Our news
Autumn 2025
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A look inside endoscopy
Since the dawn of time inquisitive minds have wanted to look inside the human body. In the earliest days this was adone with simple, straight hollow tubes, even bamboo poles.
With the arrival of electricity in the 1800s, physicians could attach a light to one end of the tube. It was progress, but still limited by the straight, rigid design.
The real breakthrough came in the 1960s with the invention of fibre-optic technology, a British innovation. For the first time, doctors could insert a flexible tube into the body, turn it around corners, and see the image transmitted to the eyepiece. This was the advent of endoscopy.
An ERCP procedure taking place at Kingston Hospital
Authored by
Dr Ralph Greaves MB.BS MD FRCP
Consultant Gastroenterologist
& Endoscopy Lead
The next major step came with digital technology in the 1970s. Modern endoscopes are now flexible tubes fitted with a powerful digital camera, giving clear pictures of the gut. They also provide a small instrument channel that allows for minor procedures to be performed, such as removing growths or stopping bleeding.
Charitable donations have been instrumental in helping the hospital’s endoscopy service to develop two key services: Trans-Nasal Gastroscopy and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP).
Gastroscopy, which examines the upper gut, is usually performed through the mouth with local anaesthetic spray and sedation into the veins. The scope passes down the throat to view the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine. Conditions such as reflux or ulcers are easily seen. However, the scope can touch the soft palate, causing gagging and discomfort, which can occasionally lead to the investigation being stopped.
We are now at the forefront of Trans-Nasal Gastroscopy. Here, an ultra-thin (5mm) scope is gently passed through the nose and into the upper gut. Although it sounds unusual, it is far more comfortable for patients and is performed with local anaesthetic only. Patients walk in, have the test, and walk out again within 30 minutes.
Funding provided by Kingston Hospital Charity enabled us to purchase seven scopes, transforming our service. Patient feedback has been excellent, and we host regular training days so other hospitals can learn from our experience.
Charitable funding has also supported the development of ERCP. This is a highly skilled technique used to treat patients with jaundice, which has been caused either by a gallstone or a tumour, often pancreatic cancer, that blocks the bile duct. The endoscopist passes a scope into the small intestine and then threads a fine tube into the bile duct, either to open the lower end to remove the stone or to place a small stent inside to relieve the blockage and allow treatment to continue.
Until recently, these procedures were carried out at St George’s Hospital, with patients transferred by ambulance. Now, thanks to the latest funding from Kingston Hospital Charity for a third ERCP scope, adding to the two it had previously funded, these complex procedures can be performed here at Kingston Hospital, minimising delays, ensuring a more comfortable patient experience and reducing stress for patients and staff alike.
On behalf of the Endoscopy Unit, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all who continue to support Kingston Hospital Charity. The funding we have received has made a real and lasting difference to the care of our patients.
MRI Scans for Ventilated Patients
Critically ill patients at Kingston Hospital can now undergo MRI scans on-site thanks to a new Hamilton MR-1 ventilator, which was purchased with charitable monies.
This advanced equipment allows seamless transfer to and from the MRI unit without disconnecting breathing support, ensuring stability for even the most complex patients. It enables faster on-site scans in time-critical cases, reducing delays, ambulance transfers, and associated costs.
Until now, patients requiring ventilation during a MRI had to be transferred to St George’s Hospital, a process that could take up to eight hours, involve multiple ventilator changes, and divert staff from intensive care and theatres. These transfers were logistically demanding and could risk patient stability, while delaying vital diagnosis and treatment.
Hamilton MR-1 ventilator
Purpose-built for MRI suites, the Hamilton MR-1 ensures that critically unwell patients remain safely supported throughout their scan, without the risks of repeated equipment changes or long ambulance journeys.
By introducing this technology, Kingston Hospital can now deliver faster diagnostics for its most vulnerable patients, reduce pressure on clinical teams, and minimise the risk of cancellations and delays, helping the hospital provide the very best care, at the right time.
