South London News & Media

South London's SEL Vanguard Clinical Hub is enhancing neurodiverse girls mental health support.

Addressing Gaps in Neurodiverse Girls' Mental Health

The South East London (SEL) Vanguard Clinical Hub, part of National and Specialist CAMHS, operates from the Pears Maudsley Centre in Denmark Hill. This multi-disciplinary team collaborates with local authorities and community organisations.

The team provides mental health support for children and young people up to age 21. This includes those at risk of involvement in violence or crime.

Partnership Drives Targeted Support for Neurodiverse Girls

In partnership with Juvenis and Project Yana, black-led community organisations, the SEL Vanguard Team identified a significant overrepresentation of neurodiverse girls and young women accessing support. This observation was presented at the European Conference for Forensic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology.

Dr Rhiannon Lewis, Consultant Clinical Psychologist in the SEL Vanguard Team, stated: "In the past, a lot of our focus has been on how autism and ADHD present in boys, and most people will acknowledge that there has been a lack of understanding in how this can present in girls."

Building Trust and Tailored Care Pathways

Many neurodiverse girls face misunderstandings from services, hindering access to traditional mental health support. This is particularly acute for young women from global majority communities.

The SEL Vanguard Team, Juvenis, and Project Yana prioritise meeting young people and their families in familiar settings. This approach focuses on building relationships and trust before engaging in more formal clinical pathways.

Jenni Steele, Founder of Project Yana, commented: "After ten years of working with girls at high risk of harm, I’ve learned that healthy relationships, education, personal development and early intervention can change the trajectory of a young person’s life."

A young person supported by the team shared: "Most people that I am around, when I say certain things or speak my mind, I look at them and I think that they are judging me. But when I speak to Rhiannon, I can look at her, and she is not giving that energy. She is always down to earth."

Future Focus on Awareness and Accessibility

Dr Lewis emphasised the need for increased awareness among professionals. "Young girls often get missed on multiple levels, so anything we can do to increase awareness among schools, social workers and mental health professionals about how neurodiversity might present differently in different groups is incredibly valuable," she said.

The SEL Vanguard Team continues to adapt support to meet the specific needs of young people. This ensures those historically overlooked can access necessary care and understanding.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Document: Understanding and supporting mental health challenges in neurodiverse girls | Our blog

Source Link: https://slam.nhs.uk/blog/understanding-and-supporting-mental-health-challenges-in-neurodiverse-girls-5994

Sickle cell unit HSJ Awards recognition

The Acute Sickle Cell Unit (ASCU) and its clinical lead, Michael Barns, have been nominated for two accolades at the HSJ Awards. The nominations acknowledge the unit's work and Mr Barns' leadership in improving care for patients with sickle cell disease.

The ASCU is one of five pilot hyper acute sickle cell units in England. It received funding through an NHS England transformation programme aimed at addressing care failings nationally.

Clinical leadership and race equality highlighted

Michael Barns, Lead advanced clinical practitioner for haematology and Consultant Paramedic, is shortlisted for Clinical Leader of the Year. The ASCU is nominated for the NHS Race Equality Award. These recognitions follow significant improvements in managing sickle cell crises for the Trust's patient population.

Itzi Atucha, Head of Nursing for Cancer Services, stated: "I am extremely grateful for the support and leadership provided by ACS and the Medicine Division, Corporate Nursing, and particularly Juan Carrasco, Tullie, Dan, Justine, and Mike. Their commitment and vision have been instrumental in achieving such outstanding performance."

Michael Barns commented on his nomination: "This nomination is a genuine honour, and one I want to share with everyone who has worked alongside me on the Acute Sickle Cell Unit (ASCU) project. Leadership in the NHS is about creating the conditions for good people to do their best work."

Regarding the ASCU's nomination for the NHS Race Equality Award, Mr Barns added: "Health inequalities are one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS, and this nomination is recognition that focused, patient-centred services like the Acute Sickle Cell Unit (ASCU) can make a tangible difference to patients’ lives."

The Trust has invested in workforce development, introducing Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) within the unit. Two side rooms have also been established on Laurel Ward to support patient care.

The ASCU was the first pilot site to achieve all key performance indicators and has maintained this consistency since its launch in January 2025.

