December 2010 - January 2011

BMA News – 29 January
A very long engagement
This full-page colour feature described the recent premiere of a film about Dr Bill Frankland, who had a long career in allergy at St Mary’s Hospital.
The film was produced by Trust allergy consultant Dr Sophie Farooque, who is interviewed in the article.
The story also gives positive coverage of our allergy service, stating that St Mary’s runs one of the few penicillin allergy clinics in the UK.

BBC Online – 23 January 2011
‘My type 2 diabetes was cured after gastric bypass op’
Bariatric patient Steven Greggains described how his type 2 diabetes was cured after undergoing gastric bypass surgery at the Imperial Weight Centre.
Dr Carel le Roux spoke about research he has undertaken into the effect bariatric surgery has on gut hormones which help to restore blood sugar levels to normal.
BBC Online

Deutsche Welle – 20 January 2011
Semen allergy suspected in rare post-orgasm illness
This German website interviewed St Mary’s Hospital consultant in sexual health Dr David Goldmeier about research on post orgasmic illness syndrome.

Conservative Home – 19 January 2011
The website Conservative Home featured comments by chief executive Stephen Smith with regard to upcoming UK health reforms. Speaking at the Reform summit, he was quoted as saying: “we need to move much faster in the United Kingdom. All of the issues about shifting care, it is not about preventing people coming to hospital, it is about providing better care.”
Conservative Home

Westminster Chronicle – 14 January 2010
Cancer help
A clinical nurse specialist has published a book for nurses and other healthcare professionals caring for patients with breast cancer.
Vickki Harmer, who works in the breast care unit at St Mary’s Hospital, said the comprehensive handbook deals with all aspects of the disease from genetics, screening, treatment and the associated psychological impact.

Guardian podcast – 13 January 2011
Multiple sclerosis and the cost of being ill
A consultant neurologist and MS nurse from Charing Cross Hospital were interviewed for a podcast about how changes in the NHS might affect MS patients.
Dr Richard Nicholas said it was unclear at present how funding constraints would affect MS treatments.
Nurse Caroline D’Arcy described the challenges that MS patients encounter such as chronic fatigue.
Guardian

Daily Express – 11 January 2011
The chip that reminds us to take our pills
The Daily Express reported on technology being trialled at Imperial College Healthcare where a high-tech electronic skin patch stuck on the patient’s arm alerts them when they forget to take their medicine by sending a text message to their mobile phone.
Professor Nicholas Peters of Imperial College Healthcare, who set up the trial, said that the new technology would: “empower patients to see the benefits of taking their tablets and monitor how their medication helps them to stay well.”
Daily Express

Daily Mail – January 11
How to treat thrush
Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at St Mary’s Hospital, Etienne Horner, gave practical advice on how to tackle yeast infection in an article in the print version of the Daily Mail.

Daily Mail – January 9
Fears over mutating swine flu virus that could render vaccine useless
Asthma specialist nurse from the chest and allergy clinic at St Mary’s Hospital is quoted in a story about the MOSAIC translational research project into flu, a joint study between the Trust and Imperial College London.
Daily Mail

Westminster Chronicle – January 7
MBE for respected St Mary’s Hospital scientist
This story describes the achievements of chief biomedical scientist of special haematology Lorry Phelan, who has been made an MBE after working at St Mary’s Hospital for 36 years.
Lorry was also featured in the Nursing Times, Harrow Observer and Harrow Times.
Westminster Chronicle

Westminster Chronicle – December 31
Singing star supports hospital site
This article describes how X Factor star John Adeleye attended a Christmas party at St Mary’s Hospital to launch a website for Trust paediatric patients.

h&f news – 14 December 2010
Six-month pilot scheme will help fight the flab
Tackling obesity at the heart of the community is the aim of a new clinic run by our specialists in a GP surgery.
Staff from Imperial Weight Centre are working alongside GPs and practice nurses in the Brook Green Medical Centre in Hammersmith.

BBC News – 10 December 2010
London student ‘struck by a truncheon’ has brain injury
Charing Cross Hospital was referenced in a number of media outlets following the admission of student Alfie Meadows who was allegedly struck by a police truncheon in the student tuition fees protest.
Mrs Matthews, Alfie’s mother, was interviewed outside of the hospital by the BBC, ITN and Press Association, during a peaceful vigil held by fellow students. It was reported that Alfie underwent surgery at Charing Cross Hospital.
BBC News