Internal capacity incident continues

We remain in an internal capacity incident – please check for updates and information on how you can support colleagues here in the bulletin and in separate operational updates, issued as required.

Our haematology and transfusion laboratories across UHD are currently under significant pressure due to staff shortages. This is likely to impact result turnarounds later on in the day, as the laboratories become increasingly busy. Please send only urgent samples and limit telephone calls to critical results. Thank you for your support and patience.

Mandatory vaccination requirement update

The Government has announced this week that staff now no longer need to have the Covid-19 vaccine as a condition of deployment (employment).

This means that the requirement for unvaccinated staff to have their first dose of the two-part vaccine by 3 February and the second before 1 April no longer applies.

Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and our patients from the virus, and we continue to offer vaccinations for staff. Full details on how to book yours can be found on the occupational health pages of the intranet. Vaccinations for inpatients also continue to be offered – see the story below.

The Government's decision is subject to Parliamentary process and will require further consultation and a vote to be passed into legislation – in the meantime NHS England is advising NHS trusts not to apply the mandatory vaccination requirement, which was made law earlier this year.

PCR? LFT? Not sure...?

We've prepared this simple guide on when to take a lateral flow test and when to use a PCR one. We appreciate that with frequently updating guidance it can be hard to keep on top of the latest requirements, so we hope this simple graphic will help make it clearer.

Don't forget to report your lateral flow tests

It's really important to continue to regularly do your lateral flow tests and report your results online at mytest.uhd.nhs.uk.

You can order lateral flow tests through the government website here.

You can now report your results via a handy link on our staff app. If you don't have the app yet, search under 'a' on the intranet or click here.

Reminder: inpatient Covid-19 vaccinations – referral details

We continue to offer inpatient Covid-19 vaccinations to eligible patients. This will ensure that access to the vaccine is as equitable as possible, and particularly for vulnerable groups. Please note:

• The vaccine available is Pfizer, and doses offered may be the first, second, booster or fourth dose
• Vaccinations will be delivered by a nurse vaccinator once a week in cohorts to ensure every dose in each vial is used
• The programme is targeted predominantly at longer-term inpatients in older people's services, but is available to patients in all specialties.

Referrals may be made by any doctor, advanced nurse practitioner or prescribing pharmacist – please use this form.

Completed forms, or any questions you may have, should be directed to sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (RBH) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Poole).

Please encourage your patients to take advantage of this service. We will review future provision of the vaccine to inpatients following this, ensuring any extension works in harmony with the national vaccine roll out programme.

POOLE: No medical photographer next week

There will be no medical photographer on site next week (7-11 February).

A standby camera will be available for appropriate use, provided by the equipment library.

RBH: Fire drill on the BEACH Building site tomorrow

IHP, our main contractor for the BEACH Building construction, has planned a fire drill on site tomorrow (2 February) at 12pm.

The alarms are being tested across site and the noise will be loud. Please make sure your colleagues, patients and visitors are aware to avoid any misunderstandings when the alarm sounds.

A message from our LGBTQ+ network

This month is LGBT+ history month, and we want to remind everyone about our fantastic LGBTQ+ network. Our network are a friendly, helpful bunch of people lead by deputy chief nursing officer, Matt Hodson. We're striving to make change happen and promote diversity and equality throughout the hospitals, and we're always open to new members.

We want to create a safe space for our LGBTQ+ colleagues to feel supported and heard – a space to connect with colleagues, share stories, have fun, and influence the culture of our hospitals.

Sometimes it can be difficult to help a colleague, friend or family member who may be experiencing difficulties or lifestyle changes based on their gender or sexuality – it can be hard to know the right things to say, or how to help. Our network is open as a listening ear for you too, to give you advice and tools to help you support your loved ones in their lived experience.

If you would like to find out more about the network or you are in need of support please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Make a staff lottery bid to brighten your team's working life

Is there something that you think could benefit the wellbeing of your team or department? Our staff lottery committee is inviting us to bid for lottery funds for items and equipment that will benefit as many of us as possible.

Previously funded items include: items for the pharmacy garden, pictures to improve staff rooms, medical reference books, part support of staff by a physiotherapist and much more.

Lottery bids are solely for the benefit of our colleagues and staff and the bids should be made for resources that are not available for funding through any other route. This is a great opportunity to promote your team or departments wellbeing, and to think of what extra support could really benefit you and your colleagues.

