News

As you know we have all been instructed by the UK government to stay at home to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. In order to protect our patients, staff and the public we have temporarily suspended visitors to Caterham Dene Ward with the exception of visiting someone at the end of their life.  A maximum of two visitors at any time will be allowed if visiting someone at the end of their life. Visitors must not have any current symptoms of COVID-19 i.e a new cough or raised temperature and will be required to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE).

We have been working hard to continuously improve the quality of service our Caterham Dene Minor Injury Unit (MIU) provides.

Over 18,432 people were seen last year, this an increase of 25% from the previous year.*  Despite the growth in the number of people attending we have manged to reduce waiting times to an average of 14 minutes.

The Minor Injury Unit is open daily from 8am to 8pm for those aged 18 and over.  This is a convenient alternative to A&E and provides treatment for:

First Community, (local NHS health care provider in east Surrey and parts of West Sussex), released their results from the 2019 NHS Staff Survey on 19 February 2020. The feedback in the annual survey is extremely positive with the majority of staff indicating First Community really is an outstanding health care organisation.

Over 350 staff took part in the survey with a response rate of 79%, compared with 71% last year and a national average of 48%. This is the highest response rate across NHS community providers.

Staff feedback includes:

On Friday 7 February First Community Health and Care welcomed Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate, to meet staff at its new office base at Redhill Aerodrome.

First Community invests over £11,000 to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families in east Surrey

First Community Health and Care has invested in over £11,000 to implement new initiatives put forward by staff to improve health and wellbeing of children and families in the local community.

In October 2019, the ‘Ideas to Action’ project launched and staff put forward their investment proposals.  

First Community has appointed a highly experienced health care leader and nurse, Jon Ota, as its new Chief Nurse. Jon will replace current Chief Nurse Liz Mouland, who is retiring after over 40 years of NHS service.

Our Minor Injury Unit at Caterham Dene Hospital will be open 8am to 8pm every day over the festive period. This service is for people aged 18 and over who have a minor injury that cannot be managed by your GP or practice nurse. We offer treatment for broken bones, cuts and bruises, bites, eye problems, minor burns and scalds. Our qualified emergency nurse practitioners provide first rate care. 

First Community held its annual staff awards ceremony on Wednesday 11 December at Lingfield Park to celebrate the outstanding health care provided to local residents across east Surrey.

More than 250 people attended the event, including members of staff and partner organisations, to recognise the exceptional patient care, partnership working and leadership skills staff and partners have demonstrated over the last year.

Sarah Billiald, Chief Executive of First Community said, “This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the First Rate Care we have given to people

First Community Health and Care has taken over the contract to provide dietetic services for children with learning disabilities in east Surrey.

As nearly half a million students get their A-level results today, NHS leaders and health care providers across the UK are calling on young people to consider a career in nursing.

The NHS has worked with universities to offer more than 7,000 extra nursing places in higher education from this September, as part of the NHS Long Term Plan to build a workforce for the future of the health service, supported by its successful ‘We are the NHS recruitment campaign’.