June 2023

From the Chief Executive

Before we move towards summer, I would just like to take the opportunity to reflect on the last couple of months and everything the Trust has achieved.

I am incredibly proud of the innovative work that our staff and services are leading on which was highlighted through Mental Health Awareness Week, with Trust staff going above and beyond to champion mental health.

We saw the launch of the Wellbeing and Recovery College at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust with some of our staff even making it onto Match of the Day to encourage people to engage with mental health services.

In the same week, I was lucky enough to visit Ham House and see the wonderful Centenary Quilt which has been made by patients to mark 100 years of the Cassel Hospital.

We've also been celebrating Trust international nursing staff with the return of the nursing conference, which has become a key date in the Trust calendar. Well done to one of our staff members Louai Sharkawi, a refugee nurse from Palestine working with us, who was interviewed by Nursing Times as part of International Nurses Day.

As we look forward, I would like to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the NHS 75th birthday celebrations, of which there are lots planned, and save the date (Wednesday 12 July) for the upcoming Annual General Meeting. It would be great to see as many of you there as possible.

Carolyn Regan

Chief Executive

Great turnout at launch of Wellbeing and Recovery College with staff featured on Match of the Day

The launch of the Wellbeing and Recovery College at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust happened on Tuesday 16 May and saw over 100 people attend.

There were performances from the Chiswick Community School steel band before attendees were introduced to the Wellbeing and Recovery College and its plans for the future.

In the afternoon, staff from West London NHS Trust were interviewed by Match of the Day who were filming at Brentford FC and recorded a segment on the college as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Hollywood actor Will Poulter records video of thanks for NHS staff

Hollywood star Will Poulter showed his support for West London NHS Trust staff during Mental Health Awareness Week (15 to 21 May).

The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 actor attended the Ealing Project cinema on Monday 15 May to announce his appointment as an ambassador for Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind.

During the event, which saw Will surprise young fans at a screening of the hit new Marvel film, he took time to pose for pictures with NHS staff and recorded a video of thanks.

100 years of the Cassel Hospital marked with special centenary quilt

This year the Trust is celebrating 100 years since the founding of the Cassel Hospital, a psychiatric facility which offers treatment to adults with severe and complex personality disorders.

The hospital was founded in 1919, however, due to Covid-19 the Trust made the decision to push back celebrations.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, the Trust showcased a special centenary quilt at Ham House and Gardens made by former patient and palliative care nurse and lecturer Hannah Cadogan.

Trust retains 'Outstanding' overall rating for forensic inpatient/secure wards after CQC inspection

A recent inspection focusing on the women's forensic service at the Orchard Unit in Southall resulted in a ‘requires improvement’ rating from the CQC.

The inspection was of the forensic inpatient/secure wards at the Trust and the rating was given for the category of ‘safety’.

However, this is just one area the service was marked in, which means the forensic inpatient/ secure wards have retained their 'Outstanding' overall rating.

Trust launches new recruitment campaign ‘We Are West London: Your Place to Thrive’

The Trust is taking a proactive approach to filling vacancies by launching an exciting new recruitment campaign.

Titled 'We Are West London. Your Place to Thrive' - the campaign is aimed at attracting new starters to join the Trust and grow their careers.

As a Trust we're championing equality, diversity and inclusivity, reflecting the diverse population of over 1 million who we serve, and we're keen to work with people who are passionate about what they do.

Save the date - Trust AGM

This year’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 12 July over Zoom.

The meeting will be chaired by the Trust’s CEO Carolyn Regan and will take a look back at the last year as well as priorities for the year ahead.

The Trust is currently putting together its agenda for the virtual event and will be updating its website with details as soon as possible.

It will be great to see as many stakeholders as possible for the meeting.

It’s the NHS’ 75th birthday!

As many will have heard this year the NHS turns 75 years old with its birthday on Wednesday 5 July. To celebrate the important milestone the Trust has a number of plans and wants the public to join in some of the fun.

Keep an eye out when visiting our services for some of our beautiful garden spaces. We're launching a West London in Bloom competition for our staff and there's already a buzz among services looking to win first place. 

Are you free on the weekend of 8 July and 9 July? The NHS will be teaming up with Parkrun so why not come along, take part or even volunteer, it will be a great way to celebrate our beloved NHS.

The NHS Big Tea will be returning on 5 July with staff and members of the public encouraged to host their own Big Tea events to raise a mug and some money for the West London NHS charity.

International Nurses Day shines spotlight on Trust diversity

The Trust celebrated International Nurses Day with a day full of festivities and appreciation for its nursing staff.

The Trust held its annual nursing conference and published a number of thoughtful blogs from its international workforce about what it means to be a nurse.

Louai Sharkawi, one of the Trust's refugee nurses, was also interviewed by Nursing Times for International Nurses Day. 

He shared his story about fleeing his home country of Palestine and then travelling from Lebanon to the UK to work as a Healthcare Assistant for West London NHS Trust.

Trust marks Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

The Trust marked Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week by launching a brand new campaign.

The 'You're Not alone' campaign is targeting women aged 18 to 44 years old in Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow and Ealing and shining a spotlight on its perinatal mental health service.

The campaign will raise awareness of the service and aims to increase referral rates for mental health support services for women during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy and eighteen months after birth.

As well as launching this new campaign, the Trust published eye-opening blogs from staff who have experienced post-natal depression and their journey of recovery.

Great turnout at second Refu-tea event in NWL

Last month (May), the Trust held its second Refu-tea recruitment event at Trailfinders Sports Club in Ealing.

The event was a hit with more than 100 sign ups from refugees looking to work for NHS jobs in North West London. 

The day resulted in 15 expressions of interest, meanwhile, the number of refugee staff working for the Trust has risen to 25.

Trust's Head of EDI interviewed by local news website

The Trust's Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Adebayo Tijani, has been interviewed by Ealing.News about his role at the Trust.

During the interview, Adebayo explained some of the initiatives and schemes the Trust is involved with, including the rollout of NHS Rainbow Badges and Stonewall Bronze Award.

Adebayo also shared some of the Trust's goals including improving accessibility for staff and patients with disabilities and how the Trust aims to achieve this.

Trust services accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists

The Trust is pleased to announce that two of its liaison psychiatry services have been accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The college's Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network also known as PLAN has accredited both the Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow Liaison Psychiatry Services.

Dr Vincent Law, who is Interim Clinical Director of Psychological Medicine, said: "I'm very proud of the achievement by our teams and a huge thanks for their ongoing hard work. It's great to see the positive feedback from the reviewers and service users."