Big Picture Context:

NHS England data indicates that sickle cell disease affects approximately 15,000 people in England. The condition disproportionately impacts individuals of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage, highlighting the importance of race equality initiatives within healthcare services.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from NHS SE London.

Document: Michael Barns and ASCU shortlisted for HSJ Awards | News

Source Link: https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/latest-news/hsj-awards-announcement-aug-2026-3610

New rehabilitation service opens in Bromley

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), in partnership with Everyturn Mental Health, has launched Woodland House. This new 14-bed enhanced community rehabilitation service is located in Bromley.

Woodland House aims to assist individuals with complex mental health needs. It provides a crucial step-down option for those ready to leave inpatient hospital care.

The service offers ongoing clinical support in a nurse-led setting with 24-hour care. This helps prevent delays in hospital discharge.

Supporting recovery and independence

Residents will receive personalised support from a specialist team. The focus is on building independence and developing practical life skills.

The service is registered with the Care Quality Commission. It operates in line with national NHS rehabilitation standards.

Woodland House is designed to support residents for up to 18 months. This period allows for the development of skills and confidence for community living.

Jonathan Northfield, Service Director for Croydon at SLaM, stated: "Woodland House represents an important addition to the mental health rehabilitation pathway across south London and will be a positive step towards independence for those service users who need this extra support."

Adam Crampsie, Chief Executive of Everyturn Mental Health, commented: "Every person is different, so our specialised team will work with each person to build trust, practical skills and independence."

Big Picture Context

The opening of Woodland House addresses a critical need within the NHS. In England, there are approximately 1.1 million people experiencing severe mental illness. Services like Woodland House are vital for facilitating timely discharge from inpatient settings, thereby optimising bed capacity.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Document: Trust opens new residential rehab service for people leaving hospital | Our blog

Source Link: https://slam.nhs.uk/blog/trust-opens-new-residential-rehabilitation-service-to-support-people-leaving-hospital-5985

Lishman unit moves to New Douglas Bennett House

On Tuesday 25 August, the Lishman unit will relocate to New Douglas Bennett House (NDBH) from Bethlem Royal Hospital. This move represents the fourth ward to transition into NDBH.

The team is preparing for this new chapter and will support service users through the relocation process. The move follows a smooth and efficient transition for previous wards.

Enhanced Therapeutic Environment

The £60m purpose-built therapeutic space is expected to better support high-quality care and recovery. It is also anticipated to improve staff wellbeing.

Suzanne Roche, Deputy Director, Psychological Medicine and Older Adults, stated: "We are delighted to be making a long-awaited move back to the Maudsley site and into this new building. We are excited to be on the same site as our colleagues in the outpatient team and our academic colleagues in King’s Health Partners who work closely with us."

She added: "As a result, we hope to improve our patients’ experience of the whole pathway. We would like to acknowledge all members of the Lishman team as they have remained committed to providing care during the time it took to be able to move the service. We cannot provide this specialist service without our staff."

The wider programme of scheduled moves into NDBH and the Bethlem remains on track for September.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Document: Lishman unit next to move to New Douglas Bennett House | Our blog

Source Link: https://slam.nhs.uk/blog/lishman-unit-next-to-move-to-new-douglas-bennett-house-5982

New NHS Care Certificate Programme Launched in Lewisham

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has successfully piloted a new initiative, the NHS Care Certificate Programme. This programme aims to support local residents interested in beginning a career in healthcare.

A celebration presentation was held at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for the trainees. They received their certificates and shared their experiences.

The initiative has equipped participants with essential skills and confidence for Healthcare Support Worker roles. It was designed for residents in the Lewisham and Greenwich boroughs.

Positive Recruitment Outcomes and Future Expansion

The pilot programme achieved a positive recruitment outcome. Four of the six trainees successfully completed the programme and were offered Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker roles at the Trust. These new recruits will commence their roles from August.

The programme received funding from the Integrated Care Board (ICB). Isimeme Egbuniwe, Head of Recruitment, and Rory Van Niekerk, Lead Nurse Post Registration, Clinical Education, led the pilot. Irene Adindu, Clinical Educator for Healthcare Support Workers, also played a key role.