To find out the requirements and policies, and a request form for making a bid please see the staff lottery page on the intranet. We have until 31 March to make our bids.

Leadership apprenticeships available

Are you keen to improve your leadership skills? Leadership apprenticeships are available for staff with a range of experience and in a variety of roles.

See the education and training intranet pages for more information and to apply now for level 3 team leader and level 5 operations manager apprenticeships.

For further information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You don't have to be outdoors to be active

Outdoor activity isn't suitable for everyone, but there are plenty of activities that we can take part in without having to leave our homes.

The option of exercising indoors is particularly useful if we don't have garden space, time to go to the gym or when our unpredictable British weather limits us. Being active from the comfort of our own homes can allow us to feel all the motivational benefits of exercise even on gloomy days.

There are a range of apps and ideas for activities that you can take part in at home on over on our intranet wellbeing pages, such as the Join The Movement campaign from Sport England with resources available for people of all ages and abilities, and free pre-recorded yoga sessions from Park Yoga. A range of local gyms also offer NHS discount – the full list can be found on our wellbeing pages.

Have you checked in with our wellbeing offers this week?

Our weekly wellbeing offers page brings us a range of activities, meetings and group sessions every week to help us boost our wellbeing, connect with colleagues and increase our activity.

This week join the menopause check-in session with senior clinical practitioner and menopause champion at Dorset CCG, Belinda Stokes, take part in rewilding tours in Bere Regis, get involved with mindfulness in life and work courses and much more.

Tune into the Dorset ICS webinar on patient-initiated follow-up

Patient initiated follow up (PIFU) is being used across Dorset to support the delivery of outpatient services. PIFU supports patients with self-management and shared decision making, eases pressures and supports clinicians to deliver the right care, in the right place at the right time.

The Dorset ICS webinar which will provide:

• an overview of PIFU
• national and local context with Dorset's key principles
• spotlights on local progress
• next steps for implementation
• an opportunity to ask questions

Alastair Hutchinson, chief medical director of Dorset County Hospital, is hosting the meeting on Teams on 14 February 9.30-11.30.

For access to the calendar invite please book using this form or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

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

This month the older people's medicine (OPM) Journal Club will be discussing the paper, Decision making capacity assessment for confused patients in a regional hospital: a before and after study.

The group meets in the glass room in the library at Bournemouth, or you can join via Teams. If you would like to come along on 15 February between 1-2pm, or to find out more, email 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..

Last call to all trained TRiM (trauma risk management) practitioners

If you're a TRiM practitioner and would like to continue to provide TRiM let us know by 28 February so we can add you to the new practitioner directory. If we don't hear from you, we will assume you do not wish to remain a practitioner and you will not be included in future training.

We'll be providing all our practitioners with continuing professional development and supervision and the opportunity for some of our practitioners to extend their skills as TRiM managers in training this Spring. Keep an eye on the bulletin for notification of when new intranet pages are live - complete with forms, risk assessments and other useful resources to help you and your teams understand the value of TRiM.

To confirm your details and if you have any questions contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Removing 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.

The latest edition of Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines is now available electronically for all staff

Health Education England have purchased the fourteenth edition of The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry for NHS staff, and it is available for us all to read electronically.

The text is available via the managed bookmarks on Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer, found in the "informational" folder. You can also access the guidelines using your NHS OpenAthens account. If you don't have an OpenAthens account register for one here.

Internal capacity incident continues

Thank you to all the individuals and teams across UHD who are working extremely hard to support our efforts to move out of our current operational pressures. While we remain in an internal capacity incident mode please look out for our regular operational updates sent to staff via email and the intranet front page, as well as items in this bulletin, for the latest position and how you can help.

Covid vaccinations continue ahead of 1 April deadline

If you are yet to have either your first or second vaccination and wish to do so, time is running out to comply with the national 1 April mandatory vaccination deadline for most NHS staff. To allow eight weeks between doses, the first dose must be given before 3 February. Vaccinations are available at both Poole and Royal Bournemouth, with details on the occupational health pages of the intranet, or for appointments away from our hospitals, use the national booking service.

Want more information? Watch the latest briefing, focusing on HR issues and how mandatory vaccinations might affect your role, here, and the first briefing, focusing on efficacy and common concerns, here.

