King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

👏 Congratulations to Virginia Tshibangu, Roald Dahl Transition and Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia at King’s, who has been shortlisted in the Sickle Cell Nurse category and awarded a Highly Commended certificate by the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN).   The CAHN Awards celebrate Black healthcare professionals across all disciplines and aim to improve health outcomes for people in the Black community.    Additionally, Virginia was recently invited to the House of Lords on Sickle Cell Awareness Day on 19 June 2025 for the launch of the NHS Race and Health Observatory-commissioned report, ‘Sickle Cell Comparative Review to Inform Policy’.    We’re incredibly proud of Virginia’s continued dedication and leadership in improving care and awareness for people living with sickle cell and thalassaemia.   #TeamKings #SickleCellAwareness #BlackHealthcareExcellence #CAHNAwards2025 #NHSVoices

As #CriticalBetweenLifeandDeath premieres tomorrow on Netflix, the gripping series offers an inside look at the London Major Trauma System — which King’s is part of — and follows life-saving interventions in real time. We spoke with Mr Edmund Fitzgerald O'Connor, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at King’s, who appears in the series. He shared his passion for his work and what it was like to be filmed as part of the show.   • What motivates you every day in your role caring for patients?   “Working within a high-performing team. Knowing that I can work with colleagues to discuss and implement plans for patients facing life-changing injuries and help provide the very best outcomes achievable. It’s an honour working amongst world-class surgeons, watching them manage some of the most complex injuries with ease is a privilege.”   • Thinking about the patients featured in the series, what impact did caring for them have on you personally and professionally?   “One patient featured was a traumatic amputee. The surgical challenges presented by limb loss patients form a large part of what reconstructive surgeons deal with. We often manage not only the initial amputation but also support patients for years to come with some of the sequelae of these injuries. I always marvel at the strength of patients facing life-changing injury and how well they can cope.”   • Is there a key message you hope viewers will take away after watching the work you and your team do at King’s?   “I was appointed seven years ago as a plastics trauma reconstruction consultant to help build and develop the major trauma plastics service. Since then, we have built a world-class service based on teamwork, skill and a passion for what we do, looking after patients in their most vulnerable and critical moments. I hope that the passion we have in our jobs, the drive to support our patients, and delivering this service comes through on the screen.”   Tune in to watch the work of #LondonMajorTraumaSystem, including #TeamKings, and witness life-saving interventions tomorrow on Netflix.   Find out more on our website: bit.ly/45TW64p  

🧠 Celebrating 30 years of King’s Neuroscience Centre, which was established in July 1995! Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system – the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system – its functions, and its disorders.   The aim of the Neurosciences Centre at King’s College Hospital was to bring together specialist clinicians and staff to deliver integrated neuroscience care to the population of South East London, Kent and Medway. This allowed closer working with King’s College London and the regional hospitals. Thirty years later, King’s Neuroscience Centre has become one of the leading units in Europe, driving forward innovative research and providing patients both local and from across the UK and the world with exemplary care and the most modern of treatments. To mark its anniversary, King’s Neuroscience Centre hosted a 30-Year Anniversary Academic Meeting from 17-18 July 2025, bringing together global experts to discuss topics including epilepsy, brain tumours and paediatric neuroscience. 🗨️ Mr Richard Gullan, Consultant Neurosurgeon at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are all extremely proud of the huge strides we have made over the past 30 years, pushing the boundaries and helping make innovative treatments a reality for our patients. In the decades since the Centre opened, there have been enormous steps forward in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, stroke, neurophysiology and neuro-rehabilitation, with the Neuroscience Centre embracing them and leading on many of these new developments.   “This event, which puts the spotlight on the latest research in neuroscience, will spur colleagues on to keep innovating, translate research into treatment for patients, and ensure our population receives the best care available.”   #TeamKings #Neurosicence #Neuro #Anniversary

