Press releases
World first gene therapy treats rare form of childhood blindness
An eleven-year-old girl from London has become the first NHS patient to receive a revolutionary new treatment for a progressive form of severe blindness. Catherine L’Estrange was diagnosed with Bardet Biedl Syndrome (BBS) as a baby, a rare condition starting in early childhood that often results in almost complete loss of sight by the late teens. Catherine, from North Acton, is the UK’s first patient with …
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24 Jul 2026
Hospitals brace as blazing temperatures bounce back
Hospitals in London and Surrey are bracing for another blistering heatwave as the warm weather, World Cup and Wimbledon conspire to make more people at risk of falling ill. Record numbers of patients sought help at St George’s Hospital in Tooting last week following June’s heatwave, with the nearby tennis …
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7 Jul 2026
Teenage judo champion thanks NHS surgeon for saving her Commonwealth Games dream
A teenager competing in this month’s Commonwealth Games has praised a surgeon at St George’s Hospital for saving her sporting career, after her dream was threatened by a devastating injury. Judo champion Frema Agyei feared her competing days were over, after a torn ligament led to further issues. The 17-year-old …
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1 Jul 2026
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group appoints new Chief Nurse and Managing Director
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) has today announced the appointment of Chinyama Okunuga as Managing Director at Epsom and St Helier, and Tracy Luckett as new Group Chief Nursing Officer. Chinyama Okunuga is joining as Managing Director at Epsom and St Helier, and Tracy …
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1 Jul 2026
gesh response to the Nottingham Maternity Review
This week saw the publication of Donna Ockenden’s report into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals – the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history, with around 2,500 cases investigated. Michelle Cudjoe, Group Chief Midwifery Officer, said: “This report is deeply distressing, and our thoughts are with the families whose lives have …
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26 Jun 2026
Temporary relocation planning for women’s health services at St Helier Hospital
We are in the early stages of planning for the temporary relocation of services from the Women’s Health block at St Helier Hospital from spring 2027. While the building is currently safe to use, specialist advice has identified that the ageing pipework serving the block will need to be replaced. …
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26 Jun 2026
Hospital issues Wimbledon warning ahead of Championship
As hundreds of thousands of tennis fans head to Wimbledon for the iconic tournament from Monday, the Chief Nurse at nearby St George’s Hospital in Tooting has warned that it may increase demand for emergency services and is urging people to stay safe in the sun. While London will be …
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26 Jun 2026
Hospitals warn of increase in domestic abuse during the Football World Cup
Hospitals in London and Surrey are bracing for an increase in reports of domestic abuse and possible admissions during the World Cup, as evidence shows that incidents tend to spike during major sporting events. With roughly one in four adults experiencing domestic abuse at some point in their life, people are being …
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17 Jun 2026
Hospital charities invest in the future of volunteering through new £100k+ Helpforce partnership
Two hospital charities have joined forces with Helpforce to make a significant investment in the future of volunteering across hospitals serving South West London and Surrey. St George’s Hospital Charity and Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity have committed more than £60,000 to strengthen and expand volunteering services across St George’s Hospital, Epsom …
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16 Jun 2026
Her Majesty The Queen opens St George’s Hospital intensive care balcony as brain surgery nurse recovers in her own ward
The Queen joined St George’s Hospital’s neurology doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, charity trustees and some of the hospital’s most critically ill patients before officially opening the Neuro Intensive Care Unit’s balcony garden on 2 June. The Queen was introduced to one patient in the neurosurgery ward who is …
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2 Jun 2026
Celebrating more than 3,000 years of NHS service as healthcare workers welcomed into “inspirational” Hall of Fame
Healthcare workers who have devoted more than 3,000 years of NHS service have been officially welcomed into a new Hall of Fame celebrating the people who have transformed lives and shaped local health services over decades. Over 120 colleagues who have dedicated 25 years or more to the NHS have …
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20 May 2026 | Tags: gesh25
Nurse gives kidney to stranger on same day husband receives kidney transplant to ‘pass on kindness’
A kind-hearted nurse at St George’s Hospital in Tooting has donated her kidney to a stranger, as a thank you for someone doing the same for her husband – with both operations taking place on the same day at the hospital where she works. Filipinas Nercua’s generous act came after …
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12 May 2026
Welcoming our new Chief Executive, Mat Shaw
Today we welcome Mat Shaw as our new group Chief Executive for St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals. Mat started his first day where it matters most – alongside colleagues delivering frontline care. His first visit was to St Helier Hospital’s emergency department, where he spent the morning meeting …
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7 Apr 2026
Health Chief Warns of “Triple Trouble” as doctors’ strike follows Easter holiday
The NHS is heading into a triple threat this weekend as a six-day resident doctor walkout comes hot on the heels of the Easter bank holiday weekend – coinciding with more children generally being treated for injuries during the school holidays. As strike action takes place across England, the Chief …
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2 Apr 2026
Allow extra time if travelling to St George’s Hospital by car or bus
If you are travelling to St George’s by car or bus please allow extra time for your journey until the end of March. This is due to major upgrade works by Thames Water, in and around Tooting, which is expected to cause delays especially at peak times. The upgrades are …
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12 Mar 2026
Potential disruption to planned orthopaedic operations
Like all hospitals, we have been informed of a global supply issue affecting bone cement products used in orthopaedic surgery – any existing stock already in our hospitals is unaffected. We want to reassure people that emergency and urgent trauma operations will safely continue. We are working closely with NHS …
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19 Feb 2026
‘I was always a fan of the NHS and now I’m an evangelist’ – Formula 1 boss praises St George’s
When Matt Bishop went for his regular personal training session he had no idea it would end with a lifesaving operation. The 62-year-old businessman, PR chief and senior journalist for Formula 1 motor racing, was working out with his personal trainer of 10 years, not knowing that this particular gym visit would accidentally reveal a hidden – …
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19 Feb 2026
New appointment for Interim Group CEO after four years at gesh
Interim Group Chief Executive, James Blythe is to step down after being successfully appointed as the new permanent Chief Executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, starting in late Spring. Group Chair, Sir Mark Lowcock, said: “On behalf everyone at gesh, I want to thank James stepping in to …
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11 Feb 2026
Parents of leukaemia survivor ‘grateful and thankful’ to youngster’s care team
Jackson Hall was diagnosed with leukaemia six years ago this month after his parents Sam and Shaun noticed a rash that wouldn’t go away. The concerned parents rushed the then two-year-old to St Helier in February 2020, where he underwent tests before the family received the devastating news that Jackson had T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. After …
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4 Feb 2026
Common-combo of issues brings bleak start to the new year
The new year has brought a new wave of pressures – as hospitals face the triple threat of cold weather, winter viruses, and high numbers needing specialist care. As of Sunday 4 January, 45 beds at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier hospitals were occupied by patients with flu. Some …
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9 Jan 2026