Complete your National NHS Staff Survey by Friday (26 November)

The National NHS Staff Survey provides us all with the opportunity to share our experiences of working at UHD.

We all have until Friday (26 November) to complete the survey and give our honest views, providing us with a real opportunity to personally support our new values by being open and honest in sharing our experiences of working at UHD.

Listening to understand is another one of our values and the results from the staff survey will be looked at very closely to inform local improvements – always improving where these are needed to support our staff experience.

You should have already received your survey via a secure email from survey@quality-health.co.uk (you may need to check your spam inbox) or a paper copy direct from Quality Health delivered to you in your ward/department.

The survey is confidential and anonymous. Final survey results in such a way that it is impossible to identify an individual's responses.

Please complete the survey as soon as you can and together we can make a positive difference to staff experience at UHD.

Further information on the staff survey is on the intranet if you have any questions please email organisational.development@uhd.nhs.uk.

Festive guidance out now

We're pleased to be able to relax some of the infection, prevention and control restrictions that were in place during last year's festive season. Our aim is to strike a balance between ensuring staff, patients and visitors can enter into the festive spirit whilst doing so safely.

The guidance covers topics including decorations, Christmas trees and gatherings. Click here to read it.

Thank you to all of our support workers

Today is nursing support workers day, and we would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you everyone that works across our hospitals in every role that supports our patients.

All of our support workers play a vital role in ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care, and that their UHD colleagues are supported.

Click here to watch a thank you video from Paula Shobbrook, chief nursing officer, and keep an eye out on our social media today for more.

Return Jupiter systems and respirator hoods to the equipment library

There are currently only nine out of our 29 respirator hoods available in our equipment libraries, which is a significant risk for staff needing to use them.

Some hoods are placed in selected departments for ease of access however the rest have been sent to wards and have not been returned.

If your department has been selected to keep a hood for ease of access, you must check whether your filters are in date and that it is calibrated for safe use. If it is your only piece of PPE it is important that you are also re-fit tested on our new suite of FFP3.

Please check all equipment stores and cupboards for both the Jupiter unit and the hood and contact ext 8242, bleep 0719 or kathryn.crowther@uhd.nhs.uk and alison.hayes@uhd.nhs.uk to arrange their return.

Take five to protect yourself this winter

Having the flu jab is an effective way of guarding against seasonal flu, which is present in the community and already arriving in our hospitals. Alongside the Covid-19 booster (or first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine if you have not already had these), it's the best way to take positive action to protect yourself this winter.

Annual flu vaccinations are available at a range of drop-in clinics on our sites – full details are in the latest news on the intranet. Details of our mobile flu trolley rounds will also be added shortly.

For details on how you can have your Covid-19 booster, or arrange your first or second vaccination dose, click here.

RBH: Wards to book transport directly with E-zec

This Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (23, 24 and 26 November) all wards should book patient transport directly with E-zec, not through the discharge lounge.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

New appointments for the trust-wide clinical ethics committee

Over the last few months we have been working to bring our two clinical ethics committees into a single clinical ethics committee for the whole of UHD. This committee has a vital role in providing support and guidance to clinicians in times when they are faced with clinical dilemmas around care.

We are delighted to announce the Dr Helen McCarthy, consultants haematologist, has been appointed as chair of the new committee and Dr Peter Grenholm, consultant neurologist, as deputy chair.

Both bring a wealth of experience to the role and are keen to increase and broaden membership of the committee to ensure we have the right degree of challenge and opinion when addressing complex issues.

POOLE: Print your emergency trollies checklist for new weekly checks

Emergency trolley checklists are available to print from the resuscitation services intranet page. We are moving to weekly emergency trolley and grab bag checking to try and improve compliance with emergency trolley standards. Please commence weekly checking now as this should be implemented no later than the first week in December.

To ensure you have the most up to date version of your checklist do not save copies to a hard drive or print more than a couple at a time.

ED resus, critical care and paediatrics checklists are unchanged so please continue to use your current ones.

How much do you know about antimicrobials?

Our teams across UHD have been raising awareness of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.

Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. Resistance to them has been declared by the WHO as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.

Pop down to the dome at Poole today and tomorrow from 10-11am to find out more from our pre-registration pharmacists. At RBH look out for Trish Turton, clinical microbiology nurse, who is touring wards with an antimicrobial message.

Schwartz Round panellists

We are looking for panellists to be part of the next Schwartz Round focusing on 'Kindness at Christmas' on Thursday 16 December between 2-3pm.

Schwartz rounds are a way for all hospital staff in all roles and from all backgrounds to come together to talk about the emotional and social challenges of working within the NHS and caring for patients. The aim is to offer staff a safe environment in which to share our stories.

Christmas can be a difficult time of the year for many of us alongside the relenting uncertainty of COVID. It is often however the random acts of kindness, particularly at Christmas that connect and unite us together. This Schwartz round allows us to remember those times of kindness and the power and impact that this can have on us all and our patients.

If you are interested in speaking at the event email schwartz.round@uhd.nhs.uk.

