The ENT team who completed the first patient list Maricel Natal Peter with North Mid staff on Pearl ward New treatment offers alternative to thyroid surgery 3 Patients are now benefitting from radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with benign thyroid nodules which can reduce symptoms without the need for conventional surgery. Benign thyroid nodules are non-cancerous lumps that develop within the thyroid gland. Up to 50% of adults develop them, and while many do not cause symptoms, larger nodules can lead to a visible swelling in the neck, discomfort, swallowing difficulties or pressure on the windpipe. Treatment may be recommended when symptoms become troublesome or affect a patient’s quality of life. The first patients underwent RFA at BH following the introduction of the new service by the trust’s ear, nose and throat (ENT) thyroid team. The ultrasound-guided procedure uses a thin needle probe to apply controlled heat to targeted areas of a nodule. Over the following months, the body’s natural immune system cleans away the treated tissue, with most patients seeing a significant reduction in the volume of the nodule. Conventional thyroid surgery usually requires a general anaesthetic, an incision in the neck and an inpatient hospital stay. For some patients, particularly those with other health conditions that increase the risks associated with general anaesthesia, this may not be the preferred or most appropriate option. RFA offers a less invasive alternative and typically preserves the surrounding thyroid tissue, reducing the likelihood of patients needing lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. RFA is generally performed under local anaesthetic, with the procedure taking between 30 and 90 minutes. Patients remain awake during the treatment, while the clinical team uses ultrasound to position the probe and protect the healthy thyroid and surrounding structures. After a period of observation, patients can usually return home the same day. Maricel Natal, a carer living in Colindale, was one of the first patients to undergo RFA in the trust. She first noticed swelling in her neck four years ago, which led her to visit her GP. “With the nodules, I often have palpitations and I sometimes have difficulty swallowing,” she said. “When this new procedure was explained to me, it felt like the right option. As a carer, I want to get back to work quickly. I arrived at 7.30am in the morning and went home before midday. The team were so amazing so I want to say a big thank you to them.” James Rudd, consultant ENT, head and neck and thyroid surgeon, said: “We’re delighted to have successfully introduced RFA for some patients with benign thyroid nodules. We expect around 20 to 30 patients each year could benefit from this treatment.” Although this is a new application within the trust’s thyroid service, radiofrequency technology is already used elsewhere at RFL, including in procedures targeting tumours in the liver and other parts of the abdomen. Introducing it for benign thyroid nodules has involved close collaboration between colleagues in ENT surgery, interventional radiology, endocrinology, nursing and supporting services. Hello and welcome to the September/October edition of our bi-monthly magazine for staff, members and governors. Peter Landstrom Group chief executive Care with compassion Act with integrity Champion inclusion Deliver excellence Key to abbreviations: Barnet Hospital: BH Chase Farm Hospital: CFH Royal Free Hospital: RFH Royal Free London: RFL North Middlesex University Hospital: North Mid As we head into autumn, I’m very aware of how busy the summer has been across our trust. I hope many of you managed to take a well-earned break. You should be incredibly proud of everything you have achieved for our patients. Thanks to your hard work, we are treating more patients than ever before in our emergency departments, while more patients are receiving faster cancer diagnosis and treatment across the RFL. These achievements have helped make us one of the top performing trusts in the country. We also know that, for you to do your best work, it’s vital you have the support you need to thrive. That’s why it’s so important that you take part in this year’s staff survey. the experts in your area, and every voice matters. Turn to page 4 to find out more and have your say. I also encourage you to read about the important work of our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians (see page 8) and how colleagues are using the service. Creating a culture where people feel safe to raise concerns, share ideas and speak openly benefits us all. When we take the time to listen to one another and learn from different experiences, we can make meaningful improvements for our staff, patients and communities. On that note, I recently visited North Mid, where I toured the new UTC, due to open towards the end of this year. I want to say a big thank you to the staff who have had to completely change the ways they are working while the building work is in its final stage. It was great to see and hear the enthusiasm about the difference it will make when it opens. I also met with colleagues in the pre-operative assessment unit and on Pearl ward, hearing first-hand about the fantastic work taking place across the hospital. Follow us on social media @royalfreelondonnhs @RoyalFreeNHS Royal Free london 2 We want to hear your views “ “ Now the survey has launched, it’s your opportunity to tell us about your experience at the trust and help shape our workplace for the future. Whatever your role and wherever you work, we want to hear your views on what’s going well and where we should focus our efforts. After all, you are
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