Huge congratulations to King’s consultant who has been awarded the prestigious Henkes Medal for the greatest achievement in the field of leadership in ophthalmology. Wagih Aclimandos, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon who has been at King’s since 1992, was awarded the medal at the Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) 2025 opening session in Lisbon. Nominations for the Henkes Medal, which is awarded every four years, are made by various international societies and a secret vote determines the winner. Wagih’s contributions to ophthalmology – the study and treatment of abnormalities of the eye – have won him many international awards, including the International Council of Ophthalmology Golden Apple Medal 2017 as well as the Peter Eustace Medal in 2019. Despite being at King’s full-time since 1992, Wagih’s first stint here was 44 years ago when he served as Senior House Officer for Ophthalmology in 1981. Wagih holds many leadership roles, including acting as Chair for the EBO Subspecialty Exams, President Union Européenne de Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS) Ophthalmology, President of the European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE), Member of the European Academy of Ophthalmology and Member of the Ethics Bureau/ World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. #TeamKings #Ophthamologist #HenkesMedal #TheSocietyofOphthalmology

Congratulations to Joanne Crook, consultant pharmacist in paediatrics at King’s, who has been awarded Hospital Pharmacist of the Year in the Love Your Pharmacist Awards 2025.   Joanne was awarded the title for her work to deliver outstanding patient care, including ensuring access to innovative treatments for children with rare liver conditions, providing hope for families with limited options for treatment. Collaborating with the paediatric liver multidisciplinary team, Jo facilitated the delivery of a paediatric homecare service, ensuring children have timely access to essential medications closer to home, making a huge difference to families and their quality of life.   Joanne was nominated for the award by her colleague Siti Ali, a specialist pharmacist at King’s College Hospital. Siti said: “Joanne is a true trailblazer in the field of paediatric pharmacy, consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication to improving patient care, advancing pharmacy practice, and uplifting those around her.   “Joanne embodies the best of pharmacy— she is intelligent, compassionate, innovative, and driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference. Her contributions are shaping the future of paediatric pharmacy, and this is an extremely well-deserved award.”   Joanne added: “It was a huge honour to receive this award, and a wonderful surprise to be recognised in this way. My work wouldn’t be possible without the support of my amazing colleagues and I am so grateful for their help and encouragement.”   Find out more on our website, here: https://lnkd.in/eRT_fJdU

Congratulations to the teams and individual staff members from King's who are nominated for this year’s Nursing Times Awards. Finalists from King’s include: • Dani Nebres, Lead Nurse at King’s Clinical Research Facility, who has been shortlisted in the Dame Elizabeth Anionwu Award for Inclusivity in Nursing and Midwifery category • King’s Vulnerability and Safeguarding Team, shortlisted in the Learning Disabilities Nursing category  • King’s Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Spinal Team – Neuro Spine Service, shortlisted in the Theatre and Surgical Nursing category. Dani Nebres has been nominated in recognition of a quality improvement project, in which he has implemented equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training for staff at the NIHR King’s Clinical Research Facility. This training is due to be rolled out to other King’s research teams, totalling over 200 staff across the Trust. Dani said: “This recognition reflects the power of true collaboration and shared purpose. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part in this journey — especially our exceptional King’s Clinical Research Facility team, whose commitment to inclusive, patient-centred research is both inspiring and unwavering. “Being shortlisted is already a tremendous honour. I hope this recognition helps shine a light on the importance of inclusive, representative and equitable research — not for accolades, but for the patients, carers, and communities we aim to serve better every day.” The Vulnerability and Safeguarding Team has been recognised for their Safeguarding and Learning Disability Simulation Training, which was developed by the team to support staff in caring confidently and compassionately for children and young people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodevelopmental conditions. Shevon Dalena, Named Nurse for Children with a Learning Disability, Autism, and Neurodevelopmental Conditions at the Trust, explained: “We are so proud of our training programme and the impact it’s had, so to have this national recognition feels incredible. The training has helped create a compassionate, inclusive culture of care, and most importantly, it’s improving the experience, safety and dignity of the young people we support. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.” The Trust’s ERAS Spinal Team has also been selected as a finalist for developing the UK’s first nurse-led ERAS pathway for elective neurosurgical spinal procedures, helping to improve the recovery process. Irene dela Cruz, ERAS Nurse Specialist for Spine Surgeries at King’s, said: “We’ve all worked extremely hard to make the enhanced recovery pathway a reality for our patients. As a result, we can do more to help patients recover faster, experience fewer complications, and bring waiting lists down. This was a real team effort, and we’re thrilled and truly honoured to be nominated alongside some incredible nurses.” #TeamKings #NursingTimesAward2025

