In this section, you can read the news articles published during the year.
New Alcohol Liaison Nurse for the Trust
Published: Thursday, 14 January 2016
A new service has been introduced at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals to help tackle the growing problem of alcohol misuse and alcohol related health harm.
Second Cancer Health and Wellbeing Day
Published: Monday, 25 January 2016
The local NHS in North West Surrey is holding a second Health and Wellbeing Day, aimed at providing help and advice for cancer patients, their families and carers.
Delivering the Best Care for Older Patients
Published: Thursday, 28 January 2016
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has selected a project from North West Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on care of older people as one of only four development sites in the second phase of the RCP's Future Hospital Programme.
Next steps for proposed hospital merger
Published: Thursday, 28 January 2016
Earlier today (28th January) the Boards of both Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust approved the full business case and financial plans for their proposed merger. The decision was made by each Board independently at their respective board meetings.
It’s all changing at Ashford and St Peter’s
Published: Thursday, 18 February 2016
A new mobile app has been created at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals to spread the word about, and adopt a simple approach to, quality improvement as part of the ‘Be The Change’ programme.
Published: Monday, 07 March 2016
The Boards of Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals and Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts have decided to pause their proposed merger planning to allow more time to focus on the financial position.
Published: Tuesday, 29 March 2016
Last week saw a variety of activities at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals to promote and raise awareness of the importance of nutrition and hydration for patients in hospital. Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals joined forces with their catering providers, OCS.
Published: Tuesday, 29 March 2016
As schools begin to wind down and children start looking forward to their Easter Holidays, life in the Paediatric A&E department at St Peter’s Hospital is as busy as ever; in fact the team have seen an exceptionally high number of worried parents attending with their children in recent weeks.
‘Twiddlemuffs’ and ‘Fidgetblankets’
Published: Wednesday, 30 March 2016
‘Twiddlemuffs’ and ‘Fidgetblankets’ are imaginative creations helping Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts’ dementia patients’ stay in hospital less anxious.
First Steps Day Nursery’s, Hayley Phillips, shortlisted for Apprentice of the year
Published: Thursday, 07 April 2016
First Steps Day Nursery’s Hayley Phillips, an Early Years Practitioner, based at Ashford Hospital was shortlisted for the HEKSS ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award, which seeks to acknowledge and celebrate an apprentice’s exceptional contribution to their workplace.
Trust shortlisted for Quality of Care Award
Published: Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for the 2016 CHKS Top Hospitals Quality of Care award, for demonstrating a commitment to delivering outstanding performance in providing a safe hospital environment for its patients.
Owl room refurbishment to reduce paediatric anxiety
Published: Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Beautiful colourful images of Momentum children’s charity’s Mo the Owl mascot and his friends now adorn the walls of the Isolation Cubicle in the Paediatric Unit at St Peter’s Hospital.
Trust prepares for two full walk out strikes
Published: Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been making preparations for the two full walk out strikes proposed by the British Medical Association (BMA) next week on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th April from 8am to 5pm. This means that the Junior Doctors will not be providing emergency cover as they have done on previous strike days.
Trust ranked 3rd in the country for advanced endometriosis surgery
Published: Thursday, 05 May 2016
The Trust’s Centre for Endometriosis and Minimally Invasive Gynaecology (CEMIG) is the third busiest in the country for the number of advanced endometriosis surgery performed in 2015.
New Director of Research and Development at the Trust
Published: Monday, 09 May 2016
Professor Pankaj Sharma was appointed as the new Director of Research and Development at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on 8th April 2016 after Dr Riyaz Kaba stepped down to concentrate on his clinical and research commitments.
Trust named as a CHKS Top Hospital for the fourth year running
Published: Monday, 16 May 2016
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the CHKS Top Hospitals for 2016, an accolade awarded to the 40 top performing Trusts (as measured by CHKS), for the fourth time in a row.
‘Pretend mum’ helps maternity team practice for emergencies
Published: Tuesday, 17 May 2016
The maternity department at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a £30,000 government grant to buy a new life-like birthing simulator called SimMom. The realistic mannequin has accurate anatomy and functionality, complete with a ‘bump’ and a birthing baby inside, so the team can practice different labour and birth scenarios.
Hospitals go ‘Inner Space’ to diagnose patients with small bowel conditions
Published: Monday, 23 May 2016
Recently, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals launched a new procedure called Capsule Endoscopy. This uses state of the art technology going ‘inner space’ to diagnose abnormalities in the small bowel, where traditional endoscopes and colonoscopes cannot reach.
