General news

“It was a big decision to decide to get involved with the programme because we’re sharing our lives, but it’s so important to me that everyone realises these little button batteries are all round us, often in places you’d never expect. It’s vital people have more awareness to help protect their children against the dangers of swallowing them.” 

Six-year old Noah has a rare genetic condition called Alagille Syndrome, which affects around one in 100,000 children from birth. It affects lots of different parts of the body, including the heart and liver, but the biggest concern for Noah is how the condition is impacting his kidneys. His mum Gemma shares their story. 

“Anxiety is a mental health condition and a lot of people aren’t aware of how severely it can impact your life. It’s a lot more than just being worried.” 

Seventeen year old Gavriel has a rare muscle condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Together with his brother Joshua, aged eight, he is taking part in an innovative new clinical trial looking at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to track movement ability in boys with DMD. Their mum Kerry tells their story:

“I’ve met the most courageous, extraordinary and inspiring children in the country whilst witnessing the most incredible pioneering life-changing treatments.” Paul O’Grady

This Migraine Awareness Week we speak to Stacey and Jo to find out about the work of the Headache Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and how migraines and headache conditions can impact children and young people.

“Before her spinal surgery, Reagan couldn’t walk straight. She couldn’t wear certain clothes. She was in pain. She’s about to start Year 11 and I hope now, she’ll be able to be more active. I hope that she’ll go on to have a more able and fulfilling life.”

The Together Festival on the 19 – 21 September, will present a series of workshops, tours, talks and performances that are open to all patients, families, staff and local residents. From fun family-friendly activities, to film screenings and contemporary dance, there is something for everyone.

Back in May we held ‘Taking Flight: A Month Of Stories at GOSH’, the hospital’s first ever flash fiction writing competition, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan, gifting the rights in his famous book and play to the hospital.

1.4 billion gloves are used across the NHS each year. To combat this, Lead Infection Prevention Control Nurse Helen Dunn, and Practice Educators Amy Leonard and Nicola Wilson at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) are on a mission to encourage healthcare professionals to reduce unnecessary use of non-sterile gloves.