Following the pilot's success, the programme has secured funding for a second cohort. This new group will begin in August.

Jules Partridge, Associate Chief Nurse for Workforce and Education, stated: "We are delighted to welcome our new Healthcare Support Workers to TeamLGT. Healthcare Assistants are the eyes and ears for our patients, and the compassionate care they provide shapes every patient journey."

One trainee commented: "The programme helped me change my career and move forward." Another shared: "It helped me understand patients better and not be so defensive."

Big Picture Context:

In the UK, the NHS faces ongoing workforce challenges. Initiatives like the Care Certificate programme are crucial for developing a skilled healthcare workforce. Nationally, the NHS aims to recruit and retain staff through various training and development pathways. The demand for healthcare support workers remains high across the country.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from NHS SE London.

Document: Care Certificate programme opens doors to healthcare careers | News

Source Link: https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/latest-news/care-certificate-programme-opens-doors-to-healthcare-careers-3603

VCSE Inreach Project Enhances Inpatient Care

Over 40 individuals from the Trust and its Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) partners convened to discuss the VCSE Inreach Project. This initiative aims to positively impact ward environments and build meaningful connections for service users.

Activities are now active across 25 acute inpatient wards during evenings and weekends. The project introduces structured activities to combat boredom and distress.

Since its inception, service users have participated in ward activities over 540 times. An estimated 2,500 activities are planned for the next 12 months.

Hannah Tendler, Community Partnership Officer, stated: "This session was more than just connecting with others in the project, it was about learning from the early days to support any issues straight away." She added, "We want spaces like these to ensure we are doing the best we can with a project that we know is proven to improve the experiences of patients on our wards."

Positive Feedback and Service User Engagement

Staff reported highly positive feedback from wards and strong service user engagement. One staff member noted: "The staff were particularly pleased that one of the service users took part in the session because they were aware of his low mood and the distress he had been experiencing throughout the day."

Service users have reported feeling "more relaxed" and "excited" during the initial months of the project. One participant described the experience as "therapy to me."

Activities are selected through extensive consultation with service users and staff. These often include music, art, exercise, and wellbeing sessions.

Monica, a proactive project member, commented: "We all got to make the decisions together. It was a true case of co-production." One service user began volunteering to support activity delivery within a week of discharge due to their positive connection with the team.

Key Changes demonstrated how an open mic night could be implemented on wards. Participants' responses were used to create an AI-powered song reflecting their emotions.

Maroon Fitness founder, Aaron Asomdew, shared his work began during the pandemic with the Ladywell Unit. He collaborated with Sophia Awan, Lambeth Head Occupational Therapist, on exercise classes.

Hannah Tendler highlighted the project's evolution: "We’re keen to hear feedback not only about what is working well, but what can be improved." She continued, "Having an activity our inpatients can continue with beyond their time with us helps the transition back into community living."

The project, co-funded by Maudsley Charity and NHS England, aims to enhance ward environments, reduce distress, and improve outcomes. It supports long-term recovery by connecting service users with community groups for post-discharge engagement.

Nationally, the NHS is investing in community-based mental health services to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital admissions. In London, there is a growing emphasis on integrating VCSE organisations into care pathways to provide holistic support. Data from NHS England shows a significant increase in the number of people accessing mental health services, underscoring the need for innovative projects like this.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Document: Connection and collaboration: VCSE Inreach Project partners and staff come together to improve inpatient care | Our blog

Source Link: https://slam.nhs.uk/blog/connection-and-collaboration-vcse-inreach-project-partners-and-staff-come-together-to-improve-inpatient-care-5961

New Home for Florence and Nelson Wards

Florence and Nelson wards have now moved into their new facilities at New Douglas Bennett House (NDBH). Service users and staff are settling into their updated spaces on the third floor.

The relocation process was described as quick and smooth. This move represents an important milestone for the Trust's £186 million Modernisation Programme.

Transforming Clinical Care and Environment

New Douglas Bennett House is a purpose-built facility designed to transform services. It aims to support high-quality clinical care, recovery, and a positive working environment.

Staff have reported enjoying the bright and airy atmosphere of the modern wards. Service users have also provided positive feedback, expressing excitement about the new, spacious feel.