RBH: Can your patient wait away from the ward at discharge?

A trial of a new 'departure lounge' service begins tomorrow for two days on Ward 21 at RBH. The lounge will be open from 9.30am-4.30pm and the team can assist with transferring suitable patients from the wards to the lounge – just bleep the team on 2595. Patients attending the lounge need to be ready to travel and have access to their destination before 5pm. Refreshments will be provided as required.

The lounge is not for patients on stretchers or under the following criteria:

• not medically ready to transfer
• very confused patients who pose a risk to themselves and others
• transfers to another acute setting
• patients who require palliative care

Your feedback on this trial is welcomed – send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Any issues should be raised with the duty manager on bleep 2002.

Discharge Perfect Fortnight: Get to know the discharge standard operating procedure

We're aiming to discharge at least 30 per cent of patients who are medically ready to leave our hospitals by the end of January. Today's theme is 'Discharge standard operating procedure (SOP)'. Please encourage your teams to familiarise themselves with our discharge SOP which includes roles and responsibilities for all healthcare professionals and support services in relation to safe and effective discharge planning.

Want to know more about Discharge Perfect Fortnight? Speak to your ward or department lead and keep an eye on the operational updates and Staff Bulletin.

Hot food in our vending machines

To further improve the hot food available to staff, particularly those working out of hours, a range of tasty new prepared meals from major brands is now available. They can be found in vending machines located in the atrium at Royal Bournemouth, the restaurant 'ramp' in Poole and in the foyer at St Mary's, and can be heated with the adjacent microwave. The vending machines contain a range of meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes.

If you have any suggestions for items the machines could stock, or ideas on how to further improve the availability of hot food to all staff, get in touch with our head of catering operations, Andy Whittingham, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Easy Expenses launches next week

Easy Expenses is UHD's new expenses system and will be live for staff to use from next Tuesday (1 February). If you have previously claimed expenses through our old sel-expenses system you will be receiving an email with details on how to register for our new Easy Expenses system on Tuesday, and if you need to claim expenses for the first time you can register for the new system from Tuesday through a link on the new finance intranet pages. Please note all expense claims should be submitted on a monthly basis.

When you register for Easy Expenses some information will be requested as part of your individual registration process. Our duty of care requires assurances that appropriate car business travel insurance, valid driver's licence, MOT and Vehicle Road Tax is in place.

Any expense claims dated before 1 February 2022 should be submitted via the old sel-expenses system here. These claims must be submitted and approved by 11 February 2022.

RBH: Stroke thrombolysis direct admissions

From 24 January between the hours of 8:30am - 4pm from Monday to Friday, stroke patients receiving thrombolysis will be bypassing ED from the CT department and be admitted directly to the hyper acute stroke unit at RBH.

This will include patients pre-alerted by paramedics and appropriate to be admitted direct to CT once assessed by paramedics and triaged on the emergency phone in ED. All infection risk patients will continue to follow the current process of arriving to ED for an initial assessment as will patients requiring resus due to their clinical need.

Any concerns or for further information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

New version of the personalised care plan for last days of life coming soon on EPR

An updated personalised care plan for patients at the end of life will launch next month.

The document reflects the five elements that support the Butterfly WINGS project which is aimed at promoting dignity, respect and compassion at the end of life:

What matters: sensitive communication with the patient and those important to them

Identify: recognise, understand and anticipate. Is the patient believed to be entering last days of life?

Needs: create an individualised care plan to help patients to be comfortable throughout

Goals: do what matters, step outside the box and facilitate what is important to the patient and family

Support: throughout and including bereavement–ensuring the needs of the patient and family being met, documented and reviewed regularly

Alongside the EPR documents, there is also useful documents on the palliative care pages of the intranet. Over the next few weeks the end of life specialist nurses and practice educators will be visiting wards to support the changes.

To find out more contact:

RBH: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 6021

Poole: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 3152

RBH: broken telemetry boxes

The coronary care unit has experienced a very high number of damaged telemetry boxes on their Philips MX40 units which Philips has said is 'user error'.

The damage is taking place when the batteries are being replaced and the clips to the left of the boxes are being broken and therefore not securing the battery unit in position. Awaiting costly repairs impacts on the number of telemetry units we have available for monitoring of patients.

