WELCOME
This year is a special one for our academic partner UCL, which is celebrating its 200th birthday. UCL is London’s oldest university and has an illustrious history. We are immensely proud of our special relationship, and we value our colleagues and friends in their endeavour to show that knowledge, research and innovation can serve as a force for good in the world. As always in this magazine, we’re celebrating some of the great work we’ve been doing in partnership with UCL, such as the trial of a new brain chip that allows people with severe paralysis to control a computer with their thoughts (page 4). For some time, we’ve been working in partnership with UCL to explore how innovative CAR T cell therapy can be used to treat certain blood cancers and lupus. Now, a new trial is investigating whether CAR T could also be used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Read more on page 6. We’re also looking at a joint UCLH and UCL clinical trial to test whether proton beam therapy (PBT) can significantly improve survival for patients with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lung (page 8). This year, we’ve also seen the launch of the government’s National Cancer Plan for England. UCLH’s prostate cancer buddy scheme, which launched in 2024 and supports men of African and Caribbean heritage needing prostate cancer treatment, is highlighted as an example of good practice in the plan (see page 14). UCLH is one of the largest and most advanced radiotherapy centres in Europe and will soon be treating more than half of all children in England who require radiotherapy. However, we need to improve the environment where these young patients spend significant time during their treatment, so the UCLH Charity Cancer Fund is aiming to raise £150,000 to make this happen. Read more and see how you can support the campaign on page 10. And, on page 16, read about basketball legend Isiah Thomas’s visit to patients on our Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit. As all of us who work in healthcare understand these days, there is no health without mental health. To help ensure we are working to improve outcomes for patients with mental health issues, we’ve recently appointed a new lead nurse for mental health, Laura Murphy, who you can meet on page 12. Finally, I’d like to end by saying a huge thank you to Baroness Julia Neuberger, who will step down from her role as chair of UCLH on 30 September, after more than seven years. Julia has led with compassion and clarity of purpose for which we are hugely grateful. As well as being an inspiring colleague, Julia is also a trusted friend to many at UCLH and she will be sorely missed. Read more on page 15.
We hope you enjoy this issue!
David Probert,
Chief executive, UCLH
UCLH trial of brain chip gives hope to people with severe paralysis
Seven patients with severe paralysis have had a chip implanted in their brain allowing them to control a computer with only their thoughts. This incredible technology, developed by Neuralink and being trialled at UCLH, is helping people who are paralysed to regain some independence and their ability to communicate. The patients had their surgeries at UCLH’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) as part of the GB-PRIME study evaluating the safety and functionality of Neuralink’s BCI implant. The technology, which is precisely implanted using a robot, uses more than a thousand electrodes to transmit nerve signals to the chip, which then sends data wirelessly to a computer. AI software ‘learns’ to interpret the brain’s electrical signals. So, when a patient like Sebastian Gomez (below) thinks about moving his hand or tapping his finger, it appears on his screen as cursor movement or the ‘click’ of a mouse, effectively restoring the hand control his accident destroyed. The principal investigator at UCLH, Mr William Muirhead, consultant neurosurgeon at the NHNN, said: “Brain-computer interfaces hold tremendous potential for alleviating the devastating impact of neurological conditions such as paralysis, loss of speech, and blindness. “It has been a privilege to work with our seven study participants; they are brave pioneers of brain-computer interface technology.” Chief investigator Mr Harith Akram, a consultant neurosurgeon at the NHNN and honorary clinical associate professor at UCL, undertook several of the surgeries. He said: “To witness patients beginning to communicate, interact, and reclaim aspects of daily life through computers is deeply moving, and a powerful reminder of why this work matters.” Participants in GB-PRIME have been working with clinicians, researchers and engineers across UCLH and Neuralink to assess safety, usability, and potential applications of the implant. Follow-up appointments and research sessions provide ongoing support and inform potential refinements of the device. The study is being undertaken at the NIHR UCLH Clinical Research Facility and is supported by the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre. The Joint Research Office at UCLH and UCL played a crucial role in setting up the study and continues to support clinical service management teams at the NHNN.
Meet Sebastian
One of the patients in the study is Sebastian Gomez, a UCL medical student who lost the use of his limbs after a diving accident. Since having the chip surgically implanted, Sebastian can use a computer and mobile phone just by thought. He said: “It’s a massive change when suddenly you can no longer move any of your limbs and this kind of technology gives you a new piece of hope. “Everyone in my position tries to move parts of their body to see if there is any form of recovery. Now I can think of moving my hands to the left or right and the technology understands what I want it to do – and it does it.”