The coming days and weeks will allow staff and service users to fully familiarise themselves with the new environment. Work continues on the wider programme of scheduled moves from Lambeth to NDBH and Bethlem Royal Hospital. These moves remain on track for late August and September.

The £186 million modernisation programme by South London and Maudsley NHS Trust is part of a broader national effort to upgrade mental health facilities. In 2023, NHS England announced plans to invest £4.2 billion in mental health services by 2024-25, aiming to improve infrastructure and patient care across the country.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Document: Florence and Nelson wards have moved into their new home | Our blog

Source Link: https://slam.nhs.uk/blog/florence-and-nelson-wards-have-moved-into-their-new-home-5962

World Suicide Prevention Day Conference 2026

On Wednesday 10 September, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust will host its 8th annual conference and service of remembrance for World Suicide Prevention Day. The event aims to reduce stigma and raise awareness surrounding suicide. It is organised by partners including South East London Mind and Mind in Bexley.

The conference will highlight crucial work in suicide prevention. It will also feature contributions from individuals with lived experience of losing a loved one to suicide. Chaplains from the Trust will lead a non-denominational service of remembrance.

This event will be conducted online and is accessible to anyone interested in attending. Registration is available through Eventbrite.

Suicide Bereavement Service Focus

The Suicide Bereavement Service operates in alignment with the NHS Long Term Plan and England's Suicide Prevention Strategy. Its objective is to ensure timely, effective, and compassionate support for all individuals bereaved by suicide. Evidence indicates that those bereaved by suicide face a higher risk of dying by suicide themselves.

This service focuses on "postvention," aiming to provide preventative measures against future crises for those at increased risk. It serves as a community resource offering open access to people of all ages bereaved by suicide across Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark. In its initial five years, the service has supported over 700 individuals.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, 6,190 suicides were registered across England and Wales in 2024 (a rate of 11.4 per 100,000 people). Local support services, such as those provided by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, remain critical in delivering urgent mental health interventions and protecting vulnerable populations across the capital.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or feeling overwhelmed, help is available. You can contact the Samaritans 24/7 for free, confidential support on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org. In a life-threatening emergency, always dial 999 or visit your nearest A&E department.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Document: World Suicide Prevention Day Conference 2026: What to expect, how to attend and more | Our blog

Source Link: https://slam.nhs.uk/blog/world-suicide-prevention-day-conference-2026-what-to-expect-how-to-attend-and-more-5959

Behind the Scenes at Guy's Clinical Research Facility

A new BBC Radio 4 documentary, "Floor 15," is set to broadcast, providing an in-depth look at experimental cancer medicine trials at Guy's Hospital. The programme offers unprecedented access to the NIHR Clinical Research Facility’s Phase 1 Unit. This unit is where patients participate in clinical trials of new therapies, including those that have never been tested on humans before.

The one-off programme focuses on the stories of four patients with advanced cancer. It also highlights the staff caring for them and the innovative new therapies being developed. Recorded over the past year, the documentary captures the experiences of patients with limited remaining treatment options.

Professor James Spicer, a consultant in medical oncology at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at King’s College London, leads the unit. He stated, "These trials are at the cutting edge of clinical research and none of the progress being made would be possible without courageous patients who agree to take part." Professor Spicer added, "As well as hoping to live longer, many tell us they want to help others in the future, and I am in awe of them."

Demystifying Clinical Trials

The documentary is narrated by the BBC's Medical Editor Fergus Walsh. It aims to explain the groundbreaking science that could offer patients a chance of living longer with their disease. Halina Kierkuc, Producer at Ride Productions, commented, "It has been a privilege to meet and share the stories of the patients we feature and the clinical teams who treat them."

"We hope this programme will help people understand what clinical trials involve – the challenges and the uncertainty of the outcomes," Kierkuc continued. "We celebrate Floor 15’s successes in developing new treatments for cancer but also explore the realities of taking part in an early phase trial."

The NIHR Guy’s and St Thomas’ Clinical Research Facility operates five research units across the hospital sites. These facilities are staffed by teams with extensive clinical trials expertise. They specialise in delivering early phase, experimental, and high-risk studies. The Trust is a leading centre for research into advanced therapies, including cell and gene therapies.

