Extra capacity for Easter second doses

Our Covid-19 vaccination clinics providing second doses at Poole and the Royal Bournemouth hospitals are now fully operational and protecting hundreds more staff each day.

Further capacity for staff second doses has been opened up on Good Friday and Easter Saturday at the Royal Bournemouth vaccination clinic. Use the online booking system here to book these appointments, or for any of the limited number of remaining slots remain available at other times. If you experience problems with the booking process please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you have yet to have your first vaccination and would like to arrange it, please click here.

Lateral flow tests – restock and remember to upload your results!

Every time you self test for Covid at home using your lateral flow kit, you need to upload your results to our secure web portal – mytest.uhd.nhs.uk. It is really important that we continue to use these tests, even if you have been vaccinated, as they do help prevent the spread of the virus and we are required to report these results nationally.

If you've run out of tests, let your manager know and they will be delivered on the PPE run. For non-clinical areas, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Poole) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (RBCH) when your team needs their second box.

Don't forget, if you test positive on your home device, or if you have any symptoms, you need to self-isolate immediately and get a follow-up PCR test with our swabbing team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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

HealthRoster returning soon

HealthRoster will be live again soon. Before you log back into HealthRoster you will need to clear the cache from your web browser Chrome and Internet Explorer).

Once you have cleared the cache on your internet browser, please restart your computer. The HealthRoster link in the 'managed bookmarks' of your browser and on the intranet will also be updated. Please make sure you use these new links.

It is important you do this before you log back in as you may not be able to see your roster until doing so.

Remembering with ribbons

Our ribbon trees and garden areas are for all of us to use and take time to reflect. You can collect a ribbon from the marquees at RBH and Poole, or the Macmillan Unit and dermatology receptions at Christchurch.

Staff can tie ribbons to our memorial trees:

• Christchurch: on the green in front of Fairmile Grange
• RBH: by the lake
• Poole: on the grass area behind Churchfield House

Poole: Enhanced RACE clinic to be officially opened

The RACE clinic is a same day emergency clinic (SDEC) for older people and has been a key part of the RACE unit since 2015.

The clinic enables older patients to have a holistic assessment and rapid access to diagnostics and treatment on the same day, avoiding the need for an inpatient stay in hospital.

The RACE clinic is led by a team of advanced nurse practitioners, with consultant geriatrician support. The team accept patient referrals directly from both the emergency department and primary care in order to assess older patients with a variety of medical complaints and often complex conditions.

The clinic has recently undergone significant investment and expansion – almost doubling in size to provide four bespoke examination rooms, affording greater privacy and dignity for patients, and new patient facilities – and will be officially opened by a special guest on Monday.

The main clinic room has been furnished with comfortable patient recliner chairs and a television supported through Poole Hospital Charity's Christmas appeal to create a relaxing, calm environment for care and treatment.

It is anticipated that the expansion will enable the team to further increase the number of older patients assessed, contributing to a further decline in avoidable hospital stays while supporting the physical and mental well-being of our older patients.

POOLE: Mandatory training newsletter out now

Over the past few months there have been changes to the mandatory training structure in the trust. This Poole site newsletter provides an overview of changes to training, induction, new courses and much more. Managers are asked to save a copy of the newsletter for future reference.

Schwartz Round panellists

We are looking for panellists to be part of the next Schwartz Round focusing on 'Behaviours in the Workplace - why is the way we are with each other so important?' on 16 April between 1-2pm.

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.

If you are interested in speaking at the event, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

More information about the next Schwartz Round will be released nearer the time.

Thanks to all who 'Asked Aly'

Thank you to all of those who attended the latest (and eventful!) 'Ask Aly' Teams forum on Wednesday. For those of you who could not attend click here to watch via Teams.

The next 'Ask Aly' forum will be on 15 April, 12.30-1.30pm. The link to the Teams event can be found here.

Our new publication needs your help

Our new publication for staff, foundation trust members, volunteers, supporters, our patients, partners and the public, needs a new name – and you can help. The magazine will be issued three times a year, starting later this spring, and will include news and information, views and insight, staff and members news and governor updates.

Your suggestion might be inspired by our diverse people and teams, our joining together as one trust, our east Dorset coastal location, our values... whatever it's inspired by, please send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 31 March together with your reason for putting it forward. We'll put it to a sounding board and the most popular name will adorn the front cover.

Opportunity to join the #TeamUHD culture champions

We have an exciting opportunity for members of staff to join the #TeamUHD culture champions team. We are about to start the next phase of our culture development work and will be concentrating on two pieces of work:

1. Looking at how we thank, reward and recognise our staff when they have demonstrated our trust values and gone 'above and beyond' in their roles
2. Exploring what 'Covid recovery' means to our staff so we can make sure that we have the right support in place in order for them to work effectively.

Supported by the organisational development (OD) team, you will become part of our amazing team of culture champions who are friendly, have a 'can do' attitude and are enthusiastic about making a positive difference in our organisation.

You can download an application form here.

We are looking for a diverse range of clinical and non-clinical staff to join us. Applications are welcomed from any member of staff at #TeamUHD.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 13 April. You can find out more about the role and download the application form here. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further, please contact the organisational development team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Leading teams through change workshops – spaces still available

Are you leading a team through change? Join one of our leadership development workshops to gain some knowledge and tips around leading through times of uncertainty. The workshops are also a great opportunity to network with other leaders across UHD. There are limited spaces left on the 30 March and 15 April workshops. If you would like to book email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Opening secure NHSMail emails

Emails that contain patient or other confidential information must be sent securely. This means extra steps need to be taken to read these emails. NHSMail (@nhs.net) emails use a tool called Egress to secure their emails. To read secure emails from NHSMail users please refer to the accessing encrypted emails guide for non-NHSmail users.

Please be aware that to read these emails you must click on the 'open secure email' blue button and not the attached file.

Below is some additional advice:

1) To open the email click on 'open secure email' (blue button), not the attachment included with the secure email notification.

2) You will need an Egress username and password to view the email. Note, the username will need to be the same as the email account that received the email.