Celebrating International Nurses Day
Published: Tuesday, 24 May 2016
Making a mark on International Nurses Day, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust celebrated their fabulous nursing and midwifery staff, by conducting their very own special event - ‘Pride in Nursing and Midwifery Day’ - with over 140 people attending.
Huge refurbishment project gets underway at St Peter's Hospital
Published: Tuesday, 24 May 2016
Momentum children’s charity is thrilled to have been awarded a £52,000 grant by The Wisley Foundation in partnership with The Lockwood Charitable Foundation, which will enable it to start on an extensive refurbishment project to enhance the healing environment of the Paediatric Unit at St Peter’s Hospital.
Published: Thursday, 26 May 2016
Last week the Dementia Team at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals spent the week raising awareness of dementia as part of the Alzheimer’s Society annual campaign of Dementia Awareness Week.
Published: Tuesday, 31 May 2016
The Trust received over 600 nominations by our patients, highlighting our staff achievements over the past year, which were celebrated at our 2016 Staff Achievement Awards last week.
An innovative approach to recovery
Published: Thursday, 09 June 2016
Physiotherapists at St Peter’s Hospital have adopted a fun and innovative approach to recovery. Fractured neck of femur (hip fracture) patients can now enjoy an exciting group session together, doing their recovery exercises to live guitar music.
Published: Tuesday, 14 June 2016
The quality of care for dementia patients is set to improve with the help of a small blue flower at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals. The Forget-Me-Not Scheme was launched at the Trust during Dementia Awareness week (16th – 22nd May), with the aim of helping staff to provide a better service to patients with memory difficulties and to reassure their loved ones that they are receiving the best possible care.
Trust maintains significant improvements for inpatients
Published: Thursday, 16 June 2016
The 2015/2016 National Inpatient Survey, sent to adult patients who spent at least one night in our hospitals last summer, show promising results for the second year running. Confirming we have maintained the significant improvements for our inpatients we achieved in last year’s survey.
Published: Thursday, 16 June 2016
Last week Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals gave thanks to their 320 volunteers for the fantastic contributions to the Trust, during a special annual National celebratory week - Volunteers’ Week (1-12 June 2016).
Hospital staff invited to “Adopt a Grandparent”
Published: Wednesday, 22 June 2016
Many people, especially older patients, are bored and lonely during a stay in hospital. Even if relatives and friends call in at visiting times, there are long periods during the day when staff are busy and other patients may be disinclined to chat.
Big drive against pressure ulcers at Ashford and St Peter’s pays off
Published: Thursday, 30 June 2016
There has been a big reduction over the past year in the number of patients suffering from hospital acquired pressure ulcers - generally known as bed sores - in Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals.
Sandra Chinyere announced as one of NHS England’s CSO WISE Fellows
Published: Thursday, 07 July 2016
Ashford and St Peter’s Clinical Service Manager for Neurophysiology, Sandra Chinyere, was one of four inspiring female healthcare scientists, to be announced by NHS England last week (29th June), as the successful recipients to receive the first Chief Scientific Officer’s (CSO) Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Fellowship scheme 2016.
Success of dedicated unit for elderly patients
Published: Wednesday, 13 July 2016
At the end of last year a new Older Persons Short Stay Unit – named Cherry Ward - opened at St Peter’s Hospital, specifically to care for patients over the age of 75.
Ashford and St Peter’s accredited as a centre of excellence for its clinical coding
Published: Thursday, 14 July 2016
Ashford and St Peter’s clinical coding service was recently accredited to become a clinical coding academy, one of only three centres across the country.
New SAFE test introduced for pregnant women
Published: Monday, 25 July 2016
The maternity unit at St Peter’s Hospital is offering a new, non-invasive prenatal test, known as ‘SAFE’, to evaluate with remarkable accuracy whether a pregnancy is at risk of certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down’s syndrome.
Special bays for patients with dementia officially opened at St Peter’s Hospital
Published: Thursday, 28 July 2016
Two new bays designed specifically for patients with dementia were officially opened on Swift and Holly Wards at St Peter’s Hospital on Monday 25th July, by special guest Tommy Whitelaw. Tommy draws from his own experiences of being a full time carer for his Mum, who suffered with vascular dementia for five years. He is now a tireless campaigner who travels throughout the UK to raise awareness of dementia and promote a better understanding of what it means to care for loved ones.
