University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

19/06/2026

Say hello to our volunteer gardeners at St Richard's Hospital 🌼👋

They have been working on a very special project, helping to preserve wildflower meadow areas around the hospital. This important work supports local biodiversity by protecting bee populations, providing habitats for native plants, and creating spaces for other wildlife to thrive. Our volunteer gardeners Heather, Stella, Caroline, Elizabeth, Lynda and Jo have done an incredible job caring for these areas, keeping them healthy and flourishing throughout the year.

Some of our gardening volunteers began their careers at the hospital as nurses, healthcare assistants, and other members of staff. One volunteer said: "I trained here when I was 18, worked here as a nurse, and had my children here." Being able to return to a place that has been part of so many of life's milestones and continue making a difference in retirement is something truly special.

Our volunteers are asking for your help. If you see a wildflower area sign, please treat these spaces with the utmost respect so that they can continue to grow and support local wildlife. The areas will be maintained throughout the summer. A special thank you to Super Signs in Chichester for producing the signs and supporting this project. 💚🌱

To find out more about volunteering at your local hospital, visit our website.

19/06/2026

Today, UHSussex is joining organisations across the UK in supporting the campaign - a national initiative celebrating the people who make health and care research possible.

We're saying a huge thank you to every patient, volunteer and member of the public who has taken part in research at UHSussex, and to every member of staff involved in delivering clinical research at UHSussex.

Whether you've joined a clinical trial, shared your experiences, completed a questionnaire or helped shape a study, your contribution matters.

Research is helping us discover better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases, now and in the future. ❤️

You are helping improve care for thousands of people. Thank you.

18/06/2026

During Volunteers' Week, volunteers from across our organisation were invited to a thank you lunch and long service awards ceremony.

These lunches were such a special event. They not only give us an opportunity to thank our incredible volunteers for the amazing work they do every day, but also a chance to reflect and hear their inspiring stories about why they volunteer.

At the ceremony, Alan Broadhurst, a volunteer at St Richard's Hospital, along with Colin Jenner and Graham Maker, received a long service award for... drum roll please 🥁🥁 a staggering 50 years of volunteering. Alan said: "I have volunteered with Chichester Hospital Radio since 1975 when my then fiancée was terminally ill in hospital, and I continue in her memory. We were very grateful for the support we received from the Friends of the Hospital, and I resolved to give something back."

Volunteers were awarded long service awards for completing 5 years, all the way to 50 years. We are truly touched that members of our community have dedicated so much time and commitment to supporting their local hospitals. 💙

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our website for more information.

Thank you to My University Hospitals Sussex for funding the lunches and helping us celebrate our volunteers.

18/06/2026

Yesterday, we marked Facilities and Estates Day, recognising the incredible colleagues who help keep our hospitals and services running every day. Across the Trust, the day was marked with activities and events, including a well-deserved chance to enjoy tea, cake and raffle prizes! These moments gave us the opportunity to come together and say a heartfelt thank you to colleagues who are fundamental to everything we do.

From maintaining our buildings and supporting safe environments, to ensuring patients, visitors and staff feel welcomed and cared for, their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt everywhere. 💙

Terece Walters, hospital nurse director, said: “Many of my clinical colleagues regularly speak about the outstanding contribution these staff members make every day. It’s important we take the time to thank them, and the whole team for their dedication, and to shine a light on those who exemplify the values and commitment of our services.”

A huge thank you to all our Facilities and Estates colleagues across UHSussex for everything you do to support patient care every single day. And a shout out to Friends of Brighton and Hove who helped us celebrate our colleagues yesterday. 💙

16/06/2026

Has David brought sunshine to your day? 🌞

Our volunteers dedicate their time to help care for patients and support colleagues across our hospitals. People like David deserve to be recognised! You can nominate David, or any volunteer, in our STAR Awards ⭐

Nominate before Sunday 21 June, when nominations close! 👇

www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/stars

15/06/2026

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

12/06/2026

We were proud to see vibrant celebrations taking place across our hospitals in honour of Philippines Independence Day - a joyous tribute to Filipino culture, heritage and community. 🇵🇭

From traditional Filipino attire and music to dances and performances, our colleagues brought the spirit of the Philippines to life. And let’s not forget the incredible Filipino cuisine served.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make these celebrations so special and to our dedicated charity My University Hospitals Sussex for your support.