Reminder about resuscitation training

Refresher resuscitation training has changed.

Staff must watch a 45 minute video and pass the online MCQ assessment otherwise staff will not be able to complete their training.

The two hour session training on basic life support (level 2 resus) training is now spilt into two elements; eLearning and a 30 minute face to face practical session.

Training has not changed at Poole or for new trust inductions and all sessions can be booked via ESR.

Schwartz Rounds Steering Group - Could you be who we're looking for?

The Schwartz Rounds Steering Group are looking for new members to help organise Schwartz Rounds and help Team UHD benefit from a place where staff from all disciplines can discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patient.

Schwartz Rounds can help staff feel more supported in their jobs, to give them the time and space to reflect on their roles which they might not otherwise have in their everyday routines on busy hospital wards. Evidence suggests that when staff feel supported and positive about the care they are offering, this is beneficial for them, the patients, and the organisation as a whole.

If you'd like to find out more about joining the group and what's involved, please visit the Schwartz Round page of the intranet or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thinking outside the box to be active

One of the most important things when it comes to exercise is that we enjoy it - if not, we're more likely to stop doing it. Running, swimming and cycling aren't for everyone, so we wanted to share some alternative and unusual outdoor activities that can help you, and your family, increase your activity levels.

Whether you take up volunteering, have a go at geocaching or take the plunge with some wild swimming – there are plenty of ways you can incorporate wellbeing boosting activity in your daily life.

If you want a healthy dose of life satisfaction with your new-found fitness and wellbeing you could try volunteering with a charity. Not only will you be getting fitter, but you'll be doing something really worthwhile in the process. Take a look at, Dorset Countryside Volunteers, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Brownsea Island Volunteers, GoodGym.

Geocaching is a grown-up treasure hunt - although it's great to do with the kids as well. Use the GPS on your phone or a GPS device to locate hidden treasures, often containing trinkets for you to take and replace with one of your own.

Read more in our beginner's guide to geocaching, and for more information the Geocaching Association of Great Britain is a great place to start.

Encourage the whole family to explore outdoors with Pokemon Go. Pokemon Go is a fantastic way of getting exercise without even realising it as you track and catch the virtual monsters outdoors. If you have children permanently glued to computer games, then this could be the perfect compromise to get them outdoors and exercising.

If you really want to take the plunge immersion in cold water gradually reduces stress levels in everyday life and generates a great sense of wellbeing. There are 14 lifeguard stations on the beach between Sandbanks and Southbourne where you can swim under supervision during the summer months.

Chill is an organisation that offers sea swimming sessions designed for people who have mild or moderate depression and anxiety and the Outdoor Swimming Society will help you learn more about where you can go wild swimming, as well as details about open water swimming events near us.

Dry January – one month of no alcohol

Dry January is the UK's annual challenge that encourages us to abstain from drinking alcohol throughout January. If you are taking part you should now be feeling the health benefits – and if you would like to get involved, why not start your 31 days now?

After one month of no alcohol, your risk of developing certain cancers, including two of the most common worldwide – breast and colorectal – is diminishing. Find out what else is changing on this factsheet here.

If you have any questions about Dry January, or you would like to let us know how you are getting on with the challenge email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Would you like to train to be a registered nurse?

The next opportunity to apply for the registered nurse apprenticeship will be starting on 14 February for three weeks.

This is a three and a half year apprenticeship based at UHD with study days at Bournemouth University and is planned to start in September. Information about the course can be found on the intranet here.

To apply you must meet the entry criteria of level 3 study and evidence of Maths and English qualification at application. Applications are made here.

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

Sign up today for March for Men 2022

March for Men returns to Bournemouth Pier Approach on Sunday 13 March welcoming participants of all ages, abilities and genders to challenge themselves whilst doing something truly amazing! Walk or run 3km, 5km or 10km and raise important funds to support men's health.

Tickets are £15 for adults (16+), £8 for children (under-fives go free). Adults will receive a March for Men t-shirt and everyone taking part will receive a complimentary drink.

Together, we can continue to improve men's health services for every man in our community. Sign up today!

Our Dorset – online menopause support drop-in session

Join the Our Dorset Menopause Support online drop-in session for a drop-in session for an opportunity to share your experiences with menopause. Senior clinical practitioner and menopause champion at Dorset CCG, Belinda Stokes, will also be available to take your questions.

