Press releases
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
Betfair owner names prize-winning racehorse after nurse who cared for him following Boxing Day heart attack
A nurse at St George’s Hospital has had a prize-winning racehorse named after her by a grateful patient who she cared for, following a heart attack at Christmas. Businessman and Betfair co-founder Andrew Black said he wanted to show Coronary Care Unit Manager Breege Skeffington how much she helped him …
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23 Dec 2024
Where to get medical help and how to stay safe and well this winter
Emergency Departments (A&E) Our emergency departments, often commonly known as “A&E, are for life-threatening situations only. Always call 999 or visit A&E if it’s an emergency. By using the alternatives listed below for non-emergency medical help, you are helping us to focus on those patients who need emergency care. NHS …
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19 Dec 2024
Standing ovation for emergency care teams that see patients every 90 seconds
Emergency care teams that see patients every 90 seconds received a standing ovation, alongside hospital cleaners and security staff, at an NHS awards show hosted by Myleene Klass. The awards celebrated the care and contribution of 17,000 healthcare workers across St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health …
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17 Dec 2024
‘Please don’t ruin your Christmas like I did – Get your flu jab’
Jacqueline Totterdell, Group CEO of St Georges, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, has written an opinion piece for The Mirror in an appeal to eligible people to get the flu jab. “As fears of a ‘quad-demic’ – driven by a rise in flu, norovirus, Covid and …
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16 Dec 2024
Use National Self-Care Week to improve your mental health and wellbeing for good
Monday marked the start of National Self-Care Week in the UK. The awareness week takes place to remind everyone of the importance of self-care for a healthier and happier life. The theme this year is ‘Mind and Body’ and Kristina Middleton, Health and Wellbeing Lead at St George’s, has shared tips …
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19 Nov 2024
Loose Women star to host ‘Oscars’ event celebrating NHS staff
A Loose Women star will host an ‘Oscars’ event celebrating the hard work, care and dedication of NHS workers. The awards ceremony is being held by St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group as a ‘thank you’ to staff and care teams who have made a real difference to …
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24 Oct 2024
Internationally-educated nurses named as ‘Rising Stars’ for reducing patient waiting times and ‘lighting the path’ for colleagues
A nurse whose clinic has reduced waiting times for patients to be tested and another who runs a support group for overseas colleagues have been named as ‘Rising Stars’. Mark Mencias’ patients are able to find out faster if their health issues are caused by a rare neurogenetic condition, thanks …
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4 Oct 2024
Families whose lives were saved by NHS stars call on public to nominate in staff awards
A Covid survivor who was so poorly her children were warned she wouldn’t survive the night and the mum of a young boy who bravely battled leukaemia have thrown their support behind an inaugural event that celebrates incredible NHS staff. Jan Ehtash, from Carshalton, spent 12 weeks in Epsom and …
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26 Sep 2024
Significant milestone in improving the lives of our motor neurone disease (MND) patients
St George’s Hospital, in partnership with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, has launched the MND Care and Research Network in South West London and Surrey. It’s a significant milestone in the journey towards St George’s Hospital improving the lives of those affected by motor neurone disease in South West London …
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18 Sep 2024