RBH: Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) is live

Following a successful pilot on Ward 4, EMPA has been rolled out onto the older persons assessment unit (wards 25 and 26) and will continue to be deployed across older persons medicine for the remainder of the year. There will be a 2 week pause during the Christmas break and the team will recommence deployment in the New Year.

Staff need to complete training to gain access to the system and this can be accessed via the EPMA intranet page.

Clinical pressures mean staff are moving around the wards to provide additional cover and nurses and prescribers may have early exposure to the system. With that in mind, the EPMA team urge all staff to complete their training as soon as possible, regardless of the deployment dates.

Also, be assured that we are constantly reviewing plans with our executives and it can be slowed down if necessary, all of which would be communicated in advance of any change.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call the EPMA team on 2984 or email epmapht@uhd.nhs.uk.

Modular theatre tours

Our modular theatre at RBH arrived safely and is being made ready for use. Please refrain from visiting the unit as the area is still under construction.

We will be arranging official tours of the unit as soon as it is safe to do so.

If you would like more information or if you have any questions, please contact george.geddis@uhd.nhs.uk.

Grow in your role with our drop-in sessions for bands 2-4

There are drop-in sessions for staff in bands 2-4 every Wednesday in the education centre at Poole Hospital on Mondays 1-3pm and in the education centre at RBH on Wednesdays 1-3pm. These sessions will help you with your career development, offer advice on signing up for training courses and provide pastoral support.

If you have any questions about attending the sessions, please email apprenticeships@uhd.nhs.uk.

RBH: Showers in male changing room 12.049 out of use

We are replacing the flooring in the shower areas of the male changing rooms 12.049 (near the restaurant in the east wing).

The work is planned for the 29 November – 11 December and during this time the showers will be out of use.

You will still be able to use the lockers in these changing rooms. Alternative showers are available on the first-floor eye unit and in the west wing.

We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

RBH: Corridor between Derwent and renal closed this week

From Wednesday to Friday (24-26 November) the corridor between Derwent and renal will be closed. There will be signage in place to guide renal patients through the west entrance and out through the Jigsaw fire doors.

The UHD Revue needs you!

Our first UHD revue show is coming in May 2022, taking a lighter look at life in the NHS in a show created by our teams for our teams.

If you're an actor, singer, dancer or musician, or if you are interested in behind the scenes roles such as writing, prop making or lighting and sound the team would like to hear from you. No experience is necessary, everyone is welcome.

Find out more on Teams or in person from 6-7pm on the 6 December in the Poole Hospital lecture theatre and on 8 December in the RBH lecture theatre.

If you can't make the meeting or would like to know more email naomi.fox@uhd.nhs.uk, jason.bowie@uhd.nhs.uk or sally.stroud@uhd.nhs.uk.

Learn, discuss and share your thoughts at the OPM Journal Club

The older people's medicine (OPM) journal club meets again in the library at RBH and on Teams on 7 December from 1-2pm.

The group will be discussing the paper 'decision making capacity assessment for confused patients in a regional hospital: A before and after study'.

If you would like to come along or find out more please email elizabeth.wright@uhd.nhs.uk or naomi.langford@uhd.nhs.uk.

POOLE: Roman Catholic Mass in December

This service will be held at the new time of 12pm each Thursday from 2 December, the first week of Advent.

The service is open to all staff and will be broadcast live on Hospedia TV Chapel Channel 15 to patients' beds.

A reminder that Covid restrictions apply to numbers allowed in the prayer space.

Updates to NHS England Covid-19 waste management standard operating procedure (SOP)

The updated SOP on waste management sets out the waste management approach for all healthcare facilities and testing facilities in England. Read the updated SOP on the Covid-19 pages under infection control.

Your Weekly Wellbeing

This week don't forget to make the most of your wellbeing offers from across UHD. Our weekly offers page includes all the latest health and wellbeing training and events dates for our teams. This week you can sign up for Able Futures winter webinar, bringing you all the best advice for feeling better during the festive season.

Join our all staff briefing tomorrow

Find out more about a range of key issues from our chief executive, Debbie Fleming, at tomorrow's all staff briefing from 12.30-1.30pm.

Topics covered will include operational performance and pressures, our Gather event at Poole and the RBH ground breaking ceremony, an update on CEO recruitment process and ICS chief executive appointment, the staff survey, the upcoming QI celebration event and our buildings and modular theatre at RBH.

Debbie and the rest of our executive team will be on hand to answer your questions. If you would like to ask any questions in advance, please email communications@uhd.nhs.uk.

Click here to join.

Take five and protect yourself all winter

Annual flu vaccinations are available at a range of drop-in clinics on our sites.

Our hospitals are seeing a number of cases of flu, which is circulating in the community together with Covid-19. The best way to protect yourself from contracting flu this winter is by having your jab at one of our drop-in clinics taking place on all three sites at a range of times.

The jab takes just five minutes but can protect you all winter.

Check the latest news on the intranet for a full list of drop-in clinics.

Our Covid-19 vaccination booster programme has ended – for details on how you can have your booster, or arrange your first or second vaccination dose, click here.

It's World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

We're supporting the World Health Organisation's World Antimicrobial Awareness Week which starts tomorrow.

Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.