The Teams event is on 3 February 11am-12pm find out how to join here.

Let's talk about prostate cancer

World Cancer Day is on 4 February, and to mark the day, Wessex Cancer Alliance, in partnership with Dorset Race Equality Council and Wessex Voices, is holding an online event, Let's Talk About Prostate Cancer, to raise awareness of the increased risk of prostate cancer in black men. The event will take place from 1-2pm - find out more and book your place here.

Internal capacity incident continues

While we remain in an internal capacity incident mode please continue to look out for our regular operational updates, sent to staff via email and the intranet front page, as well as items in this twice-weekly bulletin, for the latest position and how you can help.

Covid vaccinations – Q&A from latest briefing now available to read

The Q&A session from last week's briefing on mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations (vaccinations as a condition of deployment) is now available to read online. The session focused on some of the employment and HR aspects of the national mandatory vaccination programme.

Time is running out to have your first or second Covid-19 vaccination doses in order to comply with the national 1 April mandatory vaccination deadline for most NHS staff. Vaccinations are available at both Poole and Royal Bournemouth, with details on the occupational health pages of the Poole intranet, or for appointments away from our hospitals, use the national booking service.

Reminder: please don't wear uniform to and from work

If you wear a uniform as part of your work, please make sure that you go home and arrive in non-uniform clothing. The public we care for and other colleagues have reported that that they are seeing colleagues from UHD leaving the trust wearing their uniform, including getting on public transport.

Single PAS is coming – look out for your access details

The new UHD PAS log-ins for users of Poole e-CaMIS are in the process of being sent to department managers for distribution to their teams in order to ensure the correct staff receive their new details ahead of the system going live, due in late May. Managers are being contacted to request a list of their staff that require UHD PAS log-ins. Thank you to those of you who have responded so far in identifying members of your team that require them.

The UHD PAS log-ins will not be active until the UHD e-CaMIS is live so please do not try to log-in with them just yet. There will be further communication sent out as to when the log-ins are activated and can be used.

If you already have an existing log-in for Bournemouth e-CaMIS then you will use that same log-in for the UHD PAS so a new log-in is not required.

Please ensure your colleagues and teams are aware of the coming changes. If anyone would like any further information, the Single PAS Programme team can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Face masks continue to be required in our hospitals – poster available

As the rules on the wearing of face masks for the public have been relaxed, staff are reminded of the continued requirement to wear face masks in our hospitals, and to follow all current infection, prevention and control advice, including on social distancing. This guidance is not changing. Patients and visitors will also need to wear face masks and maintain social distancing when in our hospitals.

Download and print a patient and public-facing poster for your area here.

Trial of extended service desk opening hours

Our IT service desk team will be trialling extended opening hours for eight weeks from 7am-10pm on Monday (31 January) to better support colleagues, particularly those working more flexible hours.

During this trial the service desk will be open with the shortened out of hours service reduced to 10pm-7am.

The helpdesk can be reached in the usual way, via phone Bournemouth ext 4222 or for Poole 2347, and the IT Service Portal.

New training coming to the BEAT VLE

From 1 February, medicines management and falls will be coming to the BEAT VLE.

Medicines management is a brand new e-learning course for both Poole and RBCH, and falls is new for Poole.

Staff that are required to undertaking this training will see an additional line on their BEAT competency page under their 'brain'.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or visit the BEAT intranet page.

POOLE: Employee self-service (ESS) now up and running

Staff are now able to book face-to-face mandatory training via ESS, part of the electronic staff record. ESS allows staff to see which classes are running and how many spaces are left on classes.

Managers who book mandatory training for their teams will be able to use manager self-service (MSS) to enrol staff they directly manage and will also be able to see how many spaces are left on classes to manage team training effectively.

Classes are released on a quarterly basis and classes for April-June have been released this week.

A complete user guide for both ESS and MSS, as well as a user video has been created on the education and training pages of the Poole intranet. A list of classes that staff can use ESS and MSS to book onto can be found here.

If you have any training class queries email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For ESS/MSS system or login queries email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Become a health and wellbeing ambassador

A proactive approach to health and wellbeing has never been more vital to support #TeamUHD.