Almost 160 new doctors start at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals
Published: Monday, 01 August 2016
Over the last week, almost 160 junior doctors have joined Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust. This includes almost 100 doctors who are in their first (Foundation Year 1) or second (Foundation Year 2) year of training after completing medical school.
Six New Non-executive Directors for the Trust
Published: Tuesday, 02 August 2016
Six new Non-Executive Directors have been appointed to the Board of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They are replacing long-serving directors who are retiring over the course of this year and next.
Children’s cancer unit transformed into a tropical paradise
Published: Thursday, 04 August 2016
Stunning golden beaches and brightly-coloured tropical fish now adorn the walls of the Little Oaks Ward at St Peter’s Hospital, following the completion of a new oncology unit by Momentum children’s charity, kindly funded by The Wisley Foundation in partnership with The Lockwood Charitable Foundation.
Trust appointed as provider for new Integrated Musculoskeletal Services (iMSK) in North West Surrey
Published: Friday, 12 August 2016
North West Surrey CCG is delighted to announce that Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed as the provider for the new iMSK services in North West Surrey. The decision was made after a robust procurement process, which involved clinicians and patients in developing a new model of care and helping to evaluate final bids.
Green fingered volunteers dig St Peter’s Hospital
Published: Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Keith Hayward, Estates Manager at Ashford and St Peter’s said, “We were very happy to welcome the 18 staff from Enterprise rent a car."
Be prepared this Bank Holiday Weekend
Published: Wednesday, 24 August 2016
The local NHS is advising residents in North West Surrey to be prepared for the coming Bank Holiday weekend and to make sure you know where to access the right medical help should you need it.
Innovative new eye procedure launched
Published: Thursday, 25 August 2016
The Ophthalmology team at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has started a new service, known as ‘Corneal Cross-linking’. The procedure is used to treat a relatively rare condition called Keratoconus, which leads to progressive bulging and thinning of the cornea (the transparent layer forming the front of the eye) and ultimately to a deterioration in vision.
The ‘Lunch 4 Life’ ladies fighting breast cancer
Published: Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Members of the ‘Lunch4Life’ committee, supporters of the Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals charity, recently visited to present a cheque for £1860 to Consultant Breast Surgeon, Mr Tayo Johnson – raised by committee member Jane Gales after she requested donations to the charity instead of presents for her 50th birthday.
New sexual health clinics for younger people
Published: Tuesday, 06 September 2016
The sexual health team at the Blanche Heriot Unit at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals has started a new service, specifically for younger people under the age of 18.
Monitor is grateful family’s memorial gift to Swift Ward
Published: Thursday, 08 September 2016
When Ralph Cowlishaw, a patient on Swift Ward, died last St George’s Day his family, led by his wife Audrey, decided they wanted to give something back so they set about raising money to buy a state-of-the-art vital signs monitoring machine, dedicated to his memory, for use on the ward.
Grateful patient kindly donates six footstools to Falcon Ward
Published: Friday, 16 September 2016
After receiving ‘absolutely brilliant care’, following an operation early this year at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals on Falcon Ward, appreciative patient Anthony Gabb from Woking, kindly donated six footstools to the ward.
NHS England honours Trust as a centre of excellence for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prevention
Published: Monday, 19 September 2016
Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded VTE Exemplar Centre Status by NHS England. This is a huge achievement as it recognises the Trust’s commitment to patient safety and VTE prevention.
Trust celebrates £52,000 refurb of children’s cancer unit
Published: Thursday, 22 September 2016
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals along with Momentum children’s charity, official opened the stunningly transformed children’s cancer unit – Little Oaks Ward – on the evening of the 19th September.
Volunteers spruce up garden on children’s ward
Published: Wednesday, 28 September 2016
The children’s unit at St. Peter’s Hospital was delighted to welcome a group of volunteers from logistics solutions company CHEP on Thursday 22nd September. The volunteers gave up their time to help spruce up the children’s ward garden.
A&E Consultant at St. Peter’s Hospital shortlisted for national WOW! Award
Published: Wednesday, 28 September 2016
Dr Asim Nayeem, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has been shortlisted in the ‘Supporting the Front Line’ category of the 2016 WOW! Awards.
Published: Tuesday, 04 October 2016
Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has expanded its lithotripsy service – a treatment using shock waves through which kidney stones are broken into small pieces that can then be passed in the urine.
