating a dedicated space for research patients, the hospital will be able to create more research appointments. “This will allow us to significantly expand both the quality and quantity of life-changing research conducted at this world-famous hospital,” Lyndon Bridgewater, associate director of research and development, said.
Richard Bowyer, chief executive of Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity, said: “We are very pleased to help Harefield Hospital expand its research facilities. This new centre will mean that the hospital can do more research that will help many patients in the long term and maintain Harefield’s position as a world leading cardiac and respiratory hospital.”
Harefield Hospital has a niche population of heart and lung patients, which is valuable to researchers. Harefield’s research staff want to study a whole range of heart and lung conditions and there are currently over 50 active research projects at Harefield Hospital.
To read more, click here.
School of Bronchoscopy showcases simulation first at conference
The School of Bronchoscopy at Royal Brompton recently hosted its first international training conference for budding bronchoscopists, creating an immersive experience with exciting “anatomically accurate” simulators.
The simulators were developed in-house by Dr Justin Garner, consultant in respiratory medicine, Mr Robin Hardie, mechanical and design technologist, Clinical Engineering Department, and collaborators from computing, engineering, film, and art backgrounds, providing the optimal experience.
Highlights included an anatomically correct and tissue-like tracheobronchial tree that responds to ventilation, cardiac pulsation (transmitted from a ‘beating’ mechanical heart), and can bleed and simulate various endobronchial pathologies, including tumours.
Simulation is crucial for trainees to develop the necessary skills before approaching the patient for real, he added.
Dr Garner and Professor Pallav Shah, consultant respiratory physician at Royal Brompton Hospital, delivered the welcome address at the conference, which featured speakers including James Tonkin and Dr Christopher Orton of the Respiratory Medicine department.
Annual Arrhythmia Summit returns to in-person event
The annual London Arrhythmia Summit returns this year as an in-person event, bringing together cardiology experts from organisations across the world to discuss the latest advances in cardiology and electrophysiology, including important new studies, changes to guidelines, and innovation in arrhythmia management and treatment.
Now in its fourth year, the summit was launched in 2018 by Royal Brompton and Harefield arrhythmia specialists Dr Shouvik Haldar, Dr Wajid Hussain, Dr Vias Markides and Dr Tom Wong, who sought to provide more high-quality learning opportunities for clinicians in the UK.
The summit – which takes place on 1 April – is open to anyone with an interest in heart rhythm, including cardiologists, electrophysiologists, nurses, trainees or those considering specialising in cardiology, and allied health professionals.
For the full event programme, and to book a place (free for Royal Brompton and Harefield and Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff), visit the Arrhythmia Alliance website.
Apollo update: news from the team developing our Electronic Health Record System
In building our electronic health record (EHR) system, Apollo, we have brought together staff and patients from across Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (including Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals) and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to ensure we build a system that will improve the way we deliver care and patient experience, and that will enable as many patients and staff to experience its benefits.
As part of the programme we will be introducing a digital application for patients to access their records and manage their appointments. We have formed a panel of ‘patient influencers’ from both Trusts and the local communities who have been supporting staff with co-designing these platforms. Their contributions will ensure we provide technology that addresses the needs for patients, offers choice and provides them with a modern and engaging experience.
With the support of our staff and patients we are progressing through the building of the system and applications. The next step will be to test the technology and design the training we will need ahead of our ‘go-live’ in April 2023. We look forward to updating members on our progress in future issues.
To find out more, about the programme and the patient panel visit:
www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/apollo
Meet Aatish Shah, one of our Peer Leaders
We’re pleased to introduce you to Aatish Shah who recently participated in the Peer Leadership Development Programme run by the Personalised Care Group, NHS England and NHS Improvement.
We had a chance to catch up with Aatish following the course and here is what he shared.
I have been a cardiac patient of Harefield Hospital since 2020. I am fortunate to have benefited from excellent care and some remarkable staff for which I am very grateful.
What motivated you to participate in the Peer leadership programme?
I was made aware about the Peer Leadership Development Programme (PLDP) by a member of staff. The concept of personalised care and how it can make a positive difference in your life or for someone you care about/for(?), sounded interesting. I decided to join this personal development programme to look for ways in which I could contribute to the NHS.
Has your perspective of the NHS changed since taking the course? If yes, how?
This course made me aware about the complexity of the NHS than what is usually believed and the significant changes it is undergoing. As part of the course, I had a chance to listen to the stories of the other participants, their different experiences, all of which has enriched my vision. This has opened my ways of seeing situations and solutions, as well made me realise that my lived experience can be helpful for others.
To find out more about the Peer Leadership Development Programme, visit our website.
Governors elections 2022
If you have an interest in helping us continue to deliver the best possible care to our patients, then please consider standing for election in the upcoming Council of Governor elections.
Our governors play a key role in representing the views of our patient, public and staff members, ensuring that our services meet the needs of our communities.
Upcoming elections will be for the following governor seats:
1 seat in the patient carer class
2 seats in the public constituency area around Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals
1 seat in the public constituency area around Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals
1 seat in the public constituency area, the Rest of England and Wales
If you are registered as a member in one of the constituencies noted above, we will be contacting you with further details about how you can participate in the election process.
We are hosting a Governors Awareness session on Friday, 11 March 2022 and invite anyone interested to join this session to learn more about the role of governors and the election process, including the timetable.
For more information and to register, please the events section below.
Member events
All member events are free
Governor awareness: understanding the role of governor and how you can stand for election
11 March
11am – 12pm
To register for this online event, Click here to reserve your place.
If you are interested in getting further involved in supporting the Trust, but are unsure about what it means to be a governor and any skills required, we encourage you to attend this event. You will learn more about the election process and hear from current governors about their experience of being a governor.
April & May events
Look out for an email about our next few events, including
Focus on Heart Failure
Improving pain management for people with severe mental illness event
Our events, your words
Here’s what members said about our recent event on physiotherapy and diet:
‘The speakers were interesting and informative. Another benefit is more a psychological one in that sessions like this gives me a feeling that I am not alone and there are a number of other people with similar disabilities.’
‘I learnt so much about the links between nutrition and illness, absolutely first class…….thank you.’
‘I found the information about nutrition and diet particularly useful as my partner has poor appetite and feels rough most days.’
To view recordings of past member events, please click here
An update from Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity
Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals do incredible work caring for patients of all ages, but it’s hard being in hospital when you’re young. That’s why Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity have launched our Young Patients’ appeal, to aid the hospitals in their work helping children and teenagers lead happy, healthy lives.
One of the projects donations will go towards is funding a specialist paediatric physiotherapist who helps babies and children recover quicker from surgery, optimise their health and improve their quality of life. Chloe Worger, a paediatric physiotherapist at Royal Brompton loves working with young patients, many of whom have lung conditions, and she has a great rapport with the children.
Recently Chloe took us through a day in her life. You can find out what Chloe gets up to here.
We are also raising funds for the Foulis Ward Education Project, which helps with the education of, and provides careers advice to, patients aged 16-24, who have multiple and long stays in hospital. The project helps them keep on top of their studies, take exams and explore work options suited to their health.
It is vital that we raise the funds to support these two projects, to keep the hospitals at the leading edge of young patient care. You can find out more, donate and fundraise via the Charity’s website here.
To learn more about your Trust membership, share your feedback or update your contact details, please contact Nancy Dickinson at [email protected]
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