To support our on-going wellbeing strategy, we are now looking for enthusiastic staff to engage as health and wellbeing ambassadors.

Ambassadors will promote key health and wellbeing initiatives to colleagues within their directorate. Full support will be provided and sign up before 4 March. More details here can be found on the new health and wellbeing pages on the intranet.

New leadership and management development resources

We know everyone is very busy at the moment but we want to make sure our leaders are equipped with the skills to lead their teams and services. The organisational development team have been working on a suite of leadership resources for you to access at any time to help provide you with the basics of being a leader. There are also virtual workshops available to help you enhance your leadership skills.

Please see the leadership and development pages on the intranet to see what is available.

NHS webinars on vaccine concerns

NHS staff with clinical concerns and questions about the Covid-19 vaccination can join new NHS England-hosted Q&A format webinars. You will need to register here for each session, which have different themes or a different staff group focus, but are open to any staff in any role. They are not a forum to discuss mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations or for HR guidance.

• 28 Jan, 10-11am - vaccines and the science
• 29 and 30 Jan, 7-8pm - vaccines and your faith
• 31 Jan, 12-1pm - vaccines for nursing and midwifery staff
• 1 Feb, 1-2pm - vaccines and fertility
• 2 Feb, 12-1pm - vaccines for healthcare students
• 3 Feb, 4-5pm - vaccines and the science

National People Pulse survey – only a few days left to raise your voice

'By taking part we can have our views and concerns listened to. In these difficult times, being able to understand staff views on what works well in the trust's health and wellbeing support and what we could do differently couldn't be more important.'

Cameron Ingham | non-Ionising trainee clinical scientist and staff governor

We have been facing an extremely challenging time and have all been working incredibly hard, which makes it more important than ever for our views on health and wellbeing to be heard.

The quarterly national NHS People Pulse survey is your opportunity to share how you have been feeling, and our opportunity to make changes at UHD and in the wider NHS. Scan the QR code or click here for your chance to have your say.

How to access wellbeing provision for your team

Our UHD staff health and wellbeing offer recognises that we are all individuals with differing needs. Our offer therefore ranges from self-help activities to more specialist and therapeutic support.

In each of these bi-weekly bulletins we have been highlighting what this wellbeing support is, pulling out great "be active" examples as well as explaining more about what our counselling and therapeutic support is.

Alongside this, we have now produced a short 8 minute video to remind us what our health and wellbeing offer is as well as explaining the options available and how to access it. Watch the video here.

Psychological support and counselling

Staying on top of our mental health and wellbeing can be hard as we cope with our busy work schedules and daily life. At UHD we have a huge range of wellbeing support available to us.

The psychological support and counselling service is located in occupational health at UHD. Although part of occupational health, the service is managed separately to ensure confidentiality. This service is here to support staff who are experiencing symptoms of stress or mental health issues. We provide assessment, intervention, referral and signposting to promote the emotional and psychological wellbeing of all staff. A confidential, evidence-based therapy service working with staff individually, or alongside occupational health to ensure you receive the support you need. Our team consists of qualified mental health professionals with specialist experience, expertise and training in supporting NHS staff. This includes: a clinical psychologist; counsellors (BACP); and wellbeing practitioners (MSc Psychology).

Referrals can be made by contacting occupational health.

RBH: new times for clinical and medical essential core skills

Medicines management training will be launching as e-learning from Tuesday (1 February), so the face to face essential core skills programme no longer contains this training. Therefore timings have changed for talks, including bloods which is now at 1.45pm. Staff that are required to undertake this training will see an additional line on their BEAT competency page under their 'brain'.

For the new timetable click here.

Are you a people manager?

There are a range of management courses and learning resources available on our management essentials intranet page. We are currently expanding and developing the options available for you to enhance your skills. We want to hear from our managers about what you need to be better managers and leaders. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have ideas and watch this space for more information as it comes available.

RBH: Anti-embolic stockings training and conversion

Following a successful evaluation, RBCH will be converting from Cardinal TED stockings and URGO preventex to Griffiths and Nielson FITLEGS.

The clinical trainer, Leanne Williams from Griffiths and Nielson, will be in the trust Tuesday (1 February) for two weeks to undertake this conversion and train our clinical staff.