Local hospitals join forces to lead development of the UK’s first theatre prompt cards
Published: Tuesday, 04 October 2016
When airlines pilots experience a mid-air emergency they have an onboard checklist to ensure that key safety steps are not missed. However, when the unexpected occurs in the operating theatre, medical teams have historically not had a document they can refer to.
Hospital restaurant awarded gold standard for range of healthy choices
Published: Tuesday, 04 October 2016
The Just Dine restaurant at St. Peter’s Hospital has been given a Gold Standard ‘Eat Out Eat Well’ award by Trading Standards. OCS Catering Manager, Duncan Spring, who oversees catering facilities at the Trust, applied to be inspected by the local environmental health team and was delighted to find out that the restaurant is one of only two establishments in Surrey rated as Gold.
New breast care app launched for patients
Published: Tuesday, 25 October 2016
On Friday 21st October, members of the hospital’s breast care team joined patients and special guest, journalist and broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire, at Ashford Hospital, to launch a new and innvoative mobile app for breast care patients.
Boards decide not to pursue merger
Published: Friday, 4 November 2016
Earlier this year it was jointly agreed by Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to pause their proposed merger until after the end of quarter 2, at which time the strategic position would be reviewed again.
Trust’s Housekeeping Team recognized for going the extra mile
Published: Monday, 28 November 2016
The Housekeeping Team at Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for the Hospital Cleaning Award at this year’s Health Business Awards.
Starlight Christmas Pantomime delivers a dose of festive cheer to young patients
Published: Monday, 5 December 2016
It was smiles, fun and laughter for young patients at ASPH on Saturday (26 November) when Dick Whittington and His Cat dropped by to bring some early Christmas cheer to the children’s wards.
Head midwife at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals makes pledge to care for colleagues
Published: Monday, 5 December 2016
Jane Urben, Divisional Chief Midwife for Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals, has signed the Royal College of Midwives’ (RCM) ‘Caring for You’ charter, which is a commitment to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of her team of midwives, student midwives and maternity assistants at work.
Fifth Winter Colorectal meeting held at St Peter’s
Published: Thursday, 8 December 2016
St Peter’s Hospital played host to the 5th Winter Colorectal meeting last Friday (2/12/16). ASPH’s leading consultants, eminent industry experts and medical students converged on the Trust’s Post Graduate Centre (PGCE) for the day-long event to discuss advances in the field of colorectal cancer.
Trust celebrates awards for “Excellence in Teaching” the next generation of doctors
Published: Thursday, 8 December 2016
Chief Executive, Suzanne Rankin and Dr David Fluck, Medical Director joined Dr Gulam Patel, Clinical Lead for Undergraduate Medicine, and colleagues for a celebration of the delivery of high quality Undergraduate Teaching at ASPH.
Improving care for patients with cancer
Published: Thursday, 16 December 2016
The results of the 2015 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey have recently been published and reveal positive developments in cancer services at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Published: Thursday, 16 December 2016
Members of the public were invited to find out how to prevent falls at an event held in the main reception at St Peter’s Hospital recently.
Researching the use of therapeutic hypothermia
Published: Thursday, 16 December 2016
Patients with traumatic head injuries should be cooled down to improve their chances of survival but this could prove fatal if attempted in children, say researchers.
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals launch iWantGreatCare initiative
Published: Thursday, 16 December 2016
On Monday 12th December, clinicians joined ASPH’s Chairman Aileen McLeish, Chief Executive Suzanne Rankin, Chief Nurse Heather Caudle and Medical Director David Fluck, at the Post graduate Centre, St Peter’s Hospital to launch iWantGreatCare, a new online platform that gives patients and their families a chance to rate individual clinicians and leave detailed feedback on their experience.
Published: Thursday, 16 December 2016
Patients on Cherry Ward, the Older Patients’ Short Stay Unit at St Peter’s Hospital, are being urged to ‘Keep Moving’ to raise their awareness of the importance and value of physical activity during a hospital stay and beyond.
A&E Consultant scoops WOW! Award
Published: Thursday, 16 December 2016
Dr Asim Nayeem, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has scooped the top award in the ‘Supporting the Front Line’ category of the 2016 WOW! Awards.
MS Team Wins Prestigious Award
Published: Wednesday, 21 December 2016
Our MS Specialist Nurses, Natalie Thompson and Emily Whisker, have won a prestigious QuDos in MS Award – in the category of ‘Innovation in practice: outstanding use of information and shared decision making in MS care’.
