University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

17/06/2026

Today we’re proud to celebrate National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day, recognising the incredible teams across UHS who keep our hospitals running every single day 🏥

From the staff who manage and maintain our facilities to those working behind the scenes, your contribution is vital. Our hospitals simply couldn’t function without you.

Following the fire in the west wing of Southampton General Hospital in February, your support and dedication during recovery efforts show just how essential you are by helping services continue safely and ensuring patients receive the care they need 💙

🎥 In this video David Jones, director of estates, facilities and capital development at UHS, shares some words on the important work of our estates and facilities teams and the impact they have across the Trust.

A huge thank you to everyone across estates and facilities who makes such a difference to patients, visitors and colleagues 🙏

16/06/2026

Men with urethral stricture disease can now be seen, treated and recover more quickly thanks to a new approach by UHS that no longer requires general anaesthetic in an operating theatre.

Until recently, patients with the condition, where scar tissue narrows the tube used to pass urine, have had to spend several hours in hospital and be put to sleep while surgeons performed the Optilume procedure, using a balloon to widen the urinary tract.

Now they are being offered a quick, convenient and less invasive option using local anaesthetic which can see them in and out of hospital in just one hour and allows them to eat and drink on the day as normal.

Katherine Guest, senior fellow in andrology at UHS, said: “We are really pleased to be the first NHS hospital in the region to deliver this new approach to treatment for our patients. Using local anaesthetic means they can undergo the procedure in a more relaxed and less intimidating setting, while also benefiting from shorter recovery times and quicker discharge home.”

This development comes as we mark Men’s Health Week, highlighting the importance of helping men understand their health risks and encouraging them to take action early.

🔗 Read more: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/whats-new/press-releases/university-hospital-southampton-first-in-the-region-to-offer-new-less-invasive-treatment-for-men-with-urinary-condition

15/06/2026

Well done to Dr Sofia Michopoulou, Dr Caroline Anderson and Dr Ahilanandan Dushianthan, who have all received a NIHR Research Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award 👏

Congratulations to three future research leaders at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust 👏

Dr Sofia Michopoulou, Dr Caroline Anderson and Dr Ahilanandan Dushianthan have each received an National Institute for Health and Care Research Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award 👇

The awards will now fund the next stage of their careers as research leaders.

Sofia, Caroline and Ahilanandan will continue making new advances for brain imaging in dementia, boosting the health of children and young people through better nutrition, and improving outcomes for patients with severe pneumonia.
https://research.uhs.nhs.uk/news/triple-success-for-southamptons-future-research-leaders

15/06/2026

Update on Resident Doctor Industrial Action

The resident doctor strike action that had been planned for this week has now been called off.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has suspended the industrial action following a last-minute offer from the Government, which is now being put to members in a referendum.

Significant planning had been underway at University Hospital Southampton to ensure patient safety during the anticipated strike. Unfortunately, this meant that a number of outpatient appointments and planned operations were cancelled in advance.

We are now working hard to restore services and maximise activity wherever possible this week. Patients who can be offered an appointment will be contacted directly.

If you have an appointment scheduled this week and have not been notified of a cancellation, please attend as planned.

12/06/2026

Behind every confident newly qualified professional…
is someone who chose to support them.

We’ve officially kicked off our latest preceptor training at UHS, bringing together a fantastic mix of nurses and allied health professionals.

Preceptors play a really important role here. They’re the people who support newly qualified staff as they begin their careers, helping them settle in, build confidence and feel part of the team.

Some of those taking part have experienced our preceptorship programme themselves, and are now using that experience to support others beginning their journey.

It’s all about teamwork, development and making sure no one feels like they’re on their own.

We’re proud to see so many of our staff stepping into this role 👏

12/06/2026

The British Medical Association has announced that resident doctors will take strike action from 7am on Monday 15 June 2026, ending at 7am on Friday 19 June 2026.

You will be contacted if your appointment needs to be changed. Otherwise, please attend your appointment as planned.

11/06/2026

This week is Carers Week and we recognise the vital contribution of unpaid carers in our community 💙

In Southampton alone there are more than 18,000 people providing care for loved ones, a role that is invaluable, but not always easy.

We’re proud to support carers while their loved ones are in hospital, because caring doesn’t stop at the bedside. We’re here not only for our patients, but for those who care for them too.

Here are some of the ways we’re supporting carers:

🍽️ Food vouchers for our Feast Restaurant, kindly funded by Southampton Hospitals Charity UK, so carers can take a moment to eat and recharge.

🤝 Monthly drop-in sessions in our Patient and Family Support Hub, working alongside Carers Together, Unpaid Carers Support Southampton and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Hampshire. This includes emotional support, financial guidance and connecting to specialist support.

🚿 A new carers’ shower and dressing facilities in the hub offers a dedicated space to pause, refresh and take a break during what can often be an incredibly challenging time.

🔗 Find out more about the support available to carers on our website: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/for-patients/patients-with-additional-needs-and-carers/carers-support-service

11/06/2026

👋Meet Khaled, a Clinical Research Fellow at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

Through his research, he’s working to improve care for patients with infectious diseases and respiratory conditions 💙

Watch his 6⃣0⃣ second interview to find out what he does and why it’s important.

10/06/2026

A father who lost his young son in a road accident — and suffered life-changing injuries himself — has taken on a sponsored rowing challenge to raise money for Southampton Hospitals Charity UK.

In June 2023 Henry Cobbe was involved in a serious road traffic collision. He was airlifted to UHS for emergency treatment. Henry’s youngest son tragically died at the scene.

To mark the third anniversary of the accident, Henry undertook a 10,000 metre rowing machine challenge in the main entrance of Southampton General Hospital, raising funds for Southampton Hospitals Charity. In an incredible achievement, he completed the challenge in 45 minutes and 59 seconds, beating his previous post-surgery record and demonstrating just how far he has come in his recovery journey.

Henry said: “I want to thank everyone at UHS who cared for me, and to support the vital work they continue to do for so many others. Through the charity I can help give something back. I am very grateful to everyone who has so kindly donated to support this event.”

🔗 Read more: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/whats-new/news/former-patient-completes-rowing-fundraising-challenge-after-surviving-serious-accident-1

08/06/2026

Great to hear BBC Radio Solent's Katie Martin speaking with Dr Alex King, consultant oncology radiologist, and patient Michael Chilton about an exciting milestone for our team.

UHS recently carried out its 1,000th kidney cancer cryoablation procedure, a pioneering, minimally invasive treatment that can treat tumours without the need for major surgery.

In the interview Dr King explains how this innovative technique is transforming cancer care, while Michael shares his experience and the difference it has made to his recovery.

🎧Listen to the full interview from 2:08:45 here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002x4g8