5 4 The installation of new state-of-the-art breast imaging equipment at CFH marks a major step forward in cancer detection and care for the local community. The new contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) technology, funded by the Royal Free Charity, uses a small intravenous injection of contrast dye prior to breast imaging, enabling areas of concern to be visualised with far greater clarity This enhanced imaging capability supports earlier cancer detection and improves diagnostic accuracy for clinical teams. In many cases, the new CESM pathway also removes the need for additional MRI examinations, which are more time-consuming and can be uncomfortable for patients who experience claustrophobia. As a result, average appointment times have been cut in half to approximately 45 minutes, improving both patient experience and service efficiency. While CESM technology is still relatively new within the UK, it has already been widely established across Europe. The new unit at CFH is one of the first in the country with an additional biopsy capability. Specialist staff have undertaken dedicated training to ensure they are fully equipped with the skills required to operate the system and accurately interpret the enhanced images. Adrian Trinidade, interim group imaging director, said: “This could ultimately mean that the patient’s diagnostic pathway is significantly shortened, allowing treatment to begin earlier and improve patient outcomes.” The imaging suite underwent a comprehensive upgrade to meet the safety requirements of the more advanced imaging system. The total investment in the refurbishment and equipment was approximately £300,000, helping to future-proof the service for years to come. This has been a collaborative effort “ “ Improving diagnostics equals quicker cancer treatment L-R: Christine, Ciara, Kleya and Gentiana Staff from the mammography team at CFH Staff from the North Mid diabetes team Patients are benefitting from more timely diabetes care in the community thanks to a co-ordinated approach led from North Mid. A service improvement and health inequalities project, led by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) working with GP practices, has reduced emergency department attendances related to type 2 diabetes by 30% within a year. Key to success has been upskilling diabetes specialist nurses (DSNs) to handle more complex cases. In addition, assessment templates have been improved to keep diabetes consultation focused on reviewing and initiating treatment. The work has also included strengthening the community referral form to make provision for vulnerable patients, so issues such as mental health, language barriers or mobility issues are flagged. This enables referrals to be prioritised, ensuring these patients are seen in clinic as soon as possible. Additional intervention includes a health inequality project which sees weekly MDT discussion of 10 patients with high glucose levels. Patients are identified through case finding by a DSN alongside a clinical pharmacist, GP or practice nurse in primary care. The project focuses on the most deprived areas of the borough where health inequalities are higher. By maintaining lower glucose levels, people with diabetes can reduce the risk of long-term complications, such as heart, eye and kidney disease. Each session runs for two hours or more and the care of patients is closely analysed. Nneka Agbasi, clinical nurse lead for the Enfield community diabetes service, explained: “Seeing this huge reduction in emergency ED attendance for this group of patients demonstrates how effective our interventions have been. The service improvement will ensure this reduction is maintained.” Improved communications between ED and Same Day Emergency Care Community focus for Type 2 diabetes patients (SDEC) is helping to avoid readmissions. Patients who are admitted are given a plan so once discharged their care can be smoothly transitioned to the community. Swapna Mutharath, lead nurse for diabetes and endocrinology at North Mid, added: “This has been a collaborative effort between the community team and primary care, SDEC and ED.” Dr Chidambaram Nethaji, diabetes and endocrinology lead at North Mid, said: “We look at each patient individually to help them avoid coming to hospital. Any measure we can take to reduce the number of patients presenting at ED or being referred to SDEC is welcome.” Dr Hillary Tindall, diabetes consultant and health inequalities consultant lead, said: “This early interventional approach sits very well within the government’s 10-year-plan and the trust’s own population health focus. We have shown we can improve people’s ability to manage their diabetes at home.” Dr Tindall added: “We can do still more work to champion this neighbourhood approach, working across all sectors to move care closer to home.” When Kleya and Ciara met in the first year of secondary school they quickly became close. It was only later that they discovered something extraordinary: both had been treated for leukaemia at BH at the same time, when they were just three years old. “I’d never met anyone who had had leukaemia when they were younger,” said Kleya, 14. “It was cool to have someone I could relate to.” “It’s really nice to have someone who understands it,” added Ciara, 14. For both families, the memories of that time are shaped not only by the challenges they faced, but by the care and compassion they received. They recalled the difference NHS staff made, as well as the extra charity-funded touches that helped lighten difficult days – from visits by therapy dogs to celebrations marking the end of treatment. Now fully recovered, Kleya and Ciara remain great friends. Childhood cancer survivors giving back to NHS staff Their shared experience is the reason both families are now taking part in Walk for Wards 2026, a fundraising event organised by the Royal Free Charity bringing together patients, families and NHS staff to raise funds for services across the RFL. “We’re doing Walk for Wards to give something back because the doctors, nurses and charity have been amazing – they don’t just do their jobs, they go far beyond that,” said Gentiana, Kleya’s mum. Christine, Ciara’s mum, added: “I don’t know how I would have got through it without them.” Walk for Wards will take place on 19 September in Trent Park, Enfield. Sign up at qrco.de/walkforwards.
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