WELCOME
Innovation is something we see a lot of at UCLH and this, underpinned by good patient care, is a theme that runs throughout this issue of UCLH Magazine.
One such innovation is a new way to treat patients who have lost their sense of smell following a COVD-19 infection. Consultant surgeon Professor Peter Andrews and his team have found that a surgical operation normally carried out to correct a blocked nasal passage, can have considerable benefits for long COVID patients with anosmia. Read more on page 10.
For some men, the treatment for prostate cancer can affect erectile function. On page 6, read about an innovative technique to improve the precision of prostate cancer surgery, which means that almost twice as many men preserve their erectile function compared to those undergoing standard surgery.
But innovation would be nothing without excellent patient care. In April, Sarah, Duchess of York, joined her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to visit the UCLH Teenage and Young Adult unit to meet young people with cancer and thank staff for their work in caring for them. Read more on page 4.
In this issue, as in all others, we celebrate our amazing staff, such as Elsa Palmer and Sarah Parker – two clinical nurse specialists in our Endometriosis Centre who have worked at UCLH and within the NHS for nearly 80 years combined. Sarah and Elsa were invited to attend this year’s VE Day celebration concert in recognition of their substantial contribution to public service and the wonderful care they have provided during their careers. As Sarah says in the article on page 14, the efficiency of modern medicine is incredible, but we must never lose the personal connection.
We also have an interview with consultant medical oncologist Karen DeSouza, who takes us through a day in her life at UCLH on page 12.
Plus, on page 8, read about a £1.5m donation to UCLH Charity for neonatal brain research and, on page 16, a website called iWantGreatCare, which allows patients to rate their experience of hospitals and other healthcare providers, including UCLH.
I hope you enjoy this issue!
David Probert,
Chief executive, UCLH
A special visit for young people with cancer
Sarah, Duchess of York, and Their Royal Highnesses Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie met young people with cancer at UCLH.
In a joint public appearance, the trio visited the UCLH Teenage and Young Adult unit to meet young people with cancer and thank staff for their work.
The Duchess and Princesses also met patients and youth support coordinators in the recreation space, known as the Hub. One patient, Matthew, played his guitar for the guests, while another, Lola, was excited to present Princess Eugenie with a bouquet.
This was the third visit to UCLH for the Duchess, who first came in 2005 to open the Teenage and Young Adult unit. She also visited in 2016 along with the Princesses in their roles as patrons of the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.
During this visit, they met with Lennon, 18, who was diagnosed with Lymphoma in January. Lennon said: "You don't meet Royalty every day and it's good they are visiting to raise awareness. There's a lot of negativity around cancer so trying to stay as positive as you can is important."
Speaking about her visit, the Duchess said: “This is the first chance I’ve had to visit a unit since my own cancer diagnosis, and meeting young people with cancer is always an incredibly moving experience.
“It’s incredibly important to me to try to amplify the voices and experiences of people with cancer who receive less attention, whose voices are not listened to and who can be overlooked.
“The young people receiving care on this unit and their parents are currently under tremendous stress and worry, but I take heart in knowing that the incredible team working here can provide comfort, care and hope.”
Vanessa Sweeney, chief nurse at UCLH, thanked the Duchess and Princesses for visiting. She added: “Their visit, and long-standing commitment to teenagers and young adults with cancer, is so important as we continue to strive to improve care and outcomes for this important group of patients.”
The young people receiving care on this unit and their parents are currently under tremendous stress and worry, but I take heart in knowing that the incredible team working here can provide comfort, care and hope.
Twice as many men recover erectile function after improved prostate cancer surgery
A new technique to improve the precision of prostate cancer surgery means that almost twice as many men preserve their erectile function compared to those undergoing standard surgery, according to results of a clinical trial led by researchers from UCLH and UCL.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in England, with 50,000 cases diagnosed each year. Treatment can require surgery, and this can often lead to erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
Now, the results of a recent trial raise the prospect of major quality-of-life improvements for men undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.
A new method of surgery for prostate cancer, called NeuroSAFE, aims to preserve the nerves that run through the prostate’s outer layers during prostate removal. These nerves are thought to be responsible for producing erections. It can also spare nerves around the bladder, which, if damaged, can lead to incontinence.
UCLH consultant urologist Professor Greg Shaw said: “Our results show that, by using NeuroSAFE, nearly twice as many men don’t have to face potentially life-changing loss of erectile function after prostate surgery.
“It is an involved procedure that requires expertise, but it isn’t expensive, particularly given the benefits it offers for patients and, most importantly, doesn’t jeopardise cancer control.”
The procedure involves checking prostate tissue removed from the patient while the operation is under way. If the examination suggests the tumour has been removed, the nerve-containing outer layer of the prostate can be left intact, reducing the patient’s risk of erectile and incontinence problems.
One of the patients who took part in the trial was Courtney Ming, 62, of east London. He said: “Going into surgery, there was no guarantee. The doctors made it clear that if my nerves contained cancer cells, they would have to remove them, and there would be no going back.
“Thankfully, the MRI and scans showed that my nerves were clear. That meant they could be spared, which was a huge relief.
