A service user’s powerful story and poem are helping raise awareness of sickle cell disease and the importance of psychological support, shared through the Thinking Together Forum, a space where patients and NHS staff work together to improve services.

We are delighted to announce that Rhiannon Haag, Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist, and Michelle Coleman, Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, have been shortlisted for the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2026 – Award for Excellence in Cancer Care for their pioneering project: One Voice: Coproducing a Laryngectomy Pathway in the Community.

This recognition places their work among the most innovative and impactful cancer care initiatives in the UK.

Maternal Mental Health Week, 6-10 May, is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the emotional and psychological wellbeing of women during pregnancy and the first year after birth. This year, our Perinatal Parent Infant Mental Health Service is proud to highlight the voices and lived experiences of the people we support.

The opening of a new community café at Old Goodmayes Hospital marked not only an expansion of on-site facilities but also gave staff the opportunity to take part in fundraising for the NELFT NHS Charity.

The new café, located on the ground floor of the new Trust head office, was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting led by colleagues from the established café at Sunflower’s Court. The launch was celebrated with balloons and pastries, as the site welcomed another space for staff to spend time together.

North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) can confirm that Colin Lynch will be stepping down from his role as Vice Chair at the end of June, following his appointment as Joint Chair of Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.

From 1 April 2026, NHS 111 option 2 replaced the previous 0800 995 1000 and 0300 Mental Health Direct lines.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) will take strike action from 07:00 on Tuesday 7 April until 07:00 on Monday 13 April 2026.

Our Chief Executive, Paul Calaminus, will be leaving NELFT in the coming months to take up the role of Chief Executive at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM).

On 19 February the Reserve Forces and Cadets’ Association for Greater London hosted an Employer Recognition Scheme Celebration event in the Samoa Suite at the HMS Wellington in London. In addition to the networking event, organisations were awarded their revalidated Gold or Silver ERS award.

Children and young people’s eating disorder services across Kent and Medway are celebrating after winning two awards at the recent Healthwatch Awards, recognising innovation, inclusion and meaningful patient involvement.

Staff, service users and carers are invited to join 5K Your Way – the Goodmayes Hospital Run Club, a friendly and inclusive way to get moving together.

The run club is open to everyone, whether you prefer to run, walk, or do a mix of both.

This week marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Community.

After speaking with former service users from our All Age Eating Disorders Service in Kent and Medway, one thing is clear: eating disorders do not discriminate, and no two experiences are the same.

We've been sharing some of the stories of our former service users, here we share Alice's moving journey.

This week marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Community.

After speaking with former service users from our All Age Eating Disorders Service in Kent and Medway, one thing is clear: eating disorders do not discriminate, and no two experiences are the same.

This year, Ramadan is expected to  begin on the evening of Tuesday 17 February 2026 and end on Wednesday 18 March 2026 , depending on the sighting of the moon. It’s important to keep healthy during this holy month and ensure you are observing Ramadan safely.