Look out for screensavers and posters and find out more from pre-registration pharmacists in the dome at Poole Hospital from 10-11am each day on 19, 20, 23, and 24 November.

At Royal Bournemouth, Trish Turton, clinical microbiology nurse, will be touring wards at RBH with her 5 top tips about antimicrobial resistance. You can download her handy leaflet here, or get the poster here.

Join our Christmas Schwartz Round on kindness on 16 December at 2pm via Teams

Christmas can be a difficult time of the year for many of us alongside the relenting uncertainty of COVID. It is often however the random acts of kindness, particularly at Christmas that connect and unite us together.

This Schwartz round allows us to remember those times of kindness and the power and impact they can have on us and on our patients.

The event is open to all UHD staff. Please visit the Schwartz Round page on the intranet for the link and more information.

How does drinking affect our health - find out from our teams

This week is Alcohol Awareness Week. The number of people suffering from liver disease is increasing and our hospitals have seen a rise in alcohol admissions, so it is more important than ever to get our care right for our patients, and for ourselves.

We are all encouraged to stay healthy and mindful of our alcohol intake over winter, and to help our patients make better choices around alcohol. Our alcohol, liver and homeless teams are on hand to offer advice on accessing their services.

Visit our teams in the dome at Poole and the Oasis at RBH this week to find out more about alcohol intake, units of alcohol, and the effect that drinking alcohol can have on your liver.

Keep an eye on our social media for more information, and click here to read more from LiveWellDorset.

Updated festive guidance is coming

We'll be sharing updated guidance on how we can bring a little festive cheer to our work areas shortly.

A popular idea last year was the distribution of window-film Christmas decorations like those pictured, approved by our infection prevention and control team for use on wards and in departments, and we're planning to do the same this year.

Please have a check around your work area to see if yours were safely stored away so they can be reused this year. If you no longer have them and need new ones please contact Claire Davis by 5pm on Friday (19 November) via claire.davis2@uhd.nhs.uk stating your ward/department and location.

Please also let Claire know if you have spare packs of the decorations that other wards or departments could use.

Your chance to see our showcase of quality improvements

You can now see the chosen projects which have been submitted for consideration ahead of our Qi Celebration event on 24 November.

The 24 projects feature a range of examples of how teams have tried out quality improvements in their area with the hope they'll inspire others to do the same.

You can view the selected projects ahead of next week's celebration on the intranet.

Urgent - have you seen missing biopsy guns?

Our breast screening service urgently needs to find six missing Bard biopsy guns. These are thought to have been returned to Poole Hospital from sterile services, and so are likely to be in protective packaging, but have not yet reached the department.

If you can help please email Sue.Sutton@uhd.nhs.uk

RBH: Atrium first floor corridor closure

Due to the demolition of the former admin and discharge/AEC blocks the corridor as marked in the blue bubble will be closed until Friday 19 November between 7.30 and 11.30am each day.

Changes for Powergate users

The Powergate service has been reviewed and improved, with each care group now allocated one buyer. No matter your query, clinical or non-clinical, you will now have one point of contact who will be there to support you.

Find your buyer here:

• medical care group buyer is Megan Pigott
• surgical care group buyer is Alison Mallinson on Monday, Tuesday and Friday and Sean Fuller on Wednesday and Thursday
• specialities care group buyer is Rukia Islam
• operations and corporate care group buyer is Connor Hornby
• IT buyer is Sean Fuller
• clinical lead buyer remains as Shobha Doll with the non-clinical lead buyer remains as Gary Hall
• there will be no changes for estates staff.

Any emails already sent to either the clinical or non-clinical email address do not need to be resent as they will be worked through during the transition.

Training videos to help our end users with PowerGate processes and procedures are currently being recorded to be shared on the intranet as soon as possible.

Please email any feedback to your designated buyer.

Update your Apple ID email address on your trust devices

Soon emails sent to @rbch.nhs.uk and @poole.nhs.uk addresses will stop working as part of our UHD email migration project.

It is important that if you have a trust iPad or iPhone you update your Apple ID email address to @uhd.nhs.uk. This document by Apple will guide you through the process of changing your Apple ID.

Failure to update your Apple ID to your new email address ending in @uhd.nhs.uk may cause you issues in the future.

Have your say at the consultation launched on NHS Pension Scheme member contribution rates

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced a consultation on proposed changes to member contribution rates for the NHS Pension Scheme.

This includes a change for employees working part time. It proposes your pension contributions will be calculated on your actual annualised earnings from the previous scheme year, instead of your notional whole-time equivalent, which may result in you paying a reduced per cent rate.

Currently part time employees contribution rate is based on whole-time equivalent earnings.

A new member contribution structure containing new tiers and new contribution rates is also proposed. This new structure would be introduced over two years with the first changes introduced in April 2022 followed by the remaining changes in April 2023.

Click here and here for more information and click here to have your say by 11.45am on 7 January 2022.

Removing the age discrimination - busting common myths for staff moving to the NHS 2015 pension scheme on 1 April 2022

The McCloud judgement ruled that to stop age discrimination staff under protection to stay in their previous pension scheme will be moved to the 2015 scheme in April 2022.

