Trials have started for new 10 minute Covid-19 test
At the end of August, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust announced that trials had started for a new coronavirus test which could tell if a person has Covid-19 in as little as 10 minutes.
The innovative new test, developed by ANCON Medical, requires the patient to breathe into a mouthpiece for one minute so that a sample of the chemicals in their breath can be collected.
These chemicals, known as volatile organic compounds (VOGs) are then analysed by a supercomputer and compared to the VOGs found in the breath of infected patients. A swab test is also done to provide a cheek sample.
The current method for testing for Covid-19 involves a swab test, after which, people have to self-isolate for up to 72 hours whilst they wait to receive their results. If the trial is successful, it could cut the wait down to just 10 minutes and allow people to return to normal life almost immediately if they get a negative result.
If the test is proven to be effective, the new test could be rolled out quickly to testing centres, due to how simple it is to train people on how to perform the test.
Critical care team receive donation from Junior Bakers
In the same week of the new trials announcement, Bill Gray and Ella Cooper visited St Peter’s Hospital to present members of staff from St Peter’s Critical Care team with a cheque for £500 which they had raised by selling cakes and cookies during lockdown.
The friends from Chobham set up ‘Junior Bakers’, a charity/community based business, after they decided they wanted to put smiles on the faces of local residents whilst raising money for their local hospital.
They received support from The Four Horseshoes pub, in Chobham, which is owned and managed by Ella’s parents.
Ian Gray, Bill’s father, said: “As parents, we are proud of their initiative and their empathy towards the pandemic and to giving back at a difficult time.”
Christine Redmond, Matron for the Intensive Care Unit, was one of the members of staff who met with the children and their parents. Christine said: “This is such a wonderful initiative. Many people have been truly amazing in their support for our Trust as a whole. It is particularly heart-warming when this is driven by children.”
“We are very grateful for their efforts and also had the pleasure of trying one of their wonderful cakes! I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved.”
Physiotherapy team nominated for Parliamentary award
At the start of September, Dr Ben Spencer, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge announced that he had nominated the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy Team at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for the Future NHS Award at the NHS Parliamentary Awards.
The team were nominated for their innovative approach to delivering treatment in the community and providing improved care options for residents.
The team have been recognised for their video consultations pilot and planning for digital classes before Covid-19, which meant they were able to continue providing treatment and training programmes throughout the pandemic, and offer their support to colleagues throughout the Trust during this time.
They have also been acknowledged for their relocation of some outpatient physiotherapy sessions from St Peter’s Hospital to River Bourne Health Club. The move took place in July 2019 and meant the team was able to provide better facilities and equipment for patients. One of the aims of this move was that it would encourage patients to continue to be active after their treatment has ended.
The Future NHS Award is one of the 10 categories at the NHS Parliamentary Awards. The awards recognise those working for and with the NHS, who go above and beyond to make the NHS a better service. MPs can nominate one individual or team for each of the categories.
The winners will be presented with their awards in Parliament on 7 July 2021.