3) If the account that received the email does not have an Egress account created click on the 'new user' option on the Egress authentication screen and follow the instructions, see page 11 of the accessing encrypted emails guide for non-NHSmail users guide for more information.

Accessing secure emails sent to shared email accounts can cause additional issues:

1) Check with your colleagues if an Egress has been created for the shared email account.

2) If you need to create an Egress account for a shared email account ensure all of your colleagues who use that account are aware of the Egress account details including the password.

3) Further to the above point, if you create an Egress account do not use a password that you use for other systems, create one that is unique.

4) If you need to create an Egress account for a shared email account there is a requirement for security questions and answers to be completed as part of the set up process. It is recommended that fictitious answers are used for those security questions and again that information is shared to any colleagues who have access to the shared email account in case they need to reset the account password at a later date.

For more information about sending and receiving secure emails please refer to the guides on the informatics pages of the intranet.

RBH: Domestic abuse advocacy service

Jade Archer joins the Trust from You First to provide a domestic abuse advocacy service within the hospital. Jade will be available to offer support to patients and staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Jade is available Monday- Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm, on 07766 994210 or bleep 2191.

Find out more about Jade's role here.

If you need support out of these hours contact You First 24/7 Dorset's helpline on 0800 032 5204. You can also get out of hours support from the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

For Poole Hospital please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07483 162904

Pro ability staff network informal Teams 'drop in'

The pro ability staff network will be holding an informal 'drop in' on 30 March, 1-2pm for anyone who would like to connect with others especially those working from home and/or shielding.

Click here to join.

Hospital Radio Bedside returns

Hospital Radio Bedside (HRB) will be back up and playing your favourite songs via request from 29 March.

Request shows are broadcast from 8-9.30pm, Monday to Friday, and between 6- 7.30pm on a Sundays.

Click here to see how patients can listen in.

The request show presenters will, throughout the show, ask patients who are listening in to ring in for free to request their favourite song, that HRB will be happy to play.

If any volunteers on your wards can pop round and get requests for us on any day of the week, please email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

HRB presenters can then pick them up in the studios and will play them on that evening's show! Please email at least an hour before the show (7pm weekdays or 5pm on Sundays).

This is how patients can contact HRB's studio.

Job of the week

We are looking for a band 5 staff nurse in the older persons assessment unit (OPAU)

The post holder will:

• provide high standards of individualised nursing care for patients and their families by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care
• recognise and report appropriately any changes in patient's condition and escalate appropriately.
• play an active part in the wards multi-disciplinary patient treatment programme.

Click here to view the full job description and to apply.

To view and apply for all our internal and external vacancies click here.

RBH: Safe spaces

The eye unit seminar room safe space/rest area will close on 6 April to non-eye unit staff due to planned building work. Staff onsite will continue to have access to the committee room as a safe space and the marquee as an additional rest area.

Care first webinars

Care first, our employee assistance programme, is putting on webinars this week and next. The themes are:

• Friday 26 March, 12-12.30pm – Planning for summer holiday
• Monday 29 March, 12-12.30pm – Spring clean your wellbeing
• Tuesday 30 March, 12-12.30pm – Isolation after lockdown
• Wednesday 31 March, 12-12.30pm – How Care first can support you
• Thursday 1 April, 12-12.30pm – Managing pressure

Roadworks

Click here for a list of the current roadworks taking place.

Second dose Covid-19 vaccinations

Our programme of second doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is well underway, with Poole clinics joining those running at the Royal Bournemouth from Tuesday.

A small number of staff who have had their first dose at UHD are yet to book their second dose. Please do so without delay – if you have experienced problems making the booking please try again as extra capacity has been added and improvements made to the IT system.

Make your booking online here.

Please remember to bring you NHS ID and NHS number with you when you attend your appointment.

No further vaccinations are planned to be offered after 16 April - please take this opportunity for easy access to your second dose.

We have been assured that supplies of the Pfizer vaccine will continue as anticipated, and are unaffected by restrictions in the supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine, as widely reported in the media.

REFRESH campaign

Supporting our REFRESH campaign, NHS England and NHS Improvement has created this video as part of a set of resources for the 'Every action counts' campaign, promoting excellence in infection prevention and control. The vide explains from a staff members point of view the importance of maintaining social distancing.

You can find out more about the REFRESH campaign here.

Good infection prevention practice: using ultrasound gel

Contaminated ultrasound gel has been associated with outbreaks of infection in various settings and identified as a potential vector for infection.

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is an important nosocomial pathogen in hospitalised patients. BCC causes infections that include bacteraemia, urinary tract infection, septic arthritis, peritonitis and respiratory tract infection. Due to high intrinsic resistance, these infections can prove very difficult to treat and, in some cases, result in death.

Patients with cystic fibrosis and those with chronic granulomatous disease are predisposed to infection by BCC bacteria. Outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks of BCC septicaemia have been documented in intensive care units, oncology units and renal failure patients.

Please refer to the IPCT guidance here and ensure guidelines are being adhered to. Please highlight any potential risks to your manager and your infection prevention and control team.

SAVE THE DATE: Covid-19 Service of reflection

We will be holding special services of reflection and remembrance across our hospitals next Tuesday 23 March to mark the anniversary of the first Covid lockdown and to remember those who have died.

The simultaneous services at Christchurch, Poole and the Royal Bournemouth will be led by our chaplains and include readings by members of staff as well as the observation of a national minute's silence at noon.

The services start at 11.45am and will be live streamed on our social media channels so you can watch from home or from your department. You can also join the services in person, but please maintain social distancing:

• Christchurch: at the front of Christchurch Hospital near the memorial display
• Poole: on the lawn behind Churchfield House
• RBH: by the lake

Ribbons: At the start of the day, we will hang yellow ribbons on trees and railings to remember our patients who have died. After the minute's silence, colleagues of our staff members who have died will tie a ribbon in their memory, followed by representatives from our wards and Covid areas.

After the service, you will all be invited to tie your own ribbon at any point throughout the week, for your own personal reasons. Ribbons will be available to collect after the services or in the marquees at RBH and Poole, and from the Dermatology and Macmillan Unit receptions at Christchurch.