25 years ago, we welcomed the first cohort of Filipino nurses who joined our hospitals. A quarter of a century later, Filipino colleagues from across our services are shaping the high-quality, compassionate care we provide today.

We are proud to celebrate alongside you – and even prouder to call you our colleagues. 💙

11/06/2026

⚠️Industrial action by resident doctors begins this Monday from 7am to 7am Friday 19 June.

Emergency care will be prioritised, and people are reminded that 999 and A&E are still the right service when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

However, for anything that isn’t a life-threatening illness or injury, please use alternative NHS services to get the right care and help reduce pressure on A&E. This includes walk-in centres, minor injuries units, or urgent treatment centres.

These services can help with issues such as sprains, suspected broken bones, cuts, bruises, and other minor injuries, and many are open until the evening.

Find your nearest service here 👉 https://www.surreysussex.icb.nhs.uk/minor-injuries-and-urgent-treatment-centres

📅Some planned appointments and clinics may be affected, but please continue to attend your appointment unless we contact you directly.

Thank you for helping our emergency teams by choosing the right service for your care. 💙

Industrial action by resident doctors is due to take place from 7am Monday 15 June to 7am Friday 19 June.

NHS organisations across Surrey and Sussex have been preparing for the industrial action and are working closely together to minimise disruption and ensure patients continue to receive the care they need.

Please help reduce pressure on NHS services by considering all of the options available to you if you need help. NHS 111 is the best place to start if you're not sure.

10/06/2026

"Blood donation is one of the simplest ways people can make a difference. My son is alive today because complete strangers chose to donate. Every blood donor has the power to change someone's story, and my family is living proof of that."

For Kirsten King, senior research nurse in haematology at Worthing Hospital, National Blood Week is both a professional and deeply personal reminder of the importance of blood donation.

When her son Peter was just three years old, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and urgently needed blood transfusions.

Over the next six months, Peter underwent intensive chemotherapy, including at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital. During his treatment he received numerous blood transfusions and blood products.

Kirsten said: "Peter relied on blood products throughout his treatment. You could always tell when he needed a transfusion. He would become pale, tired and withdrawn. Afterwards, it was like somebody had switched the lights back on. The difference was remarkable.”

Today, Peter is a healthy 15-year-old who loves football, sport and spending time with friends.

Inspired by his care, Kirsten retrained as a nurse and now supports patients with blood cancers and disorders through research.

Her family’s experience didn’t stop there — her father also relied on transfusions during his cancer treatment. He sadly died, but Kirsten says those experiences helped her understand that blood donation is about far more than emergency care.

"I have been donating blood since I was 18 years old but it wasn’t until Peter was poorly that I realised blood isn’t just needed after accidents or during surgery, for many cancer patients blood transfusions are an essential part of treatment and supportive care.”

Only around 4% of eligible people give blood — but every donation can save or transform lives including those undergoing surgery, receiving emergency treatment or living with long-term health conditions.

Your donation has the potential to change lives, just like Kirsten's and her family. ❤️

08/06/2026

Sussex patients are the first in the UK to receive an innovative new heart valve implant as part of an international research trial. 💙

One of the first patients treated was chef Stephen Beadle, 51, from Hove. Stephen has lived with heart disease for around 13 years and has had a pacemaker since the age of 40. When his tricuspid valve disease became more severe, doctors recommended the procedure through the clinical trial because other treatment options were not suitable.

Stephen said: “The recovery was really quick. I was back at work about a week later, which I honestly didn’t expect. The clinicians were excellent throughout, and I felt completely looked after from start to finish.”

The minimally invasive procedure offers new hope for people living with severe heart disease.

Find out more on BBC South East News this evening. 🎥