Celebrating 76 Years of the NHS

As we mark this significant milestone, we want to shine a light on the incredible staff at King's College Hospital and what working in the NHS means to them.

Fester Ike, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia at King's, shares her passion for her work within the NHS:

"I have been in this role for a decade and absolutely enjoy what I do for a living. I am deeply passionate about caring for patients with sickle cell because I come from a family affected by the condition, including one of my siblings. It gives me immense joy to see the positive impact I can make with my expertise.

"For instance, I recently cared for a patient admitted with acute chest crises, one of the most dangerous complications of sickle cell. If not managed properly, it can become critical and potentially fatal. I organized an automated red blood cell transfusion and performed the procedure using the Apheresis OPTIA machine. The patient recovered quickly, reducing his hospital stay, and was incredibly grateful for the treatment. Seeing his smile upon discharge brought absolute joy to my heart. This job is incredibly rewarding, and I love what I do.

 "The NHS has been a tremendous support for our patients, including my sibling. It offers specialized care, free medications, and financial support for many families. It’s one of the largest and most respected health systems in the world.

 "Here's to many more years of service and excellence. Happy 76th Birthday, NHS!"

 Thank you to all NHS staff for your unwavering dedication and hard work.

 #TeamKings #NHS