Purple ribbons will also be dedicated to colleagues who have been shielding throughout the pandemic. If you have been shielding and would like a purple ribbon to be hung on your behalf, please ask a colleague to collect one on the day or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will hang one for you.

FIT testing

All FIT testing dates and times can be found on the intranet. If you would like to book, please call ext. 8474 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. after 5pm and on weekends. If you are unable to make your appointment, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call ext. 8474.

Many staff have not attending their booked appointment and these appointments could have been offered to others on the waiting list

HealthROSTER, EmployeeONLINE and BankSTAFF downtime from Wednesday (17 March)

HealthROSTER, SafeCARE, BankSTAFF and EmployeeONLINE are unavailable until Friday 26 March, we appreciate this is a significant period of time but unfortunately this is an essential requirement and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please ensure you print your rosters off for the period of the 17-28 March (to include contingency for any unforeseen delays in restoring the systems).

For queries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for RBCH or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Poole.

Temporary staffing

Our temporary staffing offices will be operating as usual, and will hold limited daily visibility of live roster data and will be available to support you with your daily staffing needs.

Please provide clear communication of any staffing requirements or changes in a timely manner to avoid issues with rostering and pay.

For queries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for RBCH, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Poole.

Getting our patients 'safely home for Easter'

Thank you for all the hard work and dedicated care you continue to provide our patients. In the lead up to Easter, we value your support to ensure as many patients as possible benefit from being discharged 'safely home for Easter'.

If people can go home safely without support, please encourage them and their representatives to do this at the earliest point. If people need support to leave hospital each of these patients, carers or their family, will your need help in planning ahead. Click here [link] for more information including the key questions that need to be considered as well as the relevant contact details.

If we're going to get a record number of patients safely home for Easter, there are several key questions to which every patient (or carer) should know the answer to:

1. What is going to happen now, later today and tomorrow to get me safely home?
2. What things do I need to be able to do to get home (especially over Easter week)?
3. When should I expect to be going home?
4. What will happen when I get home (especially information and advice when they are home if they are worried or get poorly again)?

If you anticipate a delay in the care required for our patients to return home safely, please consider the following:

1. Can family members support the patient's care needs at home over Easter until the support is in place?
2. If there was existing support (formal or informal) is this set up for the Easter period?
3. Consider all alternatives which might not be ideal but would allow people to safely leave hospital
4. If people need formal care and support to leave hospital you will need to contact the discharge team in the hospital

Your directorate and discharge team will be providing designated support to you across the hospital. If you need any help to progress timely discharge plans over the Easter period then please get in touch with the discharge team (ext. 4321):

Contact numbers for the Easter Weekend:

• Good Friday 08:00-16:00
• Poole – 0300-019-8083 / Mob: 07733404044
• Bournemouth – 0300-019-4321 / Mob: 07436 092160

• Saturday 08:00-16:00
• Bournemouth – 0300-019-4321 / Mob: 07436 092160

• Sunday 08:00-16:00
• Bournemouth – 0300-019-4321 / Mob: 074336091355

• Easter Monday 08:00-16:00
• Poole – 0300-019-8398 / MOB: 07741036244
• Bournemouth – 0300-019-4321/ Mob: 074336091355

Best wishes for Easter and thank you for all your exceptional support during 2021.

- The discharge team

RBH: Car parking changes reminder

Thank you for bearing with us as we settle in the new car parking arrangements. These are essential for the building works. We have worked very hard to find alternatives and welcome further feedback and suggestions as we monitor the changes.

The travel team can help with sustainable travel alternatives, which could help reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and individual health. Further details available from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Key changes to car parking at RBH include:

• Car park A has closed.
• Car park B is for use by blue badge holders only.
• Car park H has closed. Staff will have to make use of other spaces on site, or request a Littledown parking permit from the travel team to park there instead. Please note that these permits are exclusively for 'H' permit holders at this time. We will review levels of usage in the coming weeks.
• 'H' permit holders who have been issued a Littledown parking permit may now park in the demarcated areas for UHD staff at Littledown. As a reminder, Littledown is open between 6am-10pm on weekdays and 8am-6pm on Saturdays. Littledown have agreed a grace period of 15 minutes at closing time to allow staff to return to the site and collect their cars. There is currently no provision for parking at Littledown on Sundays. Therefore H permit holders can park at RBH at weekends and overnight.
• Staff who don't have UHD issued permits, but have taken up the Covid-only period BCP issued permits can still park in Littledown, in the general spaces. We do not know yet when this scheme will end. However the Littledown will be re-opening shortly as a Leisure Centre.
• The occasional car park near the Eye Unit has been closed for staff and the remaining spaces allocated to patients and visitors. If you previously parked here, please make use of the multi storey car park (MSCP) or alternative staff spaces on site.
• New arrangements for occasional car park users will be identified over the next three months. Staff are expected to keep complying with the maximum 12 uses per calendar month limit in place for these permit types.
• The drop-off location near to the main entrance will remain available for drop offs until about September (when the main entrance closes due to the building works). Alternative drop off locations will be made available avoiding the main entrance.
• Consultants working 'on call' whom require urgent access to the back of the Hospital during out of hours / weekends can request a permit from the travel team to make use of designated parking spaces outside the education centre. These are strictly for use between 6.30pm-8am during weekdays, or any time at weekends and a permit must be shown.
• For electric car users the Trust has installed two 13amp sockets in at the back of the multi storey car park ground floor. Staff with electric cars who find themselves short of power may make use of these for a maximum of four hours at any time. Staff may also make use of the adjacent 'electric buggy' charging bays, but these must be vacated by 4.30pm. People who need routine charging can find EV charging points in the local vicinity at this link: https://www.zap-map.com/live/
• Cycling facilities will be improved as a result of the new builds. At RBH the cycle sheds near the main entrance will be moved and over time the number of secure cycle spaces, and changing facilities are set to be increased.

We apologise for the disruption and inconvenience during these construction works. If you have any questions or issues relating to car parking at RBH, please email the travel team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RBCH: Fire extinguisher replacement

Fire extinguishers at RBCH only (for now) are being replaced by one size fits all extinguishers from next Wednesday (24 March).

