Following the end of our Covid-19 partnership with NHS England and the increasing need for healthcare services in our community after the pandemic, New Victoria Hospital will offer a free pre-surgery Covid test to all patients who book their Self Pay procedure in May 2021.

Abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhoea and constipation are the most common symptoms of IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is an incredibly common condition that affects 1 in 3 people in the UK and can be very distressing. Everyday life, for people suffering from IBS, can be very uncomfortable. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a great change in people's eating habits and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle along with significant health anxieties, which has led to an increase in gastrointestinal functional symptoms. Dr Rishi Goel, Consultant Gastroenterologist at New Victoria Hospital, gives guidance on the latest approach to IBS treatment during IBS Awareness Month.

Our NHS England partnership has come to an end we are now ready to increase healthcare service access for local patients. As we reflect on our support for our local NHS Trust, we would like to thank our first-class clinical and non-clinical teams at New Victoria Hospital for setting exemplary standards in healthcare, surpassing the expectations of our patients and NHS patient co-ordinators.

Inherited breast cancer is rare and causes only 5% of all breast cancers. Yet it is one of the major reasons of concern for many women who have experienced breast or ovarian cancer because it affected their mums, sisters or aunts. Genetic risk for breast cancer is one of the factors that you can't modify, but it can be a lifesaver in many ways. During Women's Health Month, Professor Zoe Winters, Breast Surgeon at New Victoria Hospital, explains why genetic testing is becoming mainstream as an essential tool for prevention as well as for more successful treatment outcomes.

With the new Covid variant, certain symptoms such as cough and sore throat, seem more frequent, whereas less people report loss of smell or taste. Could all ENT symptoms be a sign of Covid-19? Mr Parag Patel, ENT Surgeon at New Victoria Hospital, explains some of the most probable causes for common ENT symptoms and when you should seek medical advice.

New Victoria Hospital is delighted to start its new private GP Service on Monday, 01 March 2021. The service will allow local patients and their families to access face-to-face consultations six days a week, during this pandemic. Virtual appointments will also be available, and patients will be able to book the services they require, online.

The reputation of weight loss surgery has been debated since the first modern gastric bypass was performed in 1954 by Kremen. Public opinion is often divided, and this is sometimes due to misconceptions about obesity as a condition and misinterpretation of existing data. Over the past 20 years, bariatric surgery has made a lot of progress and advancements both with scientific research and surgical techniques. During Obesity Awareness Week, Mr Georgios Vasilikostas, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon at New Victoria Hospital, debunks 5 common myths around the risks and benefits of weight loss procedures.

While we face our third national lockdown, we would like to reassure our community that New Victoria Hospital is open and ready to look after our patients' health needs in a welcoming and safe environment.

The Hospital will be open as usual until Thursday, 24th December, when we will close at 3pm. The Hospital will reopen on Monday, 4th January 2021 at 6.30am. Remote Outpatient Consultations will be available between the 29th and the 31st of December. Physiotherapy appointments will also be available on Thursday, 31st December.

Shoulder pain is one of the most common joint ailments, especially during the current pandemic and the increased number of people working from home. Shoulder pain can depend on several causes. Our Orthopaedic Consultant, Mr Mo Imam, specialised in upper limb conditions and treatment talks about shoulder pain and the Big Four.