All pension scheme members with the protection will end on 31 March 2022 and all members will move to the 2015 NHS Pension scheme on the 1 April 2022 regardless of age and scheme membership.

We are keen to help staff understand some common myths around this change:

• It is a myth that if you don't retire before 1 April 2022, you will have to wait until state pension age to claim your pension.
• Your Pension benefits already built up in the 1995/2008 schemes will not be lost – you do not need to retire in March 2022 to ensure your current 1995/2008 pension benefits are secure.
• All scheme members will be in the 2015 scheme from 1 April 2022.
• You do not need to make any decisions about retiring before March 2022 to secure your current benefits.

There are more helpful documents around how NHS employers is supporting this change here, and please see these FAQs about the change for further clarification.

Training sessions to mark International Fraud Awareness Week

For the next two weeks our fraud teams from RSM UK will be hosting training sessions via Teams.

There are sessions suitable for all staff on general fraud, bribery and conflicts of interest and cyber fraud. There are also specific sessions covering finance fraud and recruitment fraud updates.

Click here for a timetable of events and use this link to join your update of choice.

You can also read the latest edition of the Notice Fraud newsletter from the RSM team here.

Healthcare support worker (HCSW) apprenticeships

Applications are now being taken for the upcoming HCSW apprenticeship in January and May 2022.

This is an opportunity to gain new qualifications and progress your career, and enables you to apply for registered nurse training programmes.

This programme is funded by the levy and you will need to attend Bournemouth and Poole college once a fortnight.

Applicants need their Care Certificate and maths and English GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, or functional skills level 2. If you don't have these, contact us as we can provide training.

Email apprenticeships@uhd.nhs.uk for more information and an application form by 5 December.

Having trouble accessing the eForm Portal?

Following recent updates to chrome, some legacy desktop shortcuts will no longer work, including the 'tree' icon for the eForms Portal and other clinical systems.

You can access these systems using the managed bookmarks feature in your preferred browser (Edge, Chrome or IE) on any machine in the trust.

IT are working to remove the legacy shortcuts to prevent further issues with access and out of date versions.

Please note:

If you are unable to locate the bookmark you need, please check another browser before an issue to IT.

Some systems such as eForms Portal (Chrome / Edge) and ESR (IE11) are browser specific and will not show in incompatible browsers.

Job of the week – mental health care support worker

You will be supporting patients primarily on the older people's admission assessment unit and following their care through to the older people's wards.

The patient group will be those presenting with mental health or cognitive difficulties in the context of declining physical health and/or neurological or neurodegenerative conditions.

You will spend significant periods of time with patients providing physical, emotional, and psychological care. This patient group may present with some challenging behaviour however additional training will be given to enable you to confidently and competently manage this patient group.

The closing date is 22 November and the role is based at Poole read more here.

Your wellbeing weekly

Don't forget to keep up to date with all our wellbeing offers. This week, sign up for courses on posture and working with back pain, find out more about our motivational Monday sessions and don't miss your last chance to sign up for this week's Woodland Wellbeing sessions.

Festive guidance out now

We're pleased to be able to relax some of the infection, prevention and control restrictions that were in place during last year's festive season. While Covid-19 has not gone away and remains a real threat, our aim is to strike a balance between ensuring staff, patients and visitors can enter into the festive spirit whilst doing so safely.

The guidance covers topics including decorations, Christmas trees and gatherings. Click here to read it.

A festive thank you to our staff

This has been a year like no other. You have had to work harder than ever before as the pressure across our health systems has never let up.

We know how difficult it has been and this year we are giving every member of staff, including bank staff who have received a payment from UHD in the last three months, a £10 voucher to say thank you.

The vouchers will be funded by University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity.

Further details of how these vouchers will be distributed to follow.

Thank you again for everything you do to help care for our patients and to support each other.

Take five and protect yourself all winter

Flu trollies staffed by occupational health professionals offering the flu vaccination will be out and about in Poole and Bournemouth hospitals this weekend, from 9am-2pm on Saturday and 10am-2pm on Sunday. If you see one and haven't yet had your flu jab, take five minutes to protect yourself this winter.

Further trolley rounds are planned in the coming weeks – keep up to date with these in this bulletin and on the intranet.

Having the flu jab is an effective way of guarding against seasonal flu, which is present in the community and already arriving in our hospitals. Alongside the Covid-19 booster (or first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine if you have not already had these), it's the best way to take positive action to protect yourself this winter.

Annual flu vaccinations are available at a range of drop-in clinics on our sites.

Check the intranet latest news for a full list of these clinics, taking place in addition to the trolley rounds.

For details on how you can have your Covid-19 booster, or arrange your first or second vaccination dose, click here.

Don't forget your twice weekly lateral flow tests

It is incredibly important we all continue to complete twice weekly lateral flow tests, uploading the results to our secure web portal, mytest.uhd.nhs.uk.

Self-testing is helping to prevent the spread of the virus and we have a responsibility to report these results to NHS England.

Poole: test kits are available for collection from 9.15 – 10.15 Monday to Friday from Cornelia Lounge, room CO1-01. E-mail steve.randle@uhd.nhs.uk with the details of how many test kits are required and which department they are for prior to collection.

