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University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Getting the basics of infection prevention and control right

refreshMaking sure we all get the basics right when it comes to infection control sounds easy – but we know it can be hard to do consistently.

Busy wards, staffing issues, operational pressures, changing guidance… all of these can compete with our focus on getting it right, every time.

REFRESH aims to keep those key infection control messages front and centre in all our minds, with a simple set of reminders that we can all use, every day.

REFRESH includes everything from ensuring good ventilation and keeping areas clutter-free, to taking breaks safely and having the confidence to question when something doesn't look right.

By working together, and following the guidance, we can all make a difference in protecting ourselves, our patients and our colleagues.

You'll see lots more about REFRESH around our hospitals and in our regular communications in the coming weeks.

Click here to download the REFRESH poster which spells out the campaign.

REFRESH film

If you haven't done so already, please take a few minutes to watch a new short film in which staff recount their experiences of caring during Covid-19.

From becoming ill themselves, to seeing colleagues become unwell and how outbreaks can spread, the film gives an honest account of the pandemic and its effect on our staff, patients, wards and hospitals.

It's part of a new infection prevention and control campaign aimed at reinvigorating our approach. From providing good ventilation and the importance of regular cleaning, to clearing out clutter and adhering to social distancing, REFRESH aims to provide staff with handy reminders about the simple things we can all do, regardless of our role.

"Making sure we all get the basics right when it comes to infection control sounds easy – but we know it can be hard to do consistently," said Paul Bolton, head of infection prevention and control.

"The film is an important way we can hear honest accounts of some of the difficulties we face providing care during the pandemic, but also what we can all do to support each other and our patients.

"By working together, and following the guidance, we can all make a difference."

Ward closures

Please contact the ward ahead of visiting if one of the wards listed is the one you were planning to visit

The following wards are currently closed

Royal Bournemouth Hospital

All wards at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital are open.

Poole Hospital

All wards at Poole Hospital are open.

Christchurch Hospital

All wards at Christchurch Hospital are open.

These areas are closed to visiting unless prior arrangements have been made.

You can find a list of ward contact numbers here.

For information on how you can help prevent the spread of infection click here.

Updated: 5th January 2024

Infection prevention and control

We take infection control very seriously and work extremely hard to prevent and control infection.

The aim of the Infection Prevention and Control service is to promote a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors. We are here to make sure the risk of contamination and cross-infection are kept to a minimum across all our sites.

Our team works hard to ensure that patients receive the very highest standard of healthcare.

Although the risk of getting an infection in hospital is low, careful attention to prevention and control is a crucial part of keeping you safe.

In addition to our dedicated infection prevention and control team, there are also infection prevention and control link staff in all departments.

We are committed to preventing and minimising the spread of infection. This includes:

  • Constantly improving practice to reduce the incidence of infections acquired in hospital.
  • Providing advice on the management of individual patients, or suspected outbreaks of infection
  • Robust surveillance on targeted infections, reporting all results back to the frontline staff
  • Education and training of all staff via the Trust's induction and mandatory training programme, and locally at ward and department level
  • Producing infection prevention and control policies, in line with Government guidelines, which are readily available to all staff via the Trust's intranet - the policies are also available for the public to view online
  • Audit of policies and guidelines to ensure that best practice is followed
  • Supporting and reassuring patients and their families using our services
  • Leaflets and information to read.

Our team consists of senior nurses, nurse specialists and allied health professionals. We work closely with all departments to help support and drive forwards infection prevention and control standards.

We are based on both sites of the Trust.

Click here to read more on our REFRESH campaign.

Click here to read our annual infection prevention and control board assurance statement.

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