January 2012

The BBC One Sunday evening series, Call The Midwife, has prompted a lot of positive coverage for the Trust and The Barkantine Birth Centre. The programme features on the lives of midwives in Poplar during the fifties and many media have been in touch to talk to their present-day counterparts working at the Barkantine Centre and The Royal London. We set up the following coverage:

The Alan Titchmarsh Show, ITV – Monday 30 Jan ’12

Barkantine Centre midwife, Kerry Mahoney, appeared alongside a retired midwife who had worked during the fifties. Kerry stressed the importance the Trust places on enabling mothers to have their babies at home, if they so wish. She also gave examples of the many improvements in care and resources since the fifties.

The Breast Cancer Tissue Bank: now open to all researchers
Daily Telegraph – 630,000 readers - 30 January ‘12

The article reported that the world’s first breast cancer tissue bank at Barts was now open to all research scientists in the UK and Ireland with a view to it being accessible in the future to researchers anywhere in the world.

BBC News Channel (400,000 viewers); ITN Early Evening News (3m viewers) and Ten O’clock News (2m viewers)
Death Rate from Heart Attacks halves in a decade

An Oxford University study showed that better diet and improved treatments have cut by 50% the number of fatalities from heart attacks. Following its publication, we organised access to the London Chest and to Cardiologist, Professor Adam Timmis, who spoke about the preventative measures people could take to avoid having a heart attack, as well as the treatments available for cardiac patients. We also organised filming of an angioplasty as well as two patient case-studies.

My Skull Split in Two!
Double page picture spread in Woman’s Own magazine – 30 January ‘12

“Looking at the X-ray showing her skull cracked from her forehead to her mouth, Lynda French, 50, can see why her family were warned she wouldn’t survive her horrific car crash injuries.”

We organised access to Maxillofacial Surgeon, Simon Holmes, who explained the painstaking process required to re-build Lynda’s skull and face. He also provided graphic images of her injuries and treatment which were included in the feature, which mentioned the Royal London twice. You may recall earlier television and newspaper coverage of Lynda's treatment which prompted the above magazine feature.

UK Hospitals breach pharmaceuticals security guidelines
Sky News website and radio – 27 January ‘12

In the wake of the Stepping Hill investigation and subsequent arrest, Sky News reported that many Trusts were still failing to keep medicines secure. Based on our FOI response, Sky News reported that some medicines at our hospitals were being kept in lockers which were secured with tape or string. We issued a statement explaining that all lockers were in the process of being either repaired or replaced and that we expected to be 100% compliant by the time we are fully moved into the new Royal London.

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16157550

The Changing Face of Midwifery in the UK
The Sun – 2.7m readers – 26 January ‘12

We set up access to Trust midwife, Kerry Mahoney, who was interviewed for a feature about the changing face of midwifery. The “peg” was the BBC’s new drama series, ‘Call The Midwife’, which focuses on life as a midwife in Poplar in the 1950s. In a lengthy interview, Kerry was positive about her role. She told the paper: "Home births are rare compared to the 1950s but we have seen quite a few lately. It's something we like to promote. We want women to have a choice and they are often much more relaxed in their own environment”.

Calls for Vitamin D infant death probe
BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme (7m listeners a week), Victoria Derbyshire Radio Five Live – 2m listeners and BBC News website – 14m unique visitors weekly - 25 January ‘11

“Two senior paediatric pathologists say they have discovered vitamin D deficiency in a significant number of children who have died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome”.

The online and radio piece included an interview with Trust Pathologist Irene Scheimberg who said: "I think there should be a commission that studies all these cases [which would] take into consideration the age of the children, the gender, the race and the way in which the way these families live - particularly when the children are still alive and living in foster care when they could be back with their families."

Read the full piece here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16726841

The piece also appeared in the Evening Standard and Daily Mail.

My sister died because she didn’t take diabetes seriously
Daily Mail – 2m readers – 24 Jan ‘12

Last April, aged just 39, Yolanda Acuna Ocana died as a result of type 1 diabetes, leaving behind a loving husband and devoted family. Trust paediatric endocrinologist Dr Jeremy Allgrove told the Mail: “People often think diabetes, type 1 or type 2, is not a serious condition. But if you don’t look after yourself, it’s a killer.”

Family sues hospital for musician’s DVT death
Evening Standard – 1m readers – 24 January ‘12

“The family of a musician who died from a blood clot have sued his GP and the hospital where he was treated. The family of Matthew Burrington, 35, claim that medical blunders meant his deep vein thrombosis was not properly diagnosed and went untreated”. The article included our statement, expressing sympathy and satisfaction that a settlement had been reached.