RBH: test kits are available for collection from good inwards from 8am-4pm Monday to Friday

Don't forget, if you test positive on your home device, or if you have any symptoms, you need to self-isolate immediately and have a follow-up PCR test with our swabbing team: staff.swabbingrbch@uhd.nhs.uk or staff.swabbingpoole@uhd.nhs.uk.

Find out more about self-testing, including a video on how to do it, on our Covid intranet pages.

RBH: Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) temporary relocation

The PALS service is temporarily relocating to Poole Hospital. This will not affect the service provided and will continue to be able to discuss and resolve concerns for Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals.

Please phone the team on 0300 019 8499, or email patientexperienceteam@uhd.nhs.uk.

Our website, www.uhd.nhs.uk, has up-to-date advice for patients and families on how to raise concerns, compliments and complaints.

New national cleaning standards

New national standards of healthcare cleanliness are being introduced later this month and apply to all healthcare environments. These replace the previous cleaning and monitoring frameworks, e.g. PLACE assessments.

The new standards were created by NHS England and NHS Improvement, and will build on the great work already taking place within UHD. The emphasis is on a multidisciplinary approach, with our housekeeping, cleaning and estates teams supported by nursing and other clinical colleagues.

Each care group is currently designing and agreeing its own cleaning regime to meet the standards before they are rolled out later this month. Posters will be displayed at the entrances to work areas, showing the current (star) cleanliness rating for that area.

For information on how your care group will be implementing the new standards, speak to your ward sister or matron.

For more information on the implementation of the national standards of healthcare cleanliness at University Hospitals Dorset contact Mike Richardson, UHD facilities manager, via michael.richardson@uhd.nhs.uk.

Together we can make a difference – NHS Staff Survey

It's important that we all take the time to complete our national NHS Staff Survey. Our views will help us to shape the future of UHD.

By giving just 15 minutes of your time you can help make the NHS the workplace we all want it to be.

Email organisational.development@uhd.nhs.uk for more information.

Catch up on your all staff briefing

Did you miss Wednesday's all staff briefing? Catch up here.

The meeting included a Q and A session with our chief executive, Debbie Fleming, and topics covered included operational performance and pressures, an update on CEO recruitment process and ICS chief executive appointment, the staff survey, the upcoming QI celebration event and our buildings and modular theatre at RBH.

POOLE: Five new virtual consultation rooms in main outpatients

New virtual consultation rooms are located at the main outpatient department, pink zone level 0 and are part of the outpatient transformation programme. These are planned to be used across the trust, so clinicians have a dedicated room to use for virtual consultations.

The small rooms provide a bright and airy dedicated space which comprises of dual monitor screens, telephones, and air conditioning. The rooms will provide us with further capability to continue to grow remote outpatient attendances where clinically appropriate and provide clinicians with a resource that will support their digital first approach to their clinic template reviews now and into the future.

The rooms can be booked via the seniorsoutpatients@uhd.nhs.uk and will be added to the Bookwise room booking system as soon as possible.

International Fraud Awareness Week - could you be our new counter fraud champion?

This week we have been highlighting the work we do to prevent, detect and take action against those who commit fraud. We are committed to ensuring UHD is a safe place to work and that our resources are protected and used in the manner intended; and we can all help achieve this by remaining vigilant to any fraud related threats.

We are looking for someone with a keen interest in tackling fraud to help Pete Papworth, our chief finance officer, as our counter fraud champion. You will be helping to raise awareness of fraud, bribery and corruption within the organisation at a strategic level and will suggest areas for improvement. If you would like to find out more about this new, voluntary role, go to the counter fraud pages on the intranet or email pete.papworth@uhd.nhs.uk.

Don't forget to attend our remote training sessions next week, held by our counter fraud team to remind you of our fraud risks, how we can tackle them, and how you can protect yourself.

If you are in doubt about anything related to fraud then please contact pete.papworth@uhd.nhs.uk, one of our Counter Fraud colleagues, our Freedom to Speak up Guardian helen.martin@uhd.nhs.uk or any of our Freedom to Speak up Ambassadors.

Get ready to celebrate quality improvement (Qi)

Next week look out for a range of events designed to celebrate the staff, teams and projects within the trust which are improving patient care.

As part of the annual NHS Fab Change Day next Wednesday (24 November) our Qi team will across our sites with displays to promote some of the leading submissions to the trust-wide poster campaign.

Visit the teams in the dome at Poole and the restaurant at RBH from 12-2pm and the entrances at XCH from 12.30-1.30pm.

You can view all the submitted projects as well as more details on quality improvement at UHD here.

International Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today at 11am we held a service in the Poole Hospital Prayer Space to remember and hold in our hearts transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of violence.

We stood in solidarity with all those who because of discrimination, prejudice, fear, intimidation and violence have been made vulnerable or feel diminished due to their sexual identity, race, culture, belief or diverse ability.

You can watch the event back on our UHD Facebook page.

Help is at hand for people suffering COVID-19 after-effects

A new service has been set up to help people across Dorset recover from lingering after-effects of COVID-19.

