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Patients assessed before their surgery now have new, more accessible and spacious surroundings after a new ward catering for up to 250 patients per week was opened in Wolverhampton. Ward A18, near the West entrance of New Cross Hospital, is a purpose-built department and fully nurse-run clinic assessing the fitness of patients requiring a general anaesthetic prior to elective surgery at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

Our clinical teams here at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust regularly review non-emergency waiting lists to reduce delays for those who still need our services. To support with this continued work, we will shortly be contacting patients in phases, by text message, asking them to let us know if they still need treatment. This message won’t come from a named sender but it will start with ‘The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.’

Patients with flu are being hospitalised in increasing numbers across the Black Country prompting health chiefs to urge people to take up their vaccinations to better protect themselves against the virus. Some patients are so poorly that they are on ventilators in critical care – particularly those with underlying health conditions who are more likely to develop complications. The infection can be fatal and each year across the UK flu and pneumonia kill around 30,000 people.

“I did all the Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and sorted all the presents – then when I sat down at 11pm I thought something’s happening!” Wednesfield mum Marie Smith welcomed Christmas Day daughter Rosie-Mae at New Cross Hospital. Her fifth baby arrived at 3.47am, weighing 6 pounds and 15 ounces, and was just over two weeks early.

Care from the comfort of their own home has made a real difference to Georgina Thomas and baby son Alfie who have been supported by the Paediatric Virtual Ward at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. Virtual wards allow patients to get the care they need at home, safely and conveniently, rather than being in hospital. Support includes remote monitoring using app technology and medical devices as well as face-to-face care from multi-disciplinary teams based in the community.

GP practices across Wolverhampton have received recognition for their high-quality annual health checks which are offered to people with learning disabilities. Annual health checks are vital for adults with learning disabilities as evidence suggests they are an effective way to identify previously unrecognised health needs or life-threatening illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes.

Children from a Wolverhampton school brought some festive cheer to patients who will be spending Christmas in hospital. Pupils from St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School in Parkfields made Christmas cards and sang carols at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, with the cards being distributed to patients and staff. The children sang at New Cross Hospital. Headteacher Stacey McHale said: “Part of our Christian values is that we encourage the children to think of those in most need at Christmas.

For my second blog, I want to offer a personal view on equality, diversity and inclusivity awareness. Recently we were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE and her consort, to New Cross Hospital as part of our celebrations for Black History Month. More than 40 people gathered in the marquee outside the Emergency Department along with Councillor Samuels to hear and see some of the fantastic work from colleagues across The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

Children with cancer can now play FIFA from hospital after a £2,600 medical gaming cart was donated from young fundraisers – provided by an organisation hit by a double tragedy. Patient Alfie Hinks, 13, raised almost £1,200 for the Children’s Ward where he was treated at New Cross Hospital. Alfie, from Bentley Bridge, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, or brain tumour, in September 2019. Although he has now made a full recovery, Alfie spent a lot of time on the Children’s Ward over a two-year period before being given the all clear.

Wolverhampton has gained national recognition for its liver service, giving “high quality care” to its patients. The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) has been awarded Improving Quality in Liver Services (IQILS) level 2 accreditation by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). Based across New Cross Hospital and Cannock Chase Hospital, the Trust’s liver service is one of only eight to have been accredited in England, Wales and Northern Ireland after the scheme was launched in July 2017 by the RCP to improve quality in liver services.

Forget the World Cup – a Wolverhampton nurse has a Black Country derby every day because of her football-mad sons. Alfie Round, 13, has been signed at West Bromwich Albion since October 2021 and now plays in their under-14s and brother Samuel Round, 10, has been with Wolves since the age of eight and plays for their under-10s. Mum is Steph Friedl, 45, Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, and with IT worker dad Steven Round, 46, they live in Wolverhampton.

Two Black Country NHS Trusts have welcomed another 60 international nurses from all around the world – with more to follow. The Royal Wolverhampton (RWT) and Walsall Healthcare have recruited a total 60 nurses from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and The Philippines, with 28 starting at RWT and 32 at Walsall this week. After flying into the UK and arriving at GTG Training Centre Willenhall, the nurses – who range in age from 22-55 – attended a week-long pastoral programme to support them in settling down and in their transition to the UK.

Senior nurses across two Black Country NHS Trusts have been clearing their diaries to spend time with their clinical teams as part of a #BackToTheFloorFriday initiative. This sees Matrons, Ward Managers and nurses in senior and management roles working on wards and in community services across Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).

Wolves favourite Steve Daley was on target with his message at another successful prostate cancer awareness event at Molineux. More than 30 men of all ages, from all communities, attended the event, in association with Wolves Foundation at Sir Jack’s Restaurant. Jenny Akins and Nicola Farnell – the urology nurse specialists at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) – explained where the prostate is, what it is for and does.

Staff, patients and guests gathered together at New Cross Hospital for a Christmas extravaganza – featuring market stalls, music and special guests. The event, organised by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity, saw the area outside the Emergency Department and all the Christmas trees around the site lit up yesterday. Local businesses sold a selection of goodies – everything from bags to candles and perfume, and the Trust’s Choir, The RWT Singers, serenaded the crowd with carols and seasonal songs.

World Aids Day will be recognised in Wolverhampton today with free HIV testing in the city centre and an evening vigil. Testing, advice and information on prevention will be available at the COVID-19 Vaccine Hub in the Mander Centre, from 9am-4pm. Staff from Embrace, Wolverhampton’s Sexual Health Service, Lovejoy Guinto, HIV Nurse Specialist Team Leader, and Holly Kidston, HIV Health Adviser will be on hand to answer any questions and conduct testing in a private clinic.