First UK patient to trial new treatment for multiple sclerosis
A UCLH patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the first in the UK to receive CAR T cell therapy in a clinical trial testing whether this personalised treatment may slow, or even halt, the progression of the disease.
MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. While treatments can help manage symptoms, none are fully effective in preventing long-term progression of the disease. One possibility is using CAR T cell therapy, a type of highly specialised immunotherapy, which has already proved effective in treating blood cancers and is also being trialled in people with lupus. CAR T cell therapy aims to reset the immune system by depleting B cells, which are thought to drive the autoimmune attack in MS. The therapy modifies the patient’s own T cells to target and eliminate B cells, potentially leading to long-term remission and halting disease progression. The principal investigator of the clinical trial is Dr Wallace Brownlee, a consultant neurologist at UCLH and clinical lead for multiple sclerosis at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Dr Brownlee said: “Although treatments for MS have dramatically improved in recent years, none of the available medication fully stops relapses or progression of the illness. “CAR T cell therapy is an exciting new frontier in the treatment of autoimmune conditions, and this trial will be essential to understanding the feasibility and safety of CAR T in people with MS.” UCLH consultant haematologist Claire Roddie added: “Our ultimate goal is to achieve long periods of disease remission with a single, one-time CAR T treatment.” Dr Roddie is also associate professor in haemato-oncology at UCL and has been instrumental to the UCL/UCLH collaboration on new treatments using CAR T cell therapy.
Meet Emily
Emily Henders was diagnosed with MS in 2021 after experiencing tingling in her hands, and her relapses got progressively worse in subsequent years. In October 2025, she was the first patient with MS in the UK to receive CAR T cell therapy at UCLH, as part of a global clinical trial. Emily said: “I hope taking part in the trial means I will never have to experience another relapse and that my MS symptoms will not progress. “I know it is still experimental, but it offers a scientific rationale which, as a biology teacher, makes sense to me. “While the path is unpredictable and daunting, I refuse to let MS dictate my life and I remain hopeful, not only for myself but for others who may one day benefit from advances in treatment.”
Proton beam therapy offers targeted treatment for mesothelioma lung cancer
Proton beam therapy (PBT) – a highly targeted form of radiotherapy – is already being used to treat a range of cancers at UCLH. Now, clinician researchers at UCLH and UCL are leading a major UK trial to test whether PBT can improve survival for patients with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Although there’s no cure for mesothelioma, researchers hope the treatment could increase two-year survival rates from around 30 to 50 per cent, potentially reshaping national treatment guidelines. Mesothelioma is usually caused by asbestos exposure and most commonly affects the lining around the lungs (pleural mesothelioma). More than 2,700 people are diagnosed in the UK each year, predominantly older men. Treatment options are limited. Standard radiotherapy can help control small areas of mesothelioma, such as painful tumours, but is not usually suitable for treating the full lining of the lung, where the disease spreads. Proton beam therapy, on the other hand, uses targeted beams of protons that deposit most of their energy directly in the tumour, minimising radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. For mesothelioma, this approach could dramatically reduce radiation to critical organs, potentially allowing more effective treatment with fewer side effects. Chief investigator of the trial Dr Crispin Hiley, who is a UCLH consultant oncologist and associate professor at the UCL Cancer Institute, said: “Mesothelioma is one of the most challenging cancers we treat but proton beam therapy allows us to deliver high-dose radiation far more precisely, sparing critical organs like the heart and healthy lung.” The trial, which is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, is open to patients whose mesothelioma is confined to the lining of one lung and who have not yet received anti-cancer treatment. One of the patients taking part is Peter Littlefield from Portsmouth, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma last autumn after developing a persistent cough and breathlessness. Peter said: “When they told me I had cancer, I felt shocked, of course, but almost straight away I went into practical mode: ‘right, let’s deal with it.’ “Surgery wasn’t an option, and neither chemotherapy, nor standard radiotherapy would be effective, but when they mentioned this trial using proton beam therapy, I said yes immediately. “I don’t know how I’ll respond, but I’m hopeful. If it can slow things down, give me more time, and help me stay active, that’s what matters most to me. I’m not ready to sit still, and I’m certainly not ready to give up.” If successful, the HIT-MESO trial could lead to proton beam therapy becoming a new standard treatment for selected mesothelioma patients, offering improved survival and better quality of life.