Our Dorset – integrated care system (ICS) update

Behind the scenes lots of work has been progressing on developing our ICS in line with national plans to reform health and care services. In December, Patricia Miller was appointed as NHS Dorset's designate chief executive and will be starting in her new role on Tuesday (1 February).

NHS Dorset will be the new statutory NHS organisation responsible for planning and delivering health and care services. Patricia will be overseeing the creation of the new ICS and will be working with partners on the wider ICS transformation.

A revised target date of 1 July has been agreed for the new arrangements to take effect and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to be legally and operationally established.

Keep up-to-date with Dynamed

The library currently has a three month trial of Dynamed, it combines the most current clinical evidence with guidance from leading experts and a user-friendly, personalised experience to create a cutting-edge clinical decision support tool. We would love it if you could use this tool over the next three months and tell us what you think about it and how it compares to BMJ Best Practice.

To access Dynamed, follow this link and sign in with your NHS OpenAthens account, there is also a short video tutorial you can watch to get you started DynaMed tutorial.

If you have any questions or feedback get in touch via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

POOLE: Risk assessment check for water outlets

Healthy Buildings International will be on site from Monday (31 January) to carry out our bi-annual Legionella risk assessment over the next 10 days. This will involve visiting all areas and checking water outlets, water tanks and boilers.

Two for one tickets from the Regent Centre

Our friends at the Regent Centre in Christchurch have offered us two-for-one tickets to Odyssey, a perfect way to return to the glory days of disco, funk and soul! The offer is valid for the opening night performance on 27 January at 7.30pm.

To book your tickets call the box office on 01202 499199 and quote 'two for one offer' or book online here and enter '241OFFER' in the promo code box.

Covid-19 mandatory vaccinations – catch up on the latest briefing here

Thanks to all staff who attended yesterday's virtual briefing on mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for most NHS staff. The session, hosted by Professor Alyson O'Donnell, chief medical officer, was a great opportunity to hear the latest on how this new legislation might affect staff who choose not to be vaccinated, and to put questions to an expert panel. You can watch a video of the full session here. A transcript of the Q&A part of the session will also be available on the intranet next week. If you'd like to see more about the clinical benefits and science behind the vaccine, the first briefing session in December is still available to watch here.

If you are yet to have either your first or second vaccination and wish to do so, time is running out to comply with the 1 April deadline. To allow eight weeks between doses, the first dose must be given before 3 February. Vaccinations are available at both Poole and Royal Bournemouth, with details on the occupational health pages of the intranet, or for appointments away from our hospitals, use the national booking service.

Covid guidance on the app: LFT, PCR and FAQs

You can now use our staff app to log your lateral flow test result, book a PCR test, arrange a vaccine, and see the latest HR FAQs and self-isolation guidance. Just click the 'Covid-19 tests and FAQs' icon on the homepage of the app and follow the links. You can download the app here.

You can also access these sections here:

Log your lateral flow

Book a PCR

Treatment Escalation Plan (TEP) launched

A new digital TEP form which can be created, viewed and updated through EPR has been developed.

TEP provides clarity in decision making and promotes a culture of thinking ahead. It cues personalised decision making for patients, improving access to certain treatments in specific circumstances. This shared decision making helps patients and clinicians work together to decide on the best treatment options.

The digital form has the benefits of:

• being pan-UHD
• having a clear traceable history of decision making by who and when
• being accessible 24/7 by all with EPR access
• being accessible from different locations other than with the patient (improving decision making and documentation on call).

This quality improvement project has been led by Dr Amy Pharaoh.

You can find more details under "T" on the intranet.

No need to contact IT to reset your Microsoft password

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.

Speech and language therapy referrals

Our speech and language therapy teams across both sites are under significant pressure due to staff shortages.

Please ensure all referrals are appropriate and fully completed – priority will be given to those patients who are nil by mouth without alternative feeding/hydration and referrals which support patients being discharged from our hospitals.

Engaging with our neighbours on RBH's transformation programme

Our chief executive, Debbie Fleming, has written to our RBH site neighbours with an update on the major construction project currently underway.

Debbie's letter includes the first RBH construction newsletter, highlighting the BEACH Building naming and ground-breaking ceremony.

Read the letter and newsletter here, and find out more about our transformation programme here.