Where there were previously three fire extinguishers there will now only be one that can be used on all fires. No additional training will be required. If you have any queries contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

POOLE: Resuscitation training

Fifty-eight per cent of Poole Hospital staff are currently up-to-date with their resuscitation training, meaning over 40% are out-of-date.

Completing training is simple:

1. Watch the on-line resuscitation training video - this can be done from anywhere with Internet access
2. Complete this quiz
3. Book onto a half an hour practical session in the resuscitation training room:
   • Check for dates
   • Book a place
4. Once completed your BEAT brain will get a bit greener.

If you have any questions contact the resuscitation department (purple zone – level 1) on ext. 8421 or 2010.

POOLE: Remembering Louise Obern

The therapy services department is sad to announce the death of Louise Obern, physiotherapist, on 10 March.

Lou was part of the respiratory/acute inpatient team for seven years and latterly part of the Dorchester's oncology team.

She bravely fought breast cancer over the last year and had returned to work, enjoying running and raised almost £2,000 for the PINK and STEEL cancer rehabilitation foundation charity which focus on rehabilitation in cancer which Lou was passionate about.

Those who worked with her will remember her for her drive and determination to provide better treatment for her patients, particularly in oncology services; her passion for her job and huge support for her colleagues. Not only was she a colleague but a close friend to many of the therapy staff.

Her funeral will be held on Friday 26 March,12.30pm, in Somerset and will be broadcast live. Please contact Suzie Jupp ext. 2582 or Marcus Ashton ext. 8654 for details if you wish to attend.

Functional skills in English and maths

The vocational educational team at Poole Hospital is delivering functional skills in English and maths, level 1 and 2. If you need these qualifications to support your career development, the team is holding skills scan assessments on 23 March, 1 April, 22 June, 21 September and 14 December. If you would like to attend email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Career development sessions

If you would like some advice regarding your career development, please attend one of our weekly drop-in sessions held in the education centre, Poole Hospital. Dates and times are on the intranet. If you would like to attend contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A heart felt thank you from the Gogolewski family

"My name is Margaret, with my daughter Marta and my sons Bartosz, Dominik and Lukasz we want to say a few words.

We know that words do not express what we feel, but we want to thank everyone, all hospital staff, each person separately; to all who participated in Krzysztof my husband, our dad, grandfather and a friend's funeral.

It was our pleasure and honour to see you all there. What you have done means than the wealth of the world to us.

Krzysztof loved his job and the people he worked with. He loved going to the hospital and spending time with his friends. He valued every person and respected everyone. He loved to joke, but also share stories and banter.

Thanks to you, his memory will never be lost and thank you for being with us and with our 'busy porter Krzysztof'."

BAME Network – join the open forum on 30 April

It has been a year since the first lockdown due to the pandemic.

The UHD BAME Network will hold an open forum on 30 April , 3-4.30pm via Teams, where we can all reflect on what has transpired from March 2020-March 2021.

This is an opportunity for staff to share lived experiences of the pandemic from March 2020 until March this year, when are finally seeing the ray of light at the end of the tunnel.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the Team's link if you would like to join.

Trust email address tick list

Staff have had their new @uhd email address for six months now and should have:

1. updated their email signature
2. advised all contacts of their @uhd email address
3. ensured the new email address is associated with any systems they access or mailing lists to which they belong.

Also... don't forget to call:

All extensions are now prefixed 0300 019 xxxx – where xxxx is the four digit extension number.

All the old direct dial numbers will stop working from 1 April:

• 01202 44 2xxx
• 01202 26 3xxx
• 01202 70 4xxx
• 01202 70 5xxx
• 01202 72 6xxx
• 01202 44 8xxx

The three main numbers below remain unchanged:

• Poole – 01202 665511
• Bournemouth – 01202 303626
• Christchurch – 01202 486361

RBCH: Clinical skills competency forms

Please remember those all-important ticks on the completion notices. Clinical skills has received a large number of forms with ticks missing.

Please ensure the completion notices are fully completed and clear to enable This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to process and award the competencies.

Discounted Morebus tickets

Morebus is offering discounted tickets for UHD staff.

To obtain the discount, you will need to download the 'Clickit2Ride' app, which is available from all major app stores. You must use your UHD email address when creating an account in order to receive discounted fares.

You will need to select the bus company, which will be Morebus. From here you'll need to select your ticket zone, followed by your ticket (i.e. 7-day, 30-day). The discount is available on all tickets above seven days.

After selecting your ticket, your basket will show. It will ask for a promo code, which is 'DHT21YEAR'. You should now see the discount added, and can proceed with purchasing your ticket which will be stored in the wallet of the app. You can then scan your phone under the ticket machine when boarding the bus to travel.

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

OPM Journal Club

The library at RBH will be holding an OPM Journal club on 9 April, 1.30-2.30pm in the library's glass room.

The paper we will be discussing is 'Effects of exercise interventions on the functional status of acutely hospitalised older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis'.

If you would like to come along or join us on Teams contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. There is a limited amount of space for those wishing to join face-to-face.

Attend Anywhere drop-in sessions

Based on your feedback, the outpatients transformation team is pleased to offer a series of virtual drop in sessions on Teams.

These will be informal sessions to support you with any queries regarding the use of the Attend Anywhere platform.

One or more of the team will be available to address any queries you may have eg

• set-up and accessing your waiting area
• troubleshooting
• sharing your screen
• adding multiple users to a call

If you have any queries contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or book your place here.

Care first webinars

Care first, our employee assistance programme, is putting on webinars this week and next. The themes are:

• Friday 19 March, 12-12.30pm – Sleep anxiety for World Sleep Day
• Monday 22 March, 12-12.30pm – World Happiness Day
• Tuesday 23 March, 12-12.30pm – Stress and finding ways through it
• Wednesday 24 March, 12-12.30pm – Separation anxiety
• Thursday 25 March, 12-12.30pm – How Care first can support you
• Friday 26 March, 12-12.30pm – Planning for summer holiday

Health and wellbeing online sessions

During these challenging times, supporting your health and wellbeing is more important than ever before. The South West Health and Wellbeing Team have developed sessions for colleagues in the South West to support wellbeing, which has been entitled 'Time for You' (T4U). Click here to see the online classes available.