“I still have an untouched pack of incontinence pads in my wardrobe as a souvenir – a reminder that my efforts paid off.”
The trial analysed outcomes for 344 men diagnosed with prostate cancer who were due to undergo prostate removal and who had no prior issues with erectile dysfunction. Half were randomised to receive NeuroSAFE during their operation and half had standard surgery.
The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, The Rosetrees Foundation, St Peter’s Charitable Trust and the Jon Moulton Charity Trust.
It is an involved procedure that requires expertise, but it isn’t expensive, particularly given the benefits it offers for patients
£1.5m donation to transform neonatal brain research
UCLH Charity is delighted to announce a generous £1.5 million donation from Bukhman Philanthropies which will allow researchers to explore treatments that could revolutionise the care of newborns facing life-threatening brain injuries.
This funding will support research to improve outcomes for infants affected by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) – the most common cause of brain injury in newborns, resulting from a lack of oxygen and blood flow during or shortly after birth. In the UK alone, more than 1,000 babies are affected by HIE each year.
The ENRICH study is led by Nikki Robertson, professor of perinatal neuroscience at UCL and honorary consultant neonatologist at UCLH. The study will explore the potential of Remote Ischemic Post-Conditioning (RIPostC), a promising treatment that helps protect the brain without needing an infusion of a medicine to reduce brain damage.
The team aims to evaluate whether combining RIPostC with existing treatments, such as cooling (therapeutic hypothermia), can provide extra brain protection and reduce long-term disabilities in affected babies.
David Probert, UCLH chief executive, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Bukhman Philanthropies for this transformative gift, which enables us to push the boundaries of medical research. We are truly excited about the potential impact of the ENRICH study and thank Bukhman Philanthropies’ for its vital role in making this research possible”.
Support the neonatal service
UCLH’s neonatal service is a recognised centre of excellence, caring for acutely ill and preterm babies. It is the only level 3 neonatal provision in North Central London. Level 3 is the highest level of care for babies who are very premature, critically ill, or require specialised medical care or continuous life support.
The team has highly trained neonatologists, nurses, and other experts who use advanced equipment like ventilators and other tools for monitoring and treating newborn babies.
The neonatal service is growing, and while the NHS is covering the costs of adding new cots, UCLH Charity is fundraising for items above and beyond this which will support patients, families and staff.
How long COVID patients with lost sense of smell can be helped with surgery
A surgical operation normally carried out to correct a blocked nasal passage may help patients who have lost their sense of smell after contracting COVID-19, according to new research from UCLH.
UCLH clinicians, led by consultant surgeon Professor Peter Andrews, have found that functional septorhinoplasty (fSRP) could be an option for long COVID patients with an impaired sense of smell if existing treatments, such as smell training and oral/topical corticosteroids, fail.
FSRP aims to improve nasal blockage by correcting a bent or narrow nose which, as a result, increases nasal airflow. This is because part of the procedure involves strengthening and widening the internal nasal valves.
“The wider the internal nasal valve is, the more air reaches the olfactory [sense of smell] system,” explains Professor Andrews. “The theory is that significantly improving the air supply will kick-start neuron growth. We think this operation sort of shakes the olfactory system around and reactivates it to begin this natural regeneration process.”
The researchers have cautioned, however, that this is early-stage research and replicating the results in larger groups of people will be needed first before it becomes established practice.
What is long COVID?
Most people with COVID-19 feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks.
For some people, symptoms can last longer. This is called long COVID or post COVID-19 syndrome. Long COVID is a new condition which is still being studied, including at UCLH.
Jake's experience
The procedure helped patient Jake Moulson regain his sense of smell and start to enjoy food again following three years of impaired smell after contracting the virus.
Jake, 45, a university lecturer from east London said: “Although my smell has not returned to what it was before COVID, the quality has improved massively and the smells are now the way I remember them. There’s a much larger range and less of the absence of smell I experienced before.
“Surgery sounds like a big step to take, but I’m glad I did it because I found it rather unnerving to have to rely on someone else to help me identify smells.
“It has also really helped me regain my enjoyment of smells and tastes. I love that I can smell spring blossom and the earthiness when out walking and I like that food tastes the way I remember it.”
Karen Desouza, Consultant medical oncologist
Karen DeSouza is a consultant medical oncologist, working across UCLH and Whittington Health.
What is the purpose of your role?
I am a consultant medical oncologist, caring for people diagnosed with cancer, with a particular focus on breast cancer. I work across both UCLH and Whittington Health.
My role involves delivering high-quality, compassionate cancer care and improving patient outcomes and experience. I am also actively involved in research and education, helping to advance how we treat and understand cancer.
At the Whittington Hospital, I am the lead cancer clinician and the lead for SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy) services. SACT includes anti-cancer drugs such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In my role, I focus on improving how these services are delivered - making them safer, more efficient, and better tailored to patients’ needs.
What does a typical working day involve for you?
A typical working day involves a mix of clinical care, leadership, research and teaching.