I’m not ready to sit still, and I’m certainly not ready to give up.
Support our children’s radiotherapy unit appeal
UCLH is one of the largest and most advanced radiotherapy centres in Europe and will soon be treating more than half of all children in England who require radiotherapy.
Families travel from across the country to UCLH for specialist care. However, the environment in which these young patients spend significant time no longer meets the standard of the clinical expertise. Children undergoing radiotherapy may attend hospital every weekday for up to six weeks. Many spend long periods away from home. Parents, carers, and staff consistently tell us that the current environment does not reflect the exceptional care provided.
Our plans
With your support, the UCLH Charity Cancer Fund is aiming to raise £150,000 to transform the children’s radiotherapy environment by:
- refurbishing the recovery room to create a calm, reassuring space for children waking from anaesthesia
- revitalising the playroom with sensory equipment, books, consoles and comfortable seating
- improving the isolation room for vulnerable patients who must be kept apart for safety
- introducing interactive lighting and technology to bring comfort and distraction into a windowless unit
- replacing worn furniture and storage to create a more organised, welcoming environment
How you can help
Your donation will help create a radiotherapy unit that supports children, not only clinically, but emotionally and psychologically, too.
- £25 could provide new creative materials and toys
- £100 could help enhance the recovery room
- £500 could fund sensory or interactive equipment
Every contribution brings us closer to a space that truly reflects the world‑class care young patients receive. To donate, visit www.uclhcharity.org.uk/donate
Thank you for your support, together we can do more.
Cody's story
Cody (pictured) is receiving six weeks of radiotherapy for a stage‑four germ cell tumour and spends many hours in the children’s radiotherapy unit each week. His mother, Shona, describes the impact of the surroundings: “The treatment, care and staff at UCLH have been brilliant. Cody actually loves coming in and spending time with Claire, the lead health play specialist, in the playroom. It’s really important he looks forward to it, as it helps to calm him before treatment. “But the treatment space is very clinical and the children’s areas need improvement, especially the isolation area where we spent over a week. When he was having a good day, he still wanted to run and play but we had to spend hours isolated, which was quite difficult. “The playroom needs renovating too. The equipment and toys need updating and there’s not enough storage. It could look a lot more inviting for children and their carers, especially when you spend so much time waiting for treatment.”
Laura Murphy, Lead nurse for mental health
Having joined UCLH in January 2026 and bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience, Laura is working to improve health outcomes for patients with mental illness, whose physical health needs can often be missed, delayed, or treated differently.
What is the purpose of your role? Lead nurse for mental health is a new role at UCLH and it exists for one simple reason: there is no health without mental health. We know from evidence that people living with mental illness experience poorer physical health outcomes and often die younger. This is not because of their diagnosis alone but because their physical health needs are often missed, delayed, or treated differently. At its heart, the role is about helping teams feel confident caring for patients with complex, comorbid physical and mental health conditions. What does your job involve day to day? I like to start the day with a coffee and a mindful moment before things get busy. A lot of my time is currently focused on reviewing the UCLH mental health strategy, which means engaging with key stakeholders across UCLH. I always try to get out clinically to support teams with complex cases. I’ll meet with matrons and directors of nursing to discuss incidents, complaints and safeguarding concerns. I also spend time linking in with the psychiatric liaison team and our wider mental health partners to support timely care for patients waiting for mental health input. I do try to protect time for a proper lunch break to pause and reflect to be a positive role model. No two days ever look the same, which is one of the things I love about the role. How did you become lead nurse for mental health? I originally trained as a dental nurse. While working in dentistry, I became particularly interested in the oral health of people living with bulimia nervosa, as well as patients who required facial reconstruction or prosthetics following mouth cancer. I began to see the strong connection between physical and mental health and how often the two were treated separately. Wanting to support patients more holistically, I trained as a registered mental health nurse (RMN). Since then, I’ve worked across a range of NHS settings, including acute mental health wards, crisis services and psychiatric liaison teams, and as an advanced clinical practitioner in adult acute services. Before joining UCLH, I worked as a consultant nurse for eating disorders. Best part of the job? Spending time with patients is a real privilege. Being a champion for diversity and progressive, inclusive nursing practice is a big part of what drives me. I care deeply about advocating for people whose voices aren’t always heard and pushing for change where systems don’t yet work equitably for everyone. I also enjoy research and development, using evidence to improve practice and shape better, more equitable care for the future. What skills do you need? Being a registered nurse is essential, of course (extra points if you are dual qualified, an advanced clinical practitioner, or practice at consultant level) but beyond that, the most important skills are kindness and compassion. So much of this role is about understanding people, building trust, and seeing the person behind the situation. Being curious and reflective really matters too and being willing to ask: “how can we do this better?’’. A clear commitment to equity, inclusion and person-centred care underpins everything. And finally, a good sense of humour to help navigate the tough days.