April Flix Drive In discount

Flix Drive In is back this April screening this year's biggest new film releases and is offering staff a 20% discount.

April's drive-ins will take place from 13-18 April, Bournemouth Events Field, Bournemouth Airport, Parley Lane, Christchurch, Bournemouth Dorset, BH23 6SE

The drive-ins combine some of this year's brand new, anticipated blockbuster releases with street food, live DJ's sets and outstanding entertainment. Their Dorset location is one of the select few places chosen in the UK to exclusively show nine of these big film releases all taking place from the safety of your very own car!

Twenty per cent off tickets for NHS staff. Quote NHS20 when you book at www.flixdrivein.co.uk

Terms and conditions

A 6.5% booking fee is applicable. A Covid refund guarantee means you will be issued a refund should the event be cancelled due to Covid-19.

Roadworks

Click here for a list of the current roadworks taking place.

TODAY: Covid-19 Services of reflection

We will be holding special services of reflection and remembrance across our hospitals from 11.45am today, Tuesday 23 March, to mark the anniversary of the first Covid lockdown and to remember those who have died. Our chief executive, Debbie Fleming, explains in this video that it is hoped this opportunity to pause and reflect will help us all in moving forward.

The simultaneous services at Christchurch, Poole and the Royal Bournemouth hospitals will be led by our chaplains and include the observation of a national minute's silence at 12pm.

Yellow ribbons have been tied to trees to remember our patients who have died, and after the service - and throughout the week - you are invited to tie your own ribbon for your own personal reasons.

You are welcome to join the services, but please maintain social distancing.

• Christchurch: At the front of Christchurch Hospital near the war memorial
• Poole: on the lawn behind Churchfield House
• RBH: by the lake

Alternatively, you can tune into the services as we stream them live on our social media channels, and you can download the order of service here.

• Christchurch: UHD Instagram
• Poole: UHD Facebook
• RBH: UHD Twitter

Ribbons will be available to collect after the services or in the marquees at RBH and Poole, and from the dermatology and Macmillan Unit receptions at Christchurch.

Purple ribbons will also be dedicated to colleagues who have been shielding throughout the pandemic. If you have been shielding and would like a purple ribbon to be hung on your behalf, please ask a colleague to collect one on the day or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Second dose vaccinations begin at Poole today

Second dose vaccinations begin at Poole today, joining those already running at Royal Bournemouth.

It is important that you turn up for your appointment at the scheduled time and not too early in order for the clinic to run smoothly.

Please remember to bring you NHS ID and NHS number with you when you attend your appointment.

A small number of staff who have had their first dose at UHD are yet to book their second - make your booking as soon as possible online here.

No further vaccinations are planned to be offered after 16 April - please take this opportunity for easy access to your second dose.

Use the right number for Covid-19 swabbing and screening

Covid-19 co-ordinators RBH site

The Covid-19 co-ordinators bleep for RBH is 2911 (eg 701 2911 plus your extension).

Extention 2911 is an actual extension in Poole Hospital and staff have reported numerous calls relating to swabbing and vaccination services. Please bleep correctly to prevent interrupting staff at Poole Hospital.

Fast swabs available in RBH and Poole Hospital emergency admissions

ED, AMU and older persons/frailty units should default to GeneXpert swabs during the day when the Samba suite swabs start to queue. This will reduce a backlog/delay in the suite and assist patient flow through ED.

See the flow chart in action card 3A for other emergency areas that are to routinely default to GeneXpert during working hours. Samba swabs in out of hours: after 7pm daily in Poole, and Monday-Friday in RBH with a 2.30pm cut off at weekends.

All agreed areas have access to the Microsoft Teams Excel referral file. Samba staff should highlight queuing in yellow. You need to act quickly to request a GeneXpert swab via the co-ordinator. The co-ordinator will upload your GeneXpert referrals.

Referral to the service:

Areas outside of the above emergency admission units should always bleep the co-ordinator before taking any swabs. Do not take a swab sample without the authorisation.

Some members of staff have been bleeping the co-ordinator after taking a swab, which is not correct for the platform available for analysis. This will lead to another swab needing to be performed which causes delays.

Returning shielding staff - manager guidance

Over the coming week members of staff who have been assessed as clinically extremely vulnerable will be receiving a communication from the Department of Health and Social Care advising them that from 1 April they can stop shielding and begin to follow the same national restrictions alongside the rest of the population. This means many will be returning to the workplace, although where possible, they should continue to work from home.

This decision is in recognition that a combination of both vaccinations and/or lower rates of Covid-19 are likely to reduce the risk to a level whereby shielding staff are able to be invited back into the workplace with relevant and adequate safety measures in place.

It is anticipated that this group of staff is likely to have received their first and second vaccines. Any staff raising concerns relating to this, should be asked to liaise with their GP or consultant for further advice. Should there be a medical decision for them not to return to work a fit note (medical certificate) will be required. This should then be recorded on ESR in the usual way.

HR has contacted managers who currently have staff shielding by email and asked them to make contact with their members of staff at the earliest opportunity to discuss the plan for their return to work and make appropriate advance arrangements. This will include completing a check list and new risk assessment form, both of which were sent with the email; also agreeing annual leave and any necessary adjustments to their role. When contacting staff please draw their attention to the on-line support session on 25 March at 1pm and encourage them to attend. Details of this session have already been sent by email to all shielding staff.

Please contact HR on ext. 4804 if you have any queries regarding shielding staff returning to the workplace.

All-staff briefing with our chair and chief executive

The next all-staff briefing will be held on Wednesday 21 April, 1.30-2.30pm. David Moss, our chairman, and Debbie Fleming, our chief executive, as well as fellow executives will provide the latest on managing the Covid-19 pandemic, an operational update and future development plans. Please join us if you can, or a recording of the briefing will be available afterwards on our intranet. The Teams link to the session will be shared shortly.

Reminder: HealthROSTER, EmployeeONLINE and BankSTAFF unavailable

HealthROSTER, SafeCARE, BankSTAFF and EmployeeONLINE is unavailable until Friday 26 March due to for planned upgrades.