In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) supports around 120,000 participants in clinical research annually. This figure underscores the significant scale of clinical trial participation across the nation.

"Floor 15" will be broadcast at 8pm on Tuesday 28 July and repeated at 11am on Wednesday 29 July. It will also be available on BBC Sounds.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust.

Document: New BBC documentary offers rare insight into clinical trials at Guy’s

Source Link: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/news/new-bbc-documentary-offers-rare-insight-clinical-trials-guys

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust seals new energy deal

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has entered into a strategic energy partnership with Meridiam. This collaboration aims to modernise the Trust’s energy infrastructure.

The partnership addresses the critical need to upgrade ageing systems, manage rising energy costs, and reduce carbon emissions. It is the first of its kind for the Trust.

Meridiam will design, finance, and deliver upgrades to energy systems. They will also help identify and develop projects to improve energy supply reliability.

This initiative will lower energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions across the NHS estate. The partnership requires no upfront investment from the NHS.

This allows the Trust to preserve vital resources for patient care. Meridiam's delivery partner, Dalkia UK’s Energy Services arm, will be involved.

St Thomas' Hospital to receive new low-carbon heating system

The first project under the partnership will deliver a new, more efficient low-carbon heating and energy system at St Thomas' Hospital. This will replace outdated infrastructure.

Under the agreement, Meridiam will take over energy generation assets. The Trust will then buy energy from them at an agreed cost.

This supports financial sustainability by mitigating future energy price shocks. It also reduces avoidable maintenance and repair spending.

Andrew Asbury, executive director of estates, facilities and capital development at Guy’s and St Thomas’, stated: “Upgrading our energy infrastructure significantly enhances our resilience and ability to deliver critical healthcare services, reducing the likelihood of unplanned outages that impact patient care.”

He added: “By not allocating the Trust's capital to this project and leveraging private sector investment, our funds can be prioritised for capital expenditure in clinical services.”

Thierry Déau, founder and chief executive officer of Meridiam, said: “We are proud to support Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in delivering concrete and innovative healthcare infrastructure projects.”

Delphine Gilbert, managing director at Dalkia Energy Services, commented: “This partnership shows how major NHS estates can decarbonise critical infrastructure while protecting capital for patient care.”

Future projects will include improving building energy efficiency and modernising energy networks. Replacing fossil-fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives is also planned.

The partnership aims to establish a scalable and replicable model for other public bodies in south east London. This will support their infrastructure transformation and decarbonisation programmes.

In the UK, the NHS estate accounts for a significant portion of public sector carbon emissions. Efforts to decarbonise hospital infrastructure are crucial for meeting national climate targets. For example, the NHS has committed to reaching net zero by 2040 for emissions it directly controls and by 2045 for all emissions. This partnership aligns with broader national and London-wide strategies for sustainable healthcare facilities.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION:

This report is based on official clinical data from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust.

Document: Guy’s and St Thomas’ announce new energy partnership

Source Link: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/news/guys-and-st-thomas-announce-new-energy-partnership-0

Addressing Gaps in Neurodiverse Girls' Mental Health

Partnership Drives Targeted Support for Neurodiverse Girls

Building Trust and Tailored Care Pathways

Future Focus on Awareness and Accessibility

Related Links

Sickle cell unit HSJ Awards recognition

Clinical leadership and race equality highlighted

Related Links

New rehabilitation service opens in Bromley

Supporting recovery and independence

Big Picture Context

Related Links

Lishman unit moves to New Douglas Bennett House

Enhanced Therapeutic Environment

Related Links

New NHS Care Certificate Programme Launched in Lewisham

Positive Recruitment Outcomes and Future Expansion

Related Links

VCSE Inreach Project Enhances Inpatient Care

Positive Feedback and Service User Engagement

Related Links

New Home for Florence and Nelson Wards

Transforming Clinical Care and Environment

Related Links

World Suicide Prevention Day Conference 2026

Suicide Bereavement Service Focus

Related Links

Behind the Scenes at Guy's Clinical Research Facility

Demystifying Clinical Trials

Related Links

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust seals new energy deal

St Thomas' Hospital to receive new low-carbon heating system

Related Links