Introducing our REACH-U prostate cancer buddy scheme
UCLH is helping to improve care for Black African and African Caribbean patients with prostate cancer by pairing them with a trained buddy who understands the cultural nuances that may act as barriers to treatment.
The REACH-U scheme was highlighted as an example of good practice in the government’s recently published National Cancer Plan for England, as Black African and African Caribbean men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as men from other ethnic backgrounds. Being able to discuss culturally sensitive issues with a non-clinical person has led to better engagement from patients and made a positive impact on treatment decisions. The pilot has been so successful since launching in 2024 that it is being rolled out in North Central London to offer support from the point of referral. Ade Balogun, a surgical assessment unit coordinator, is one of UCLH’s first trained buddies. He has supported more than 50 patients since the scheme was launched. Based at University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street, Ade’s role as a buddy means he can take time to address any concerns about treatments and side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary continence. He can direct men towards reliable information and specialist resources, allowing them to make informed decisions about their care. Ade said: “I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to help reduce the stigma around the testing and treatment of prostate cancer and to encourage men at higher risk to get tested early. Early detection is so important and saves lives.” This project is led by a multidisciplinary team at UCLH. It was launched and continues to be supported by funding from the UCLH Charity Cancer Fund, as well as the North Central London Cancer Alliance.
Thank you, Julia!
We’d like to say a massive thank you to Baroness Julia Neuberger who will stand down as chair of UCLH at the end of her term on 30 September 2026, after more than seven years in the role.
Throughout her career, Julia has made an extensive contribution to healthcare policy and management. Her tenure as chair of UCLH has seen the opening of two new hospitals. The Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in February 2020, and the Grafton Way Building was officially opened by King Charles III in March 2022, when he was the Prince of Wales. Under Julia’s leadership, UCLH has also implemented an electronic patient record system, navigated the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and received multiple top rankings in national patient and staff surveys. Julia said: “It has been an honour to serve as chair of such a fantastic and impactful organisation. To work alongside so many talented colleagues, who care deeply about our patients and improving healthcare for the wider population, has been inspirational. From small acts of everyday kindness to world firsts in clinical research, UCLH is a wonderful team to be part of and I am very sorry to be leaving. “The NHS is facing some tough challenges, but I am confident UCLH will continue to move boldly in delivering its mission and I look forward to following its continued success.” UCLH chief executive David Probert said: "I would like to thank Julia for her outstanding leadership during her time at UCLH. It has been a privilege to work alongside such an inspirational leader whose contribution to UCLH and the wider health sector over her career, has had a huge impact. “Julia has led with compassion and clarity of purpose over the past seven years for which we are hugely grateful. As well as being an inspiring colleague, Julia is also a trusted friend to many at UCLH and she will be sorely missed.” The UCLH Nominations, Appointments and Remuneration Committee (NARC), which is made up of governors, is responsible for appointing a new chair and this process is due to complete by the summer.
UCLH is a wonderful team to be part of and I am very sorry to be leaving.
Basketball legend makes a slam-dunk visit to young people at UCLH
National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Isiah Thomas visited young fans and staff at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, signing autographs and sharing selfies.
Thomas, who played for the Detroit Pistons basketball team from 1981–1994, was in the UK for The NBA London Game 2026 presented by Tissot at The O2. He visited patients on our Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit, where several NBA fans were delighted to spend time talking to him about his basketball career, as well as their own interests and experiences. Isiah was shown around the ward by youth support coordinator Andre Thomas who is also a huge basketball fan. Dr Sara Stoneham, clinical director for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “This was a fantastic visit for young people receiving treatment in the Cancer Centre. “Thank you to Isiah Thomas and the NBA for bringing so much positivity and cheer to our young patients and staff.”
UCLH Videos
Catch up on our latest video to learn about CAR T‑cell therapy at UCLH. Follow the patient journey step by step from collecting their immune cells, through treatment and recovery, to ongoing care.