Around one in ten people who contract the virus have persistent symptoms which can last for months (also known as 'Long COVID'), affecting their quality of life, relationships, and ability to work.

Dorset HealthCare has established a post-COVID syndrome (PCS) service, which will support patients with self-management or direct them to specialist advice or treatment.

People who have had symptoms for 12 weeks or more, are being urged contact their GP. If tests rule out other causes, and more help is required, GPs can refer patients to the PCS Service for specialist support and guidance.

Common PCS symptoms include:

• fatigue
• breathlessness
• headaches
• brain 'fog'
• pain in the joints or chest.

Once referred, PCS staff will carry out an in-depth assessment of the patient, and a team of healthcare professionals will then decide on the best way forward.

This could involve help with self-management around diet, breathing, relaxation and exercise, or support from staff specialising in rehabilitation, respiratory problems, mental health, pain management or other services.

To find out more, visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/post-covid-syndrome.

Our response to the increase in UK terror threat level

Following the terrorist incident at Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday (14 November) and the murder of MP Sir David Ames in October, the UK Threat Level has been raised from 'substantial' to 'severe'.

This means that it is 'highly likely' that a terrorist attack could happen in the UK. We have been reassured however by Counter Terrorism policing that this change is a precautionary measure and not based on any specific threat either to Dorset or the NHS.

What we have done

• Undertaken a review of our security and emergency planning process to ensure they are up to date and reflect current guidance and best practice
• Briefed our Security and Portering teams who will as always will remain alert.
• Liaised with Counter Terrorism policing, Dorset Police and NHSEI

What we are asking of teams

• Remain vigilant at all times and if unsure either challenge or report on a 2222 internally
• Estates and contractors to be reminded not to leave unattended tool bags and equipment
• Maintain regular contact with the trust communications (staff bulletin and core brief) to receive updates
• Raise any concerns at your local team briefing for onward escalation

You are also encouraged to read the following www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/WeaponAttacksStaySafe.aspx.

Register for self-service password resets

It's easier than ever for you to recover your Microsoft password if you forget it.

You can reset, unlock, or change your password without having to contact our IT team by registering for self-service password reset (SSPR).

You can complete the sign-up process using your existing username and password and after you register if you ever forget your password, you can reset it again yourself.

Click here to register for the service.

Updated social media policy

We have refreshed our social media policy so that it reflects the full list of other policies that work alongside it. In addition, we have inserted a new section that covers social media use during the Covid-19 pandemic. You can read the full policy on the non-clinical policies page on the Poole intranet.

Guidance on the national data opt-out

The national data opt-out (NDOO) allows patients to choose if they do not want their confidential information to be used for certain purposes beyond their individual care and treatment – for example for research, planning and some national audits.

All NHS trusts must comply with this standard by 31 March 2022.

The trust has produced some general guidance on the impact of the NDOO, and specific clinical audit guidance (available on the clinical audit intranet pages) on NDOO.

RBH: Locker audit underway

If you use a locker in the main staff changing rooms by the restaurant, or by the stairwell in the west wing please ensure you email travelteam@uhd.nhs.uk to confirm your details and locker number.

Failure to do so may result in your locker being issued to someone else.

It's two weeks to go for Purple Light Up Day

#PurpleLightUp is a global movement that celebrates the contribution of disabled employees around the world. It is held on the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December.

Our Purple Light Up Day celebrations are being organised by our ProAbility network. Some organisations mark the day by lighting up buildings in purple, while at UHD we will be hosting talks on Teams, open to all staff, with:

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, disabled GP trainee, Council Member of the British Medical Association, and Deputy Leader of the Women's Equality Party

Dr Liz O'Riordan, who due to her own stage 3 breast cancer treatment has been unable to complete operations in her own role as a consultant breast surgeon. She is now an ambassador for Working With Cancer to help empower cancer patients to return to work.

Find out more about the talks on the ProAbility network pages or email pro-ability.network@uhd.nhs.uk.

Email scam for NHS Covid-19 support payments

A scam email has been shared directly with some NHS staff offering access to a Covid-19 relief fund of nearly £3m. The emails are being sent from genuine NHS.net account however it has been taken over by fraudsters.

The fund is a scam which has no link to the NHS. If you enter your username and password to a fake log in page the fraudsters will be able to access your email account.

If you receive this email do not click on the link, report the email to our IT teams and delete it.

Don't forget to use your discounted Morebus tickets

Morebus offers discounted tickets for UHD staff.

To access your discount, download the Morebus app and use your UHD email address to create your account. Discount is available on all tickets above 7 days. Use the promo code 'DHT21YEAR' when purchasing your tickets.

If you have any issues with the app or retrieving your discount, please contact Morebus.

Carers Rights Day - celebrating and uniting unpaid carers across Dorset

Next Thursday (25 November) is Carers Rights Day. Join the Carers Dorset Festival, which includes 2 live events and 30 digital sessions. It celebrates Carers Rights Day by bringing together unpaid carers and organisations across Dorset. At the festival you can hear about UHD's carer hospital passport from 10.05 -10.35am

Our UHD carer support service will also be hosting a stand at the Prama Life Carers Information Day, Allendale Centre in Wimborne from 9am-12pm on 25 November.