For queries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for RBCH or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Poole.

Temporary staffing

Our temporary staffing offices will be operating as usual, and will hold limited daily visibility of live roster data and will be available to support you with your daily staffing needs.

Please provide clear communication of any staffing requirements or changes in a timely manner to avoid issues with rostering and pay.

For queries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for RBCH, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Poole.

We apologise for any inconvenience this downtime may cause.

Ask Aly...

The next 'Ask Aly' event with our chief medical officer, Dr Alyson O'Donnell, will be tomorrow (24 March), 12-1pm. It's a great opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns and share your views. Do you have a question about Covid-19 vaccines or the staff vaccination programme? You can join the meeting here and if you'd like to send any questions in an advance, pop them through to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can ask on your behalf.

Home First support services - information for front line staff

Home First is all about helping people out of hospital to recover in the community, as well as supporting them to stay well at home and avoid going into hospital at all. This work isn't just down to health and social care teams. There are a host of council, voluntary and community services across the Dorset and BCP areas that we can draw on to support hospital discharge and admission avoidance work.

The pan-Dorset Home First team have created this document which provides contact details/links and basic information about what each organisation offers.

POOLE: New information boards erected

Look out for two large information boards on the Poole site showcasing the future developments for the hospital. The posters were unveiled by Jackie Coles, deputy chief operating officer together with Stuart Mondon, capital projects manager, Stuart Dixon from IHP (principal contractor), as well as Eren Husseyin, from our pathology team who's featured in the design. You can read more about our plans here.

UHD Datix system to go live

The trust's Datix system will be active from 1 April.

There will be no change to the process of submitting incident or LERN forms, and the links to the system on the intranet will be updated. (You may need to update your own saved favourites).

In most cases, staff with a user log in will have the same username and access details. If you have not yet accessed the UHD system you will need to create a first password. From the Datix login screen enter your usual username, then ignoring 'password' press the grey 'log in' button where you set your own first password.

If you require assistance email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call ext. 4014.

Upgrade to Microsoft Edge

IT is deploying an update to Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 PCs and laptops. This is due to the current version installed no longer being supported by Microsoft. There will be no changes to other installed internet browsers e.g. Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.

If you have issues accessing websites using the new version of Edge please try an alternative browser and if the issues persist then please contact the IT service desk.

RBH: Fond farewell for Cheryll

Cheryll Macdonald from the RBCH clinical audit team is retiring at the end of March after 19 years of dedicated service in the team.

"Cheryll has been a hugely popular, hard-working and well-respected member of our team. She will be greatly missed, and I would like to pay tribute to the amazing job she has done over the years," said Craig Murray, clinical effectiveness manager

If you would like to send Cheryll a message, please get in touch via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

IV administration of medicines: what references do you use?

We are running a short online survey (no more than four minutes), aimed at anyone who administers IV medication.

This survey will help us understand what drug-specific information sources are most commonly used, and if there are any barriers to using particular resources. We will use the information to support delivery of up-to-date information in the future for all UHD staff, so everyone's input will be valuable.

If you have any questions, contact medicines information (ext. 4098) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Freedom to speak up training

'Speak up, listen up, follow up' is a new e-learning package co-produced by the National Guardian Office and Health Education England. It is aimed at anyone who works in healthcare. It is divided into modules and explains in a clear and consistent way what 'speaking up' is and its importance in creating an environment in which people are supported to deliver their best.

Module 1: Freedom to speak up: Speak up - This is core training aimed at all workers including volunteers, students and those in training. Its aim is to help everyone working in health care to understand what speaking up is, how to speak up and what to expect when they do speak up. It involves watching short, animated videos, optional reflections and a small quiz at the end. It takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Module 2: Freedom to speak up: Listen Up - This training is for all line and middle managers and is focussed more on listening up and the barriers that can get in the way of speaking up. This module includes topics such as fostering a speak up, and a listen up culture, supporting speaking up and listening well, perceptions of yourself and others, understanding conflicts of interest and welcoming feedback as a gift. It takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Both courses can be accessed via the BEAT VLE. Go to 'Find eLearning' on the VLE homepage and search for 'Speak Up' or 'Listen Up'. Once you've registered it will appear on your heart page. Poole staff, who do not currently have the heart set up on the VLE, will see this as a new tab next to their 'brain'.

NHS pension update on government changes to public service pension schemes

The court of appeal ruling on the 'protection' given to members within 10 years of their normal retirement age was found to be discriminatory, known as the McCloud judgement. The period that was protected between 1 April 2015-31 March 2022 to remain in the current pension scheme is being removed. NHS pensions has published an article for members with FAQs to try to answer commonly asked questions.

The full article can be read here. No further information is available in the pensions department at this time.

British Indian Nurse Association

Deepa Pappu, Clinical Nurse Educator, will be delivering a virtual British Indian Nurse Association (BINA) career progression session on OSCE support on 27 March, 4.30pm. BINA has recently launched and provides support for our BAME network.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting (meeting ID: 848 1407 3603 / passcode: 029105).

Click here to see how BINA can support and help you with any issues or questions you may have or click here to visit the BINA website.

If you have any questions about BINA contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Congratulations to Mr Heath Taylor, new President of BOFAS

Mr Heath Taylor, orthopaedic consultant, has now begun his term as president of The British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS). Heath has been a member of the BOFAS council for the last seven years and this role is recognition for his hard work for the society. He now sits on several national working groups and at the end of his presidency, will host the annual scientific meeting, attended by over 500 orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons at the Bournemouth International Centre in March 2022.

Job of the week

We are looking for a band 5 corporate governance manager (committee and membership).

The post holder will assist the company secretary in the development and implementation of the Trust's membership strategy and play a role in the link between members and the Trust. The post holder will act as the central point of contact for the provision of information to existing and prospective foundation trust members, within the public and staff constituencies.

Internal candidates can apply for this position on a 6six month secondment basis. Click here to view the full job description and to apply.

To view and apply for all our internal and external vacancies click here.