Congratulations and well done to our DFN Project SEARCH interns at King's College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) on completing and graduating from the course.   The graduation ceremonies marked the successful completion of the nine-month programme, where interns with learning disabilities and/or autism showcased their incredible talents. Throughout their journey at King's, they engaged in work placements in various clinical and non-clinical departments across our hospitals, gaining valuable experience and skills.   The ceremonies took place at Lambeth Town Hall and PRUH respectively. During the celebratory events, certificates were presented to the interns.  Michael Pichamuthu, Site Director of People for PRUH and South Sites, delivered a speech at the PRUH graduation, and Nathifa Erume, Learning and Development Manager at the Trust, congratulated the interns and thanked Trust managers for their support during the ceremony at Lambeth Town Hall. Project SEARCH will continue at the Trust in September 2025 and once again we will partner with Lambeth College, London Borough of Lambeth and Unity Works Social Enterprises at King's College Hospital, and with London Borough of Bromley, London South East Colleges and Bromley Mencap at PRUH.   #TeamKings #Internship #NHS

Today, 5 July, marks 77 incredible years of the NHS – happy birthday!   At King’s, we want to extend our thanks to the amazing NHS staff, volunteers and partners whose dedication and compassion make a difference every day.   A special thank you to King's College Hospital Charity for supporting us throughout the years.   To explore highlights of the NHS’s most significant milestones, visit: https://lnkd.in/e6yZAq8x   Here’s to many more years of outstanding care and collaboration.   #TeamKings #NHSBirthday #ThankYouNHS

The Government's 10 Year Health Plan for England has been launched, setting out a bold, ambitious and necessary new course for the NHS. The plan has been shaped by the experiences and expectations of members of the public, patients, partner organisations and NHS staff across the country, reflecting the changes that people wanted to see. Through the 'three shifts' – from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention – the plan sets out an ambition to personalise care, give more power to patients, and ensure that the best of the NHS is available to all. You can read the full plan on the Government's website, here: https://bit.ly/4nreiIR #NHS #10YearHealthPlan

We are delighted to announce that Damian McGuinness is joining Team King’s as our Chief People Officer. Damian joins us in September from the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, where he has led the People and Culture Directorate since 2021. Prior to that, Damian was at Barts Health NHS Trust, where he served as Director of People at The Royal London and Mile End Hospitals. Damian has significant experience of the NHS in London, having worked in HR and organisational development roles within acute, mental health and commissioning trusts for more than two decades. In 2024, Damian was named ‘People Leader of the Year’ by the Healthcare People Management Association. In addition, his People & Culture team was honoured with the ‘People Team of the Year’ 2024 award. Speaking about his appointment, Damian said, “I am delighted to be joining King’s, at a pivotal time for the Trust. I look forward to working with the leadership team to ensure King’s is a place where staff are happy and proud to work, and meeting the brilliant people who deliver outstanding care every day to the patient population of south-east London and beyond.” Damian will take up his new role as Chief People Officer at King’s on 1 September 2025, as Mark Preston, our current Chief People Officer, is retiring later this year. Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive at King’s, said, “Damian has proved himself as a strong leader with extensive experience of delivering change within the NHS. We look forward to working with Damian as we continue our improvement journey, and to make King’s the best place to work and receive care. “I would like to thank Mark for his contribution over the last four years and wish him well on his retirement when the time comes.” Damian’s remit at King’s will also include leading the Trust’s efforts to make King’s a more equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation for staff, and the many people who use our services. #TeamKings