For any further information please contact karen.uphill@uhd.nhs.uk ext 8714 or email carersupport@uhd.nhs.uk.

Five handy video guides to help you cycle safely this winter

Cycling UK, a national charity designed to help more people cycle safely and enjoyably, have produced a series of video guides that will answer common questions about cycling on the roads.

You can download handy written guides on bike maintenance to keep on your phone, in case you need to quickly refer to something when you're out and about.

Your weekly wellbeing

This week we are happy to share that the NHS staff have been given free access to the Headspace mindfulness app until December 2022. Click here for more information.

Over on our wellbeing pages, find out about Our Dorset's Relax, Reset, Recharge four-week interactive program, learn how to get better sleep, sign up for posture courses plus much more.

Take five minutes to protect yourself all winter

Annual flu vaccinations remain available at a range of drop-in clinics on our sites.

Our hospitals are seeing a number of cases of flu, which is circulating in the community together with Covid-19. The best way to protect yourself from contracting flu this winter is by having your jab at one of our drop-in clinics taking place on all three sites at a range of times.

The jab takes just five minutes but can protect you all winter.

Check the intranet latest news for a full list of drop-in clinics.

Be alert to infection prevention and control practices

We all have a role in infection control, especially at a time when the number of Covid-19 cases in the community and in our hospitals is increasing.

Busy wards and operational pressures can all compete with our focus on getting it right, every time. Yet it is often the simple things that are the most effective:

• Wear the right PPE for the environment you are in. If you're unsure, ask
• Wash your hands and observe good hand hygiene
• Ensure there's good ventilation
• Maintain social distancing wherever possible
• Keep regular touch points like phones, door handles and telephones clean

If you see something that doesn't look right, it's ok to ask.

Please ensure you continue to take your lateral flow test twice a week.

For further infection prevention and control advice, check the intranet.

Complete the NHS Staff Survey if you haven't already

The annual NHS Staff Survey is a really important way for staff to have their say completely anonymously on how they are feeling at work. Surveys have been issued by email and by post.

Just 15 minutes of your time can help make UHD the workplace we all want it to be.

For more information email organisational.development@uhd.nhs.uk.

Individual Covid-19 risk assessments update

All staff should have an up to date Individual covid-19 risk assessment, which is specific to the area they are working in and their individual status.

To reflect the increased prevalence of Covid-19 in the local area the individual Covid-19 risk assessment has now been updated.

It is recommended that staff who have previously scored either 'very high' or 'high' in their existing assessment should complete the updated version, as well as staff who have a change in medical condition or circumstances.

RBH: Reminder - new modular theatre delivered this weekend

Some disruption is expected this weekend (12-14 November) as multiple large vehicles arrive on site to deliver our new modular theatre unit. The lorries will be arriving at staggered times to minimise the congestion.

Some car parking spaces in car parks S3 and S4 will be closed from 5pm on the 10 November to prepare for the work and allow for space for the delivery over the weekend. These closures will be monitored by the travel team and the spaces will be re-opened when the area is clear.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) rolls out

From today (12 November), any staff member accessing 365 Services from an offsite location using an individual (ie not shared or generic) account registered before 28 October will need MFA in place.

MFA provides greater security to our systems.

You will be guided at the log in screen on how to set it up, alternatively you can set up MFA yourself here.

Employment probationary period policy and procedure – new E-Form launched

We are pleased to announce that a new E-Form has been launched on the UHD e-forms portal.

This form is for recording the 2 formal probationary review meetings held during the probationary period. The E-Form mirrors the template form included in the UHD Employment Probationary Period Policy and Procedure which is published on the HR webpage.

The form is initiated by the new starter's line manager and then completed online by the manager and new member of staff who both have their comments noted. Once finalised the form provides a written and confidential record of the review meeting. Upon submission the form is saved to the member of staff's personnel file, but can also be printed, but we would prefer you didn't hit that 'print key' to support the environment.

A six month probationary period applies to all newly appointed UHD members of staff who are entrants or re-entrants to the Trust, with or without continuous NHS service. This includes members of staff working on the Temporary Staff Bank who are successful for substantive posts at the Trust and staff engaged on a Preceptorship Programme. It does not apply to internal appointments or staff who retire and return.

An employment probationary period is a valuable management tool when used correctly. Successful probationary periods lead to new members of staff performing well in their new role. They also place a clear responsibility on managers to induct new starters properly and address any issues early. The procedure is set out clearly in the policy, but managers may contact their HR Business Partner for further advice if needed.

You can access the e-forms portal via your preferred browsers managed bookmarks menu.

Appointment of new chief executive for Dorset's Integrated Care Board

Following a competitive national recruitment process, we are able to confirm that Patricia Miller OBE has been successfully appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer Designate for Dorset's Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Patricia, working with all partners will be overseeing the planning and delivery of NHS services across Dorset. She takes up the role after serving as the Chief Executive of Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust since 2014.

"The Integrated Care System is going to be vital to the future for our health services across Dorset," said Debbie Fleming, chief executive of UHD.