The story was also covered by BBC London – 600,000 viewers – 23 January ‘12

Mayor of Tower Hamlets – My Diary
East End Life – 70,000 readers - 23 January ‘12

In his weekly diary for the newspaper, Lutfur Rahman wrote: “The NHS is close to the heart of everyone in the East End and I was privileged to have a guided tour of the Royal London Hospital from Trust Chair Stephen O’Brien. The NHS is a shining example of the best of public services and the staff at The Royal London are among the best of the best.”

UK Public Sector Digital Awards – The Winners
PublicTechnology.net website – 23 January ‘12

Reporting that we had won the prize for best practice example of the digital transformation of a public service, the website wrote that "getting services online was a key ambition for 21^st century public sector ICT. The winner was a Clinical Haematology departmental initiative (at Barts and The London NHS Trust) that grew to meet a wider hospital IT strategy".

Disappointment on health merger bid
Newham Magazine (council newspaper) – 70,000 readers – 20 January ‘12

Newham Council has expressed disappointment over a decision by government advisors to question the proposed merger of five local hospitals. Councillor Clive Furness said: “The scale of the merger would deliver significant improvements in health inequalities across our diverse and unique community”.’

There were a couple of articles this week about the proposed merger:
East London NHS Trusts to merge
East End Life – 70,000 readers – 20 January ‘12

2012 will see a transformation in healthcare delivery in east London and beyond with the merger of three famous NHS Trusts – Newham and Whipps Cross University Hospitals and Barts and The London. The wholly-positive piece included a quote from Mike Gill who said: “From our earliest discussions, we have shared the same dear ambition: to improve the health, wellbeing and life expectancy of the people of east London.”

News from the Mayor
East End Life – 70,000 readers - 20 January ‘12

Lutfur Rahman spoke about his recent visit to the new Royal London, calling it “a precious resource for east London”. He continued: “While welcoming the new facility, many people are concerned about the merger of Newham General, The Royal London and Whipps Cross health trusts and they are right to be. It is vital that the concerns about patient choice – expressed by my cabinet and echoed by the NHS competition watchdog – are addressed in full.

Hospital trust chooses new boss
Waltham Forest Guardian – 12,000 readers – 19 Jan ‘12

The chairman of a new trust, which will be created if Whipps Cross merges with other hospitals, has been chosen. Stephen O’Brien is set to head up the proposed organisation which is set to be created from the Leytonstone-based trust, Barts and The London NHS Trust and Newham University Hospital NHS Trust.

The new Royal London Hospital

We received positive and widespread coverage following a tour of the new hospital last week by the Mayor, Lutfur Rahman and his cabinet. Stephen O’Brien, Steve Ryan, Matt Tulley and Celia Skinner hosted the visit, which also included a dozen members of the local BME media. The party was shown around A&E, Maternity and Digestive Diseases. Coverage, so far, has included:

Bangla TV – 70,000 viewers – 18 January ’12 www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZI5SIzsn5E

Channel S – 350,000 viewers – 18 January ’12 www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUI8T7uHAqk&feature...

Bangla Mirror – 15,000 circulation – 20 January ‘12

Muslim Post - 52,000 circulation – 19 January ‘12

Kasmo – 35,000 readers – 19 January ‘12

NHS holds press conference to brief on merger of three trusts
Bangla Mirror – 15,000 circulation – 20 January ‘12

The newspaper covered a press conference we held last week for BME media. The article reported that “the new, joined-up organisation – which would be the biggest Trust in the NHS – will bring multiple benefits to patients throughout the new catchment area.” The press conference was also covered by:

NTV – 16 January ‘12
Channel S – 350,000 viewers – 17 January ‘12
Muslim Post - 52,000 circulation – 19 January ‘12
Kasmo – 35,000 readers – 19 January ‘12

Further coverage is expected over the coming few days.

A&E departments under threat as trusts struggle with £100m debt
Evening Standard – 700,000 readers – 19 January ‘12

'Casualty departments will have to close and NHS trusts must merge if London hospitals are to tackle their £100m debt, the capital’s health service chief, Dame Ruth Carnell, has warned …. The saving from merging Barts and The London, Newham and Whipps Cross Hospital Trusts has been estimated at £32m.’ Dame Ruth made her comments to the London Assembly’s health and public services committee.

Borough doctors lead heart trials
East End Life – circulation 70,000 - 16 January ‘12

Cardiologists working in the borough are to lead the largest adult stem cell therapy trial of its kind. Around 3,000 patients suffering heart attacks will be recruited on to the trial throughout the European Union to test whether stem cells administered shortly after a heart attack will prolong life.

NHS Trust saves £1m a year with text reminder service
Computer Weekly – 14,461 readers – 16 January ‘12
E-Health Insider – 39,000 readers – 18 January ‘12
Healthcare Today

A press release issued by Orange sparked renewed media interest in our text reminder service which launched 18 months ago and attracted positive publicity at the time. The latest articles referred to the savings the Trust has achieved through the automatic appointment reminder service. It has led to 6,563 fewer missed appointments between August 2010 to July 2011, saving us an estimated £150 per appointment.