#RidesForHeroes: Free Beryl bike and e-scooter minutes for UHD staff

To help support key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Arts University Bournemouth and Bournemouth University have generously donated a package of 200 minutes free riding on Beryl bikes and Beryl e-scooters for up to 400 UHD staff. This is valid for all bay-to-bay rides in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.

To sign up and claim your free minutes, simply download the Beryl app on your smartphone, register with your UHD email address and use the code BCPNHS0221. The first 400 registrants will be able to claim their free minutes.

HSJ Awards: UHD shortlisted as 'speak up' organisation of the year

We are proud to celebrate our success for being shortlisted for the HSJ Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Organisation of the year. Our submission, led by Helen Martin, Professor Vassallo and Dr Mohammed Elmasry, celebrated the development of our International Medical Graduate (IMGs) programme.

This programme was set up following FTSU feedback that some IMGs were experiencing bullying, discrimination or exploitation, resulting in a loss of confidence, loneliness and helplessness.

The programme aimed to improve equal opportunity by reducing differential attainment and by developing a supportive culture required to achieve this. The programme promotes a network for peer support mentoring, a forum supported by our FTSU team to facilitate speaking up, as well as offering leadership and teaching opportunities. All these steps have helped to mitigate culture shock, social isolation, restoring confidence, career choices as well as supporting health and well-being. The video from Shilpa was a powerful staff story that was integral to this work.

The awards ceremony happened last Wednesday evening, and whilst the winner went to the work at Leeds Community Healthcare Trust, we are proud of this work and how it will support our culture going forward.

Are you concerned about fraud?

Our counter fraud team are here to help staff with anything they may feel is fraudulent.

They recently received a received a referral from UHD alleging that an HCA fraudulently removed a patient's bank card from their possession whilst they were undergoing palliative care and subsequently used it to make purchases and withdrawals totalling £17,250.00.

Click here to see how our counter fraud specialists investigated and how to contact them.

Care first webinars

Care first, our employee assistance programme, is putting on webinars this week and next. The themes are:

• Tuesday 23 March, 12-12.30pm – Stress and finding ways through it
• Wednesday 24 March, 12-12.30pm – Separation anxiety
• Thursday 25 March, 12-12.30pm – How Care first can support you
• Friday 26 March, 12-12.30pm – Planning for summer holiday
• Monday 29 March, 12-12.30pm – Spring clean your wellbeing
• Tuesday 30 March, 12-12.30pm – Isolation after lockdown
• Wednesday 31 March, 12-12.30pm – How Care first can support you
• Thursday 1 April, 12-12.30pm – Managing pressure

Roadworks

Click here for a list of the current roadworks taking place.

Second dose Covid-19 vaccinations start today

Second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination for UHD staff begin today.

Starting at the Royal Bournemouth this week, vaccinations will also be offered from Poole Hospital from next week.

You may still make a booking for either site if you have had your first dose of the two-dose Pfizer vaccination with us already. Click here to make your booking.

The second dose is required in order for staff to derive maximum protection from the vaccine, which is given in two stages.

There are a small number of staff who have not yet had a first dose of any available Covid-19 vaccination. If you wish to do so now, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details on how this can be arranged this.

We're running a simple online survey for staff to help us understand why some are reluctant to have the vaccination. You can find the survey as a pop-up window when you launch either the Poole or Royal Bournemouth intranets, or through this link. We'll share the results with you next week.

HealthROSTER, EmployeeONLINE and BankSTAFF downtime from Wednesday (17 March)

HealthROSTER, SafeCARE, BankSTAFF and EmployeeONLINE will be unavailable from Wednesday 17 March until Friday 26 March, we appreciate this is a significant period of time but unfortunately this is an essential requirement and we apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please ensure you print your rosters off for the period of the 17-28 March (to include contingency for any unforeseen delays in restoring the systems).

For queries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for RBCH or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Poole.

Temporary staffing

Our temporary staffing offices will be operating as usual, and will hold limited daily visibility of live roster data and will be available to support you with your daily staffing needs.

Please provide clear communication of any staffing requirements or changes in a timely manner to avoid issues with rostering and pay.

For queries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for RBCH, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Poole.

Ask Aly...

The next 'Ask Aly' event with our chief medical officer, Dr Alyson O'Donnell, will be on Wednesday 24 March, 12-1pm. It's a great opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns and share your views. You can join the meeting here and if you'd like to send any questions in an advance, pop them through to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can ask on your behalf.

Health and wellbeing day – managers guidance

In light of the extraordinary efforts made by staff throughout the pandemic the trust board has approved the provision of a "wellbeing day" for every substantive employee of the trust.

This additional day away from work is provided to allow employees to take the time to do something that will support their health and wellbeing as a "thank you" for each individual's contribution to the Covid-19 response.

Managers will need to be aware of the following in allocating this wellbeing day:

• All substantive employees, regardless of whether they have been shielding, working from home, absent due to sickness, maternity leave or for any other reason will be entitled to this day off work on full pay. This includes substantive employees on fixed term contracts who were employed on 25 February 2021.
• We acknowledge the essential contribution made by our Bank Staff throughout this period and by now all should have received their vouchers and values goodies. Many of our Bank staff also have substantive contracts and so will qualify for the Wellbeing day.
• However, due to the way the bank operates with flexibility and choice of when to be in work, bank only staff are not eligible for the wellbeing day. However (as always is the case) we would be happy to explore how they can join the permanent workforce if this is attractive to them.
• The day off will be a full day for each employee regardless of the number of hours that they work in that day (for example if a shift is 7.5 hours, 12 hours or 5 hours long this is the amount of time that the employee will take off).
• The day can be taken any time between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 with the agreement of the manager. Consideration will need to be made with regard to staffing levels in each department to ensure that adequate cover is available.
• Staff who leave the trust before 31 March 2022 will need to take their wellbeing day prior to them leaving the trust. Any employee joining after 25 February 2021 will not be eligible for a wellbeing day.
• To book their wellbeing day, staff should contact their line manager directly, giving the relevant notice for any rosters or shift patterns to be covered.
• Line managers should use their discretion about when staff can take their day, and how many staff can be released at one time.
• On Health Roster, one day has been attached to each substantive employee as a wellbeing day option to be taken before 31 March 2022.
• For any non-rostered areas, line managers should record the day in ESR using "Special Increasing Bal- Other".