“This equipment is a game-changer for our Intensive Care and Radiology teams. Having a dedicated MRI-compatible ventilator means we can safely scan our most complex patients here at Kingston, without delay or risk to their stability. It’s already making a real difference.” said Sarah Lee, Deputy General Manager for Urgent and Emergency Care.
The purchase of the Hamilton MR-1 ventilator simply would not have been possible without the generosity of our supporters.
Your donations help ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care, supported by the latest technology.
Small grants, big impact
At Kingston Hospital Charity, we know that even a relatively modest investment can transform patient care. Through our Small Grants Programme, we fund projects of up to approximately £5,000 that enhance treatment, improve patient experience, and bring innovation into daily practice. Here are three examples of how your support is making an impact. They show that small changes really can make a big difference, from reducing waiting times to improving comfort and quality of life.
Bladder scanner for MS services
Thanks to the generosity of the Hema Kothari Charitable Trust, our Neurology Department has purchased a bladder scanner for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Many of the 800 patients supported by our MS team experience bladder problems, which can lead to infections, disrupted sleep, and even avoidable hospital admissions.
Until now, patients often faced delays waiting for referral to the urology service. With the new scanner, timely assessments and proactive care can now be provided directly in clinic, alongside a new neurogenic bladder management service.
MS Nurse Specialist Natalia Martin Gonzalez said: “This scanner is already transforming the care we can provide. People living with MS can now get proactive, personalised care without delays. It is making a huge difference to their quality of life.”
MS Team with Bladder Scanner
IQoro swallow therapy tool
IQoro swallow therapy tool
Swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia, can have serious consequences, from chest infections to longer hospital stays and, in some cases, the need for feeding tubes. A recent grant has funded ten IQoro devices for our Adult Inpatient Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team. One IQoro costs about £140.
This device stimulates the trigeminal nerve in the lips and activates the body’s swallow pathways. They can be used for patients recovering from stroke, in intensive care, or for those with neurological conditions. Early results are already very positive. One patient was able to have their long-term feeding tube removed thanks to the IQoro device.
Speech and Language Therapist Emily Bristow said: “We’ve had very encouraging results so far. This grant allows us to expand access to this therapy and review its effectiveness, helping more patients regain independence and avoid complications.”
Reusable personalised scrub caps for the labour ward
A grant funded reusable, personalised scrub caps for the labour ward team. These durable, sustainable caps are embroidered with each wearer’s name and role, helping women in theatre quickly identify who is caring for them at a critical time.
This small change has improved communication, reduced plastic waste, and lowered ongoing costs by cutting down on single-use items. A simple idea that’s better for patients, staff, and the environment.
These projects highlight how small grants can deliver big results. Thanks to your support, we can continue funding ideas that bring lasting benefits to patients and families across Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.
Personalised scrub caps
Our autumn appeal
We’re working to introduce two advanced technologies at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, launching our brand-new Innovation & Technology Fund. New medical technology can be life-enhancing, but it is often expensive and beyond the core NHS budget.
Imagine if your neurologist could see how your symptoms evolve minute by minute, not just when you’re in clinic. Many people living with Parkinson’s or movement disorders experience unpredictable “off” periods, tremors or stiffness between appointments. Traditional appointments can give clinicians fragments; this technology can give them the full picture.
Or imagine if your physiotherapist could see precise, real-time data on your strength, balance and movement, not just what’s visible in a short session. With emerging innovations, this is now within reach.
To launch the fund, we’re aiming to bring two innovative tools to Kingston Hospital: VALD Performance Technology for physiotherapy, which measures movement, strength and balance with scientific accuracy, and PKG (Personal KinetiGraph) for neurology, a wrist-worn device that continuously monitors motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s.
Together, they will move us from occasional snapshots to continuous insight. Clinicians can be better informed, treatment can be tailored more precisely, and patients can live with greater comfort, confidence and independence.
PKG (Personal KinetiGraph)
The PKG is a small device, worn like a watch, that tracks movement throughout the day. It records tremors, stiffness and involuntary movements, while also reminding patients when to take medication. It gives doctors a detailed view of how symptoms change between visits, helping fine-tune treatment so patients experience better control, more independence and an improved quality of life.