"University Hospitals Dorset looks forward to playing a major role within the ICS and we congratulate Patricia on her appointment as Chief Executive. Our organisations have a long history of working together and we share the same ambition to serve local people well – tackling health inequalities, improving services and delivering better outcomes across Dorset and the surrounding area"

Read more here.

UHD supporting World Antimicrobial Awareness Week - 17-24 November

We're supporting the World Health Organisation's World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 17-24 November with a range of educational activities next week.

Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.

Resistance to them is a global health threat which the World Health Organisation, which is behind the week, has declared as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.

At UHD next week, we'll be exploding some of the common myths around penicillin, one of the most-used antibiotics available.

Look out for screensavers and new posters from next week, while you can find out more from pre-registration pharmacists in the dome at Poole Hospital from 10-11am each day on 19, 20, 23, and 24 November. At Royal Bournemouth, Trish Turton, clinical microbiology nurse, will be touring wards with an antimicrobial message.

No interruptions expected with LIMS update

A routine procedure to switch data circuits has been scheduled on the pathology LIMS at 10am on Tuesday (16 November). We do not anticipate any interruption in service but will enact contingencies if required.

RBH: Lifting operations and equipment inspections (LOLER) for slings in November

Zurich Insurance with be on site for two days (24/25 November) to carry out LOLER inspections on the hoist slings.

Please can all areas check for hoist slings that are not in use and put them in a clear plastic bag and leave them in the sluice ready to be collected and taken to the in-house laundry.

If you have any questions, please contact the moving and handling team on ext 6183.

Steroids – new labels and cards available

Following a National Patient Safety Alert, the Trust has issued steroid cards to be given to patients when prescribed steroids. The cards should be used in line with the new 'Think Steroids' SOP, which can be found on the intranet.

All adult inpatient ward areas should keep a small stock of the cards on the wards to ensure patients are given a card at the point of prescription. They can be ordered on Powergate with the following code: ESTC Emergency Steroid Treatment Card – pack of 100 = £3.28

For all admission areas using the 'Think Steroid' labels in the clerking booklets - please use the following Powergate details to place future orders. Stickers come in batches of 5,000 or 10,000.

Anti-bullying week – what's your one kind word?

Anti-bullying week takes place 15-19th November and it has the theme this year of "One Kind Word". Ask someone, "are you ok"? or "I'm sorry" or just say "hi". In a world that can sometimes feel like it's filled with negativity, one kind word can provide a moment of hope and change someone's day by changing the course of a conversation and breaking a cycle of incivility. One kind word often leads to another and fuels others to also be kind.

Kindness is more important today. Research shows us that if we choose to be kind and create a kinder culture it can improve patient safety. Kindness is anything but random and instead creates trust, and trust reduces burnout. Michael West, in this new video to mark anit-bullying week, reminds us of our work at UHD for a compassionate and inclusive culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eooFKmvcUk.

NHSE/I are also running a number of sessions to understand the importance of choosing civility and respect. These sessions are free to attend https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/compassion-beats-bullying-campaign.

The series comprises:

• 16 November 12:00 - 13:00 - How behaviours can impact on individuals, teams and organisations (click here to register)
• 23 November 12:00 - 13:00 - Support for NHS Staff to Speak (click here to register)
• 30 November 12:00 - 13:00 - The role of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in creating a positive culture (click here to register)

If you are unable to speak to your line manager there are a number of people you can talk to. If you need a chat about a concern, or whether you are a recipient of unkind behaviour or indeed find yourself doing it. These include our FTSU team, our HR and OH departments, governors, and chaplains.

The FTSU team can be contacted at freedomtospeakup@uhd.nhs.uk or extn 4220 (answerphone) or by using our @UHD app.

Start your career in research

The NIHR Clinical Research Network Wessex is holding a webinar on Tuesday (16 November) from 11am-12pm. The session covers how research can be part of various roles within our hospitals, from nursing to midwifery and therapies.

You can book your place here.

Job of the week - risk advisor, health and safety

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a highly motivated, professional and proficient risk advisor for health and safety to join our quality and risk team. The position will mainly be based at Poole but will require cross site cover for our other sites as required.

The health and safety team provides high quality expertise and support to all services and specialities across the trust. The post holder will work closely with internal and external colleagues such as clinical teams, estates, facilities, external contractors and union representatives to support patient and staff safety, incident investigation and risk management processes.

Closing Date 19 November 2021 – click here for more information or to apply.

Free Lighthouse show in Poole on Sunday

Army Girls, Sunday 14 November

Discover the extraordinary story of Britain's wartime female army this Remembrance Sunday. Commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII Conscription for Women, 'Army Girls' author Tessa Dunlop and original gunner girl Grace Taylor celebrate the ATS, an army of women in the Second World War that included Her Majesty the Queen and Winston Churchill's youngest daughter, Mary.

Tickets are free, subject to availability - use the promo code NHSPOPPY.

Your wellbeing weekly

Don't forget to check in with your wellbeing this week and get involved with some of our fantastic offers. There are sessions to help you sleep, exercise classes, posture courses and much more...