Welcome to the University Hospitals Dorset COVID Medicine Delivery Unit (CMDU) Service.

Non-hospitalised patients are eligible if:

• They have a Lateral Flow or PCR positive Covid test result
• They are symptomatic AND the onset of symptoms of COVID-19 is within the last 5 days
• AND they are a member of a highest risk group (see the IAG report for more details)

Patients are not eligible if they meet any of the following:

• Require hospitalisation or a new need for supplemental oxygen
• Known hypersensitivity reaction to the active substance or any of the excipients

We treat only adults age 18 or older. Persons aged between 12 and 17 inclusive should be referred to the on call paediatrician

We also need to know if a patient is pregnant as this will determine choice of treatment

We only accept referrals for patients in any of the following administrative areas: all BH & DT postcodes + SP7 & SP8

If your patient is outside of our administrative area we will tell you and you will need to refer to the appropriate area using the national directory

**If this referral is for an out of area patient who is staying within our administrative area please use their temporary address for this referral**

Referrals are only accepted via this form. If you need to speak to someone you can call 0300 019 6579 or our Lead Nurse Emma Randall: 07766 246887 or email your query to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We have had a huge amount of support and offers of various different products and services during the pandemic and are extremely grateful to everyone for their generosity.

If you have an offer of support, please read the below to see who to contact.

Volunteers urgently required - can you help us?

University Hospitals Dorset urgently require volunteers to help at our hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic to help in Poole and Bournemouth Hospitals.

As you may be aware, our hospitals are busier than ever and we are looking for a number of people who are able to give up their time for a few hours a week to help out in a mix of various roles:

Meet and Greet Volunteers – Stationed at the entrances to the hospitals these volunteers greet visitors and staff, ensuring that everybody sanitises their hands and is wearing a mask.

Vaccination Support Volunteers – We are currently very busy vaccinating staff in our hospitals and the community against COVID-19, these volunteers support the vaccine clinics by helping with queue control and social distancing, directing to the correct areas and wiping down and sanitising the waiting areas.

Safety Guardian – A brand new role designed to take the pressure of staff in wards and clinical areas by keeping a watchful eye on the hospital corridors, supporting sanitisation of high touch areas and that any risks or faulty equipment are being swiftly reported.

Volunteers will be required to help for shifts 0800-1100, 1100-1400,1400-1700. You will be allocated to one of the roles above by the voluntary services staff.

None of these roles will require going into any wards or clinical areas or having direct patient contact. There will be patients with COVID-19 in our hospital wards.

You will need to have a score of 4 or less on this risk assessment to volunteer in our hospital during the pandemic. Please do not apply at this time if you score higher than 4. 

Training will be given and you can use your experience to obtain the National Volunteer Certificate details found https://volunteerlearning.community/guiding-volunteers/

If you are interested please email your details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PPE and business support offers?

Offers of PPE and business support are now being coordinated by a central team and are no longer being managed by individual trusts. The NHS has recently released guidance which requires NHS organisations to obtain PPE through the designated route of NHS Supply Chain to ensure that it meets the required specification and is quality assured. However, the Cabinet Office has set up a specific PPE cell and is very keen to receive such offers from businesses and has established the ‘Offer coronavirus support from your business’ website where further details can be found.

Donations of food or gifts for staff

The numbers of physical gifts like hand cream and soaps, chocolates and meals donated for staff has been absolutely amazing. We are working hard on distributing these evenly and fairly among the teams. If you have any donations, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Staff discounts

If you are offering a discount to NHS staff during the covid crisis then please send the details to email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will then add this information to the intranet pages. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous offer of assistance/donation of products to the Trust in these unprecedented and challenging times.

We have a range of safety measures at our hospitals to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to keep you safe.

The steps we are taking include:

• separating or physically distancing as much as possible, where we care for patients who have tested positive for coronavirus or may have symptoms of coronavirus, and where patients are being treated for urgent surgery

• following national guidance for infection prevention and making sure staff and volunteers are trained in how to limit the spread of infection in hospitals

• asking patients coming in for surgery to self-isolate and to have a COVID-19 swab test

• deep cleaning hospital theatres, equipment and wards regularly, in line with national guidance

• having the right levels of staffing and equipment so that appointments and surgery can take place safely.

What we require from you:

Wear a face mask

If you are coming to hospital as a visitor or patient, you must wear a face covering at all times. The face mask must be worn over your mouth and nose. This is for your safety and the safety of other patients and staff.

Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing and regular handwashing which remain important actions for the protection against Covid-19.

Wearing a face covering may be difficult for some people due to physical or mental health conditions. In these instances, other measures will be considered on a case by case basis, for example timed appointments and being seen immediately on arrival.

We understand that the use of face masks by clinical staff can be challenging for patients who are deaf or hearing impaired. Where possible, clear masks will be used by clinical staff to communicate with these patients, or alternative communication techniques employed such as the use of visual aids like writing things down, speech to text apps, and sign language. 

 Maintain good hand hygiene 

It is important to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; if this is not possible then please use hand sanitiser. Hand gel will be provided at the entrance and at regular intervals throughout our sites.

Keep your distance

Please observe social distancing and keep 2m apart from other patients and staff where possible

Our waiting areas now have restricted numbers of seats due to implementing social distancing, please observe these if you are asked to sit and wait to be called for your appointment. 

Do not come to the hospital if you have symptoms

If you show any symptoms please do not come into our hospitals, or visit your GP, or a pharmacy. If you have an appointment with us, please call us to cancel. There is no need to contact 111 unless symptoms worsen, do not resolve after seven days, or you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms. Please use the online 111 service before calling if you are able to. Guidance on self-isolating is available here.

Across our hospitals we are responding to the changing guidelines and ensuring we are best equipped to care for all our patients.

Please be reassured your safety is a top priority and we are caring for our patients who have Covid-19 in specific areas.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Following government guidance and in response to the evolving coronavirus pandemic, visiting restrictions are in place at the hospitals. We understand that this is extremely difficult for our patients and their family and friends and suggest:

Keeping in touch

We have set up a dedicated email address so you can send your relative or friend a special message, attach a letter or photo to let them know you are thinking of them.

When emailing, please tell us the patient’s full name, address or date of birth and the ward they are on. Please restrict any photographs or attachments to only one.

Your message will be printed in black and white, laminated, and delivered to the patient’s ward.  If the ward is closed the message will be put in a sealed envelope and taken directly to the internal post room.

You will receive an email confirmation that we have received your message and we will endeavour to deliver it to the ward as soon as possible. We are unfortunately unable to let you know when the message has been delivered.

For patients in the Royal Bournemouth email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and for Poole: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please be mindful that the Keeping In Touch email inboxes are manned Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.  Any messages sent out of these hours or over the weekends will face a delay in being delivered.

Hospital Radio Bedside

The Hospital Radio Bedside operates around the clock and is run entirely by volunteers.

Live request shows are broadcast on the following days/times;

Tuesday 8-9pm

Thursday 8-9pm

Sunday 6-7pm

You can listen online and make a request for a patient by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Carer support

We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for our unpaid carers. If your cared-for person is admitted to the Royal Bournemouth or Poole Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic, please discuss any concerns you may have with the nurse in charge of the area the patient is staying in.

Mobile phones

Call or text your relative or friend directly on their mobile as much as you would like to. You can text at any time but please do not call after 9pm as this is likely to disturb other patients.

We have restricted all visitors to the hospital in line with Government guidelines to reduce potential transmission of the illness. Please see the recent video from Alyson O'Donnell our chief medical officer discussing visitors and carers which can be found here.