In clinical studies, PKG data led to changes in treatment plans in nearly eight out of ten appointments, empowering patients to take a more active role in managing their condition and improving conversations with their clinicians.
VALD Performance Technology
VALD provides precise, objective measurements of strength, balance and movement, helping physiotherapists see how patients are progressing and adapt treatment to their individual needs. It can identify issues earlier, make rehabilitation more effective, and allows patients to track their own progress with physiotherapy.
But to bring these innovations to our patients, we need your help.
A gift of £175 could fund one PKG wearable device and its software licence — we’re looking to pilot an initial 50 over a 12 month period.
A larger donation could help us towards the purchase of VALD ForceDeck and DynaMo which costs £19,000.
All donations from this autumn appeal will go directly into our Innovation & Technology Fund, helping us stay at the forefront of technology that is transforming patient care.
Can you help us bring the future of healthcare to Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust today?
To donate please call 020 8973 5040 or click here.
Thank you for your support.
Art that cares for carers and patients
Authored by Stephen Summers, Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust’s Art Coordinator
Over the past two years, our Kingston Hospital Art Programme has grown rapidly, with artworks becoming more visible across the hospital site, thanks in large part to funding from Kingston Hospital Charity.
As art historian Richard Cork put it, “Between birth and death, many of life’s most critical moments occur in hospital, and they deserve to take place in surroundings that match their significance.” That belief sits at the heart of what I do.
Art isn’t only for patients and families, though it can meaningfully support wellbeing and the healing journey. This is also the daily workplace for hundreds of colleagues. When corridors, waiting areas, receptions and break rooms show care, beauty and imagination, they signal that staff matter here. In that sense, Kingston Hospital Charity’s commitment to staff wellbeing is on the walls, and supplements some of the other projects it funds to help with their welfare.
So how does it work in practice? With our Art Committee, I’m curating pieces that suit each space and its purpose. We now have 200+ works across the estate - from the Estates Office to Vera Brown House, the Royal Eye Unit, Library and Day Surgery Unit. Seminar rooms host inspiring pieces; break rooms feature calming florals for a few moments of pause. Outdoors, the sculptural Memory Tree anchors the woodland walkway in the garden adjacent to the Wolverton Centre, and our Link Gallery regularly showcases staff photography.
Where does the art come from? Many works are generous donations from local artists who believe in the power of art in civic spaces. We also collaborate with schools, community groups and Kingston School of Art, creating new ways for people to encounter art at the hospital. Support from Kingston Hospital Charity helps us purchase select low-cost works and professionally mount and conserve donated pieces.
We’re building a collection that reflects our community and lifts our daily experience — and there’s much more to come. The hope is that this programme can be extended to ensure community facilities that are part of Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust can also benefit.
If you’d like to donate artwork or get involved, please get in touch: stephen.summers@nhs.net.
Simulation mannequins boost neonatal care
Charitable funding has ensured Kingston Hospital’s neonatal unit is now home to state-of-the-art newborn simulation mannequins. Kingston Hospital is one of the first in South West London to offer this advanced training, which is already transforming care.
The ‘Super Tory’ mannequin moves, cries, and responds just like a real baby. It can be connected to ventilators and monitors, giving staff the chance to rehearse complex emergencies, such as full newborn life support. Alongside this, two preterm mannequins are helping staff to practise procedures and take observations on babies with different skin tones - an important step in tackling health inequalities.
The difference this training is making is clear. In just seven months, more than 96 staff have taken part, with 100% saying the courses were relevant to their practice and 90% strongly recommending them to colleagues. Staff described the sessions as “safe, hands-on and realistic,” giving them valuable confidence in rare but critical situations.
Regular training now includes Team Approach to Neonatal Stabilisation (TANS) courses and in-situ practice on the ward. As Practice Development Sister, Dawn Browne explains: “We can now offer realistic simulation training to ensure staff are up to date with conditions they may rarely encounter. It builds confidence and ultimately improves care for our babies and families.”