POOLE: Underpass closure

The underpass for deliveries will be closed from Saturday 20 March, 3pm until Monday 22 March, 6am to all traffic. This is to allow for essential works associated with the new theatres build. Standard regular weekend deliveries have been rearranged and notified. Please advise of any ad-hoc deliveries. Contact Stuart Mondon in estates on ext. 8036 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries.

CHRISTCHURCH: Electricity and gas supply work

Works to install electricity and gas supplies form the main plant room at Christchurch plus a small amount of demolition works in preparation for start on the new Macmillan caring locally unit have begun.

These will be mainly in the grass area at the back of the current unit and within the delivery area. Works will affect some pathways at times. We will also be using six car park spaces at the front of the old day hospital. We ask that staff and visitors do not use these during the works (they will be cordoned off). We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Radiology ICE ordercomms

At the end of March 2020 the ICE ordercomms for radiology was introduced at RBH at relatively short notice to help support the Covid response within the trust, by reducing paper trails, reducing the need to physically relay referrals to the radiology department, maintain social distancing, to mitigate against potentially reduced numbers of available staff because of illness and improve efficiency of the referral process to help manage potentially large numbers of unwell patients.

In response to concerns, at that time, that there had not been opportunity for training on ICE, the usual referral permissions for complex examinations (CT/MRI/PET) were temporarily relaxed such that a broader group of medical and non-medical referrers could request imaging tests. There are forthcoming changes to these permissions.

As part of the unified approach in UHD radiology there are a number of planned infrastructure changes to provide a uniform service across the sites. The Radiology Information Systems (RIS) are currently separate for RBH and Poole. On 9 March, a single unified RIS, functioning across all UHD sites was launched. Tied in with this, referral permissions for medical and non-medical referrers across the trust will be aligned but this will not occur until 1 April 2021. We will be returning to the original ICE roll out plan and pre Covid arrangements. Consultants, SpRs, middle grade doctors and already designated non-medical referrer (eg nurses on acute stroke team) only will be able to request complex imaging (CT/MRI/PET).

In the out of hours setting, when immediate imaging is required but the senior decision maker is unavailable to attend (eg operating in Theatres), there is scope for the junior doctors to 'validate' the request on ICE such that the request will be progressed. These thresholds are already in place at Poole and no changes to the current referrer arrangements at PGH and allied sites are needed.

The most recent Covid wave is slowly passing and the vaccination program has resulted in a major proportion of healthcare workers having received at least their first dose. It had been the intention to make these changes in January 2021, but it was not felt appropriate to undertake these developments at the height on the wave of Covid affecting the trust, at that time.

There will be additional communication via global email and direct communication on the ICE platform for users.

Contact Andy Pope, clinical director radiology (RBH site), at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on ext. 6125 for more information.

RBH: Overnight toilet facilities

For relatives staying with patients overnight, namely end of life care, who are not permitted to use the toilets on wards due to infection control restrictions, one set of toilets is left open overnight in the hospital. These are the ones in the Atrium, opposite the charity shop and the disabled toilet adjacent to them.

Job of the week

We are looking for a band 3 elective admissions officer.

The main responsibilities of the role are to provide an efficient and effective admission service to all patients undergoing elective in-patient and day surgery procedures, adhering to National and Trust waiting times and Admission Policies; and to provide a high standard of administrative support to the consultant and his/her team, interacting with other departments, general practitioners and patients as required.

Click here to view the full job description and to apply.

To view and apply for all our internal and external vacancies click here.

Film highlights supporting roles during Covid-19

During the Covid-19 pandemic colleagues across our trust have pulled together through the hard times we have all faced.

Some members of staff were able to experience different roles to that which they perform on a day-to-day basis.

Podfilms, which makes TV documentaries, online content and promos, has been following some of these members of staff including surgeons at RBH who have been doing the tea rounds for patients. Click here to watch the video.

Staff sickness fraud

This financial year, our counter fraud specialists have investigated 62 working whilst sick cases across their client base.

When you are off sick from the Trust, you are not able to undertake any work for yourself, or any other employers.

If you are unclear on the terms of sickness absence, speak with your line manager or HR.

If you are concerned about another member of staff undertaking work whilst off sick from the Trust, contact our counter fraud specialists at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Your report will always be in confidence.

Young Carers Action Day

Young Carers Action Day, supported by the Carers Trust, is taking place today (16 March).

A young carer is someone under 18 and a young adult carer is aged 16 to 25. They help support and look after a family member or a friend due to illness, frailty, disability, mental health difficulties or problems with addiction.

UHD supports young carers and is here to listen, help and offer advice. For further information and support please contact Karen Uphill, carer support adviser, on ext. 8714 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Click here to read more and see a list of young carer support organisations.

World Sleep Day online session

Dorset HealthCare is holding a practical 'top tips for sleep' session on Teams. It will take place on Friday (19 March), 12.30-1pm. There will be time for questions after the event. Click here to join.

Care first webinars

Care first, our employee assistance programme, is putting on webinars this week and next. The themes are:

• Tuesday 16 March, 12-12.30pm – Tips for nutrition and hydration
• Wednesday 17 March, 12-12.30pm – How Care first has supported through a year of Covid-19
• Thursday 18 March, 12-12.30pm – Lifting of lockdown anxiety
• Friday 19 March, 12-12.30pm – Sleep anxiety for World Sleep Day
• Monday 22 March, 12-12.30pm – World Happiness Day
• Tuesday 23 March, 12-12.30pm – Stress and finding ways through it
• Wednesday 24 March, 12-12.30pm – Separation anxiety
• Thursday 25 March, 12-12.30pm – How Care first can support you
• Friday 26 March, 12-12.30pm – Planning for summer holiday

Staff discounts

Various discounts are available to staff on car repairs, insurance, sport and fitness, shopping and much more. And from 12 April, the Stock Shop in Poole Hospital will be reopening offering staff a 20% discount. Please check the intranet to see all offers.

Roadworks

Click here for a list of the current roadworks taking place.