Can female sex hormones beat brain damage?
Daily Mail – 2.1 million readers – 17 January ‘12
Daily Mail Scotland – 2.07 million readers – 17 January ‘12

The Royal London Hospital is one of five UK hospitals taking part in a major new trial using the sex hormone progesterone to treat brain injuries. Doctors believe progesterone may have a protective effect and are “testing the new approach on patients with traumatic brain injuries caused by road accidents, sports injuries, falls and assaults.” The study is the result of research by American doctors who became intrigued by reports that women with a brain injury tended to recover better than men.

Orange helps Barts and the London reduce missed appointments
Mena FM Online – 200,000 viewers per month – 12 January ‘12

Barts and the London have reduced the number of missed appointments by up to 20% in some areas since introducing a new text messaging service by Orange in 2010. Coverage was also secured on Telecom Paper Online (12 January ’12) which attracts 52,000 viewers per month.

Visit to GP could save your life
Newham Recorder – 12,000 readers – 11 January ‘12

In ongoing coverage of our ‘small c’ campaign, leading Trust oncologist Dr Tom Powles urged people to make a New Year’s resolution they could keep and visit their GP in 2012 as part of the campaign to boost cancer survival rates.

Thyroid cancer discussion
BBC World Service– 44.7 million listeners – 8 January ‘12

Trust Consultant ENT Surgeon Mike Dilkes spoke on Newshour – the BBC’s leading international news and current-affairs programme – about Argentinian president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s misdiagnosis of thyroid cancer. Cristina’s thyroid was found to be cancer free after being needlessly removed. Mr Dilkes discussed the prognosis for a patient after thyroid removal and the procedure’s implications on their long-term health.

‘Radioactive paint’ could cure skin cancer tumours in two hours
Huffington Post – 2.9million visitors per month – 6 January 2012

We organised for skin cancer specialist Professor Rino Cerio to give his opinion on a new, non-surgical skin cancer treatment that uses radioactive paint and could save up to 3,000 lives per year. Dr Cerio described the latest trials as “an important development as skin cancer is a huge problem in the UK with numbers rising each year.”

Pioneering team spearhead new treatment to keep hearts beating
Docklands and East London Advertiser – 24,000 readers – 5 January ‘12

A large two page picture spread profiled a prestigious, international trial led by Professor Anthony Mathur at the London Chest Hospital. The recently-announced study - the largest in the world which has been funded with an EU grant - aims to see if adult stem cells are effective in the treatment of heart attack victims. Professor Mathur hopes it will lead to better survival rates for heart attack victims and “a further 25 per cent reduction in the number of people who die within two years.”

New arrivals ensure 2012 gets off to the perfect start
The Docklands and East London Advertiser – 24,000 readers – 5 January ‘12

Four mothers who gave birth at the Royal London on New Year’s Day were profiled along with their “new bundles of joy”. Sister Ghislaine Baron was also photographed on the maternity ward.

Plans for merger of health trusts ‘would reduce patient choice’
The Docklands and East London Advertiser – 24,000 readers – 5 January ‘12

“The NHS competition watchdog has warned the proposed merger of three London hospitals will leave patients with less choice of care services.” The article, which described the planned merger as potentially creating the country’s largest NHS Trust, also included comments from Peter Morris declaring the merger would ‘rapidly realise substantial back-office savings, improved services and give us new opportunities to improve health and reduce health inequalities.”

Heed early warnings of breast and lung cancers
The Docklands and East London Advertiser – 24,000 readers – 5 January ‘12

In ongoing coverage of our ‘small c’ campaign, the article highlighted the importance of people visiting their GP in the new year to boost cancer survival rates. Trust Clinical Oncologist Dr Tom Powles encouraged people to visit their doctor in 2012 and a full list of symptoms for lung and breast cancer – two focus areas of the campaign – was also included in the article.

Stranger donated kidney after meeting at a party
Daybreak – 700,000 viewers – 4 January ‘12

There was further coverage of a successful transplant operation at the Royal London when Veronica Buttigieg spoke about her decision to donate a kidney to Manoly Viravong after meeting her at a party last year.

Trust nurse in New Year’s Honours List
Nursing Times – 160,000 visitors – 3 January ‘12

Daren Edwards, Trust Clinical Nurse Specialist in Plastic Surgery, was awarded an MBE for services to nursing in the Queen's New Year Honours List.

Why staying positive won’t speed your recovery
Daily Mail – 2.1million readers – 2 January ‘12

The Trust’s Head of Cancer Nursing, Claire Murrell, spoke about her concern that “too many people are urged to be positive after a cancer diagnosis when they need to be realistic and realise they will experience emotional lows.” Her comments were included in an article that explored whether a patient’s positive attitude helps or hinders their recovery.