RBH: Oasis café closed today

The Oasis café will be closed from today until Monday (24 January) due to staff sickness. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Getting it right - safe use of oxygen cylinders

The oxygen distance learning pack (DLP) must be completed by registered practitioners who are undergoing medicines management as a new competency. It is also recommended as a refresher for staff who have already completed the competency but not the additional DLP.

Oxygen should be considered a high risk medicine which must be prescribed. It should only be administered and connected by registered staff who have been appropriately trained to do so and transferring a patients oxygen supply from piped to portable/cylinder is the responsibility of a registered practitioner.

When setting up an oxygen cylinder for use always ensure that the grey safety tab has been removed and the supply switched on.

Please see the RBCH training package and the Poole training package on the intranets.

Have you raised your voice in the national People Pulse survey?

"This is our collective voice. This is how we can be heard, listened to and understood." Jo Hill-Cousins - PA to pathology managers

With the recent challenges we have all been experiencing it's more important than ever for our views on health and wellbeing to be heard. Together we can create change across UHD, and in the wider NHS.

Take five minutes to share your experiences at work in the National People Pulse survey. By sharing your views, you'll ensure your voice is heard across our organisation and we can act and respond on your concerns and help improve the support that we provide to you.

Click here or scan the QR code to tell us how you feel. When you access the survey, select University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as your organisation.

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

Find out about the support on offer from our integrated care system (ICS)

Our mental health and wellbeing affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with our work and daily life. At UHD we have a huge range of wellbeing support available to us including extra support from the team at Our Dorset.

Our Dorset health and wellbeing service complements and enhances the wellbeing support in place within UHD.

The services, which are on offer to the whole ICS, include emotional support and access to counsellors, and wellbeing physiotherapists as well as virtual sessions, blogs, articles, events and videos on a wide range of wellbeing topics including sleep, parenting, stress, menopause, exercise, relaxation.

We regularly list the latest Our Dorset offers on the UHD health and wellbeing pages, or you can contact Our Dorset directly on their website.

You can also use the Our Dorset wellbeing hub to make a referral for yourself or a colleague for extra support here or by calling 01202 130130.

RBH: Rest space for night staff in Oasis side room

In response to feedback, the side room in the Oasis café will be open as a rest space for night staff from 9.30pm-7am every night.

The room will be accessible using your ID badge.

Hot meals for night shift staff – last chance to give your feedback

Last weekend we trialled hot food for our night shift teams. This trial was part of a larger drive by our wellbeing team to provide a permanent solution to giving our night shift teams a hot meal.

If you would like to give feedback on the trial, please fill out this short survey by Tuesday (25 January).

Improve your feedback skills this year

Our new virtual workshops in feedback skills are a great leadership and management development opportunity for all staff to improve their skills around giving and receiving feedback.

The impact of feedback, both positive and developmental, can be far reaching and has the potential to help us increase our self-awareness, motivation and performance levels.

These workshops will give you the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques and to put them into practice.

Click here to book for a two hour session and if you have any questions email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access your personal radiation dosimetery history

Do you have a personal dosimeter? You can access your own radiation dosimetry history by logging onto the Landauer website:

• www.myldr.com
• Username: Pdoses (for Poole) or Bdoses (for RBCH)
• Password: Badge2021

Once logged on, type in the account number and serial number of your current dosimetry monitor. For security reasons no name or other personally identifiable information will appear on the screen.

We would like to remind staff that we are charged £2.50 for each late or lost dosimeters at £2.50.

If you are issued with a personal dosimeter it is your legal obligation to wear it under the Health and Safety at Work Act section 7b.

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ext. 2650.

Calling all trauma risk management (TRiM) practitioners

We're introducing a revised TRiM incident management process. To do this and to ensure that we can offer support to our practitioners we are creating a directory.

If you're a TRiM practitioner please let us know so that we can confirm your continued participation and add you to the directory, and if you're trained but are unable to commit to providing TRiM please also let us know.

We'll be providing all our practitioners with continuing professional development and supervision and the opportunity for some of our practitioners to extend their skills as TRiM managers. Keep an eye on the bulletin for notification of when new intranet pagee are live - complete with forms, risk assessments and other useful resources to help you and your teams understand the value of TRiM.

To confirm your details and if you have any questions contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Save the date – Poetry session with the LGBT poet laureate Trudy Howson

The LGBTQ+ staff network