Press releases
Freddie Flintoff thanks ‘NHS superheroes’ as he is reunited with his care team following crash
Former England cricket captain Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff has been reunited with the care team who treated him following his car crash, praising their “expertise, love and compassion.” In 2022, he was airlifted to St George’s Hospital in Tooting and underwent emergency surgery under the care of Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial …
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1 Aug 2025
Chief Executive Jacqueline Totterdell to step down
After eight years at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and four at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Jacqueline will be taking up a new position as Chief Executive of NHS Wales and Director
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25 Jul 2025
Public warned of ‘huge disruption’ to NHS services during resident doctors’ strikes
Resident doctors’ strikes will put extra pressure on NHS services over the coming week – as hospitals see their busiest summer in years. The five-day walkout, which will take place across England – including at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) – comes at …
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23 Jul 2025
St George’s trail-blazes life-changing procedure for common heart condition
St George’s Hospital is one of the first in the country to pioneer a new way of treating patients with a condition that, if ignored, can be fatal. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm problem1 in the UK that, as well as causing fatigue and dizziness, increases the …
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10 Jul 2025
Fit for the Future – The 10 Year Health Plan for England
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 fundamentally reinvents our approach to healthcare so that we can guarantee the NHS will be there for all who need it for generations to come. …
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3 Jul 2025
St George’s in the spotlight in new Netflix documentary
Viewers across the world will soon get a glimpse into the ground-breaking care provided by trauma teams at St George’s. Netflix’s new six-part series, Critical: Between Life and Death, hits the global streaming platform on Wednesday 23 July – and will showcase the work of the London Major Trauma System. …
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25 Jun 2025
First patients to receive ‘game-changing’ cancer therapy now in remission
A lifesaving medicine that destroys blood cancer has been given to the first patients in South West London and Surrey – with hugely significant results. Seven patients at St George’s Hospital have now received the highly-effective treatment called CAR-T, and the majority are now in remission. As well as bettering …
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28 May 2025
New electronic patient record goes live across St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group
Patients and staff across St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals are set to benefit from a new groupwide electronic patient record system. The new system, iClipPro, integrates multiple IT systems used across the Trusts’ sites into one, giving staff a complete overview of a person’s care in real time. …
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9 May 2025
Hospitals have bright idea as energy improvements save cash and emissions
Energy upgrades across three hospitals are under way – lighting the way for millions of pounds in much-needed savings. St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) has started replacing 45,000 fittings with energy-efficient LED lighting across its sites – a move that will potentially save …
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28 Apr 2025
St George’s first in the UK to give ‘chemotherapy’-style dosage for heart failure
A pioneering new way of treating heart failure more aggressively has cut deaths by nearly two-thirds, bringing hope to patients and families affected by the deadly condition. St George’s Hospital treated the UK’s very first patient in a new way – inspired by the results of a global trial, STRONG-HF, …
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16 Apr 2025
Efforts to tackle knife crime set out in Home Secretary visit to St George’s
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper visited St George’s to hear how we’re tackling knife crime – with frontline staff laying bare the devastating impact violence has on our communities. During the visit, which coincided with a Government announcement to ban ninja swords, the Home Secretary met with teams on our Major …
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27 Mar 2025
Nurses and doctors share their experiences of working through the pandemic
“Every day was scary,” says nurse Laura Blackmore, when asked to reflect on 2020. “I remember having my visor on and hearing my own breath – like when you’re scuba diving and you can hear your breath over everything.” Laura is of course speaking about the Covid pandemic – one of the …
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18 Mar 2025
Zombie knives handed in after St George’s Hospital installs amnesty bin in UK first
A patient has described the terrifying moment he was stabbed with a 15-inch blade while onlookers filmed on their phones – as the hospital where he was treated reveals almost 100 dangerous weapons have been surrendered on site. The male from South London, who did not wish to be named, …
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12 Mar 2025
Leaders from our hospitals Group share their messages for International Women’s Day 2025
Female NHS leaders at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) have shared their personal experiences and reflections to mark International Women’s Day. Group CEO Jacqueline Totterdell, Group Chairman Gillian Norton, and Group Chief Nurse Professor Arlene Wellman MBE share a passion for highlighting the …
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7 Mar 2025
Rapper Dave helps elderly patients discharged from St George’s Hospital
Rapper Dave aka Santan Dave has helped fund a new scheme that helps elderly patients discharged from St George’s Hospital. Free packs filled with essential items such as toiletries, tea, coffee and comforting items such as non-slip socks will be given to the patients to help them settle back into …
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12 Feb 2025
Norovirus advice as diarrhoea and vomiting bug shuts three hospital wards
Three wards at St George’s Hospital in Tooting have been closed due to an outbreak of the vomiting bug norovirus. To help reduce the risk of the infection spreading, some bays or wards will be closed to admissions and transfers – to protect new patients from being exposed to the …
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7 Feb 2025
Sir Mark Lowcock KCB appointed as Chair of St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sir Mark Lowcock KCB as Chair from 1 April 2025. Sir Mark is a committed public servant and joins gesh after a distinguished career in the UK Civil Service, where he …
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29 Jan 2025
Latest statement on winter pressures as NHS sees busiest year ever for emergency services
Nicola Shopland, Site Chief Nurse at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Help us wage war on winter — our hospitals are facing a barrage of winter viruses including flu, and our emergency departments are feeling the strain. “We need your help — get your flu vaccine, stay at …
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9 Jan 2025
Health chief warns of common mistake people make as hospitals brace for cold weather spike
Hospitals across London and Surrey are bracing for the impact of this weekend’s cold snap on emergency services. With the Met Office predicting sub-zero temperatures and snow, St George’s, Epsom and St Helier’s emergency departments (EDs) are expecting demand to soar as the temperature drops. While icy conditions can cause …
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2 Jan 2025
Health leaders urge people to follow 5 hacks for a safer Christmas and New Year
With the NHS facing extreme pressures in the run-up to Christmas, health leaders are pleading with people to take simple actions such as stocking up on any medications they need over the festive period. A spike in patients with flu and other winter illnesses has placed additional demand on hospital …
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24 Dec 2024