I look after patients with cancer in both outpatient clinics, and on the wards at UCLH and Whittington Hospital. My week includes multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, team huddles, research services projects, and teaching sessions. I also lead on service development and improvement work, helping shape how cancer care is delivered.
At the heart of everything I do is a focus on high-quality care, advancing cancer treatment, and making sure patients feel supported and empowered throughout their journey.
What skills do you need for your role?
My role requires a broad and balanced set of skills. Clinically, I need strong diagnostic and treatment planning abilities in oncology, along with the ability to provide safe, effective and compassionate care to patients.
As a clinical lead, I also use leadership and management skills to help improve cancer services. This includes identifying areas where care can be streamlined, supporting staff through training, and working closely with teams across the hospital to ensure services run safely and efficiently.
Good communication, teamwork, and a focus on patient experience are essential to everything I do.
What is your proudest moment at UCLH?
I am proud of the cancer services we deliver, which have a real impact on patients across both UCLH and Whittington Health.
One moment that stands out was safely treating a pregnant patient with chemotherapy for high-risk breast cancer at UCLH.
It was a complex case that required close teamwork across several specialist teams, and I am pleased to say both the mother and baby are doing well. It’s moments like this that highlight the strength of our multidisciplinary approach.
I feel that my work as a consultant across both UCLH and Whittington Health has helped strengthen the partnership between our cancer services, in both research and clinical care, bringing benefits for patients and staff.
Work with us!
We’re looking for people who will live our values and help us make a difference to the thousands of patients who come to us for treatment every year. We believe that every member of staff plays an important role in our vision, whatever their role.
Working as a doctor at both UCLH and the Whittington strengthens the partnership between our cancer services.
UCLH nurses attend VE Day celebration
Two UCLH nurses who have dedicated their entire careers to the NHS were invited to attend this year’s VE Day celebration concert in recognition of their public service.
Elsa Palmer and Sarah Parker are clinical nurse specialists in endometriosis, and between them they have worked at UCLH and within the NHS for nearly 80 years; Elsa joined in 1982 and Sarah in 1977.
The pair work together in UCLH’s Endometriosis Centre and were part of the multidisciplinary team which was instrumental in its establishment.
Many patients from across the country have benefited from the effective assessment and treatment the clinic provides under one roof.
Elsa said: “Sarah and I worked together to build the reputation of our department alongside our consultants, who are past and current presidents of the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE).
“We pushed boundaries. We developed policies, trained new clinical nurse specialists and travelled across the UK presenting at conferences. We worked hard and, over the years, we adapted, improved, and established a dedicated, well-respected endometriosis service.”
Sarah said: “One of the most important things I have learned over my career is that the efficiency of modern medicine is incredible, but we must never lose the personal connection. It’s not just about what we say to patients; it’s how we say it.
“Many women with endometriosis have been largely misunderstood or misdiagnosed.
Listening, empathising, and offering support and guidance that respects their experiences is vital.”
Sarah added: “We were really pleased to be invited to the VE Day concert, and to feel that our contribution to the NHS was being acknowledged. It was a particularly moving evening, and we were delighted to be part of it.”
UCLH chief nurse Vanessa Sweeney said: “Sarah and Elsa have played a vital role in the success of our Endometriosis Centre and the development of the service.
“They have contributed significantly, not only in years but through their experience and expertise, their development of the wider professional community and, most importantly, the extraordinary difference they have made to patients.
“I am hugely grateful for their exemplary contribution to UCLH and the nursing profession.”
We must never lose the personal connection. It’s not just about what we say to patients; it’s how we say it.
Putting patient feedback at the heart of what we do
Listening to patients and carers is central to how we design and improve care at UCLH.
The UCLH Patient Experience team has recently introduced new ways to make sure the patient voice is heard and acted upon.
Through a new patient feedback system, iWantGreatCare, patients have the opportunity to share their experience, whether they’re being treated in hospital, at home, or through one of our community services.
The system has tools for analysing the feedback which, when compiled with other data, gives us a richer picture of patients’ experiences of our services. This means teams across UCLH can understand what’s working well and where improvements are needed.
The Patient Experience team also regularly shares patient stories at the Board of Directors’ meetings. These stories are a powerful way to ensure our most senior leaders stay connected to the people we care for. The themes of the stories vary, but for the first year of the project we had a special focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and the team shared these stories via short videos.
The stories are also cascaded throughout UCLH so all staff can learn from the key themes and help implement any resulting actions.
By combining data and personal experiences, we’re making the patient voice integral to how UCLH grows and improves.
Annual members meeting
Join us on Tuesday 30 September 2025, 15:30-17:30 in the Education Centre, 250 Euston Road for our in-person Annual Members Meeting (AMM). Our chair, Julia Neuberger, will open the meeting and will be followed by our chief executive, David Probert, who will outline UCLH’s achievements and activities over the last year, and the challenges we face ahead.
Our governors officially receive our annual report and accounts at the meeting.
For further details and to register for a place, please contact uclh.members@nhs.net.
UCLH Videos
Catch up on our latest video, which highlights the importance of play in healthcare at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), and features various play specialists explaining their roles and the benefits of play for patients of all ages.