And the impact is already being felt: “The very next day we cared for a 24-week baby. Because of the training, we all felt calm and knew exactly what to do. The resuscitation went smoothly, and the baby had the best possible outcome.”
Improving asthma care with FeNO testing
Patient using FeNO machine in clinic
Kingston Hospital’s respiratory team now has access to a fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) machine, a simple yet powerful tool that is already transforming asthma diagnosis and care for our patients.
Asthma remains one of the most common chronic conditions in the UK, but diagnosis and treatment can be complex. FeNO testing is a quick, non-invasive breath test and the only way to directly measure airway inflammation – the hallmark of asthma.
Having a dedicated FeNO machine in clinic means our team can now make faster and more accurate diagnoses, reducing the need for repeated appointments and tests. It also allows clinicians to personalise treatment for patients already living with asthma. For instance, a high FeNO level may indicate the need for stronger inhaled steroids, while in cases of severe uncontrolled asthma, the test can help identify patients suitable for novel biological therapies - an NHS priority, as this small group accounts for around 50% of overall asthma care costs.
Previously, Kingston Hospital had just one machine, shared between the respiratory clinic and the lung function laboratory. This limited access meant many patients missed the opportunity for timely FeNO testing, leading to delays in treatment. With this new machine in place, more patients can benefit from rapid, accurate assessments at the point of care.
This investment reflects both local and national NHS priorities to expand the use of digital technologies and deliver more efficient, personalised care. Most importantly, it is already making a tangible difference for patients living with asthma.
“A dedicated FeNO machine will significantly enhance how we diagnose and manage asthma at Kingston – giving us the ability to provide faster answers and the best possible care for our patients.” — Dr Siva Mahendran, Consultant Respiratory Physician & Clinical Lead in Asthma.
Our biggest ever Night to Remember
Saturday 6 September truly lived up to its name, it was a Night to Remember! Nearly 500 walkers gathered in Kingston Market Place before setting off along the riverside.
The event raised an impressive £60,941, an amazing effort by all involved. Funds from the walk will contribute towards the purchase of vital medical equipment, including contrast-enhanced mammography, an innovative diagnostic tool that makes it easier to detect cancers in patients with dense breast tissue. This technology can reduce the need for lengthy MRI scans and help speed up diagnosis and treatment, providing faster, less stressful care for patients at Kingston Hospital.
From the moment walkers arrived, there was a wonderful sense of community, as the New Malden Ukulele Giants played. Some took part in memory of loved ones, others to give thanks for the care they or their families had received, and many simply to support Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust that plays such a vital role in local life.
“We’re walking tonight as it’s such a good cause and we really want to support our local hospital and community.” Linda, Christine and Carol
“I’m walking with my mum and dad because Kingston Hospital has treated all of us over the years. This is our way of saying thank you and giving back.” Alfie (age 10)
“Both my husband and I were treated for cancer at Kingston Hospital. We’re so grateful for the care we received, and walking tonight feels like a celebration of that.” Helena
Among the participants were hospital staff, local residents, and teams from community organisations, schools, and care homes across the borough. One walker, who works in digital projects at Kingston Hospital, said they joined because they’ve seen first-hand how charitable donations fund equipment that makes a real difference. Another group from a local care home took part to recognise the hospital staff who often care for their residents.
For others, the event was deeply personal. Billy shared how he was treated in Kingston’s Intensive Care Unit last year, before their son was later diagnosed with kidney disease. “Kingston Hospital looked after both of us,” he said. “It felt right to walk to say thank you.”
The evening brought together people of all ages and backgrounds, each with their own reason to walk. As the lights reflected on the Thames and the final walkers crossed the finish line, the sense of community pride was clear. Our thanks go to every walker, volunteer and supporter who made Night to Remember such a success.
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Kingston Hospital Charity is a registered
charity in England and Wales, number: 1056510
Kingston Hospital Charity,
Galsworthy Road, Kingston upon Thames,
Surrey KT2 7QB
Email: krft.charity@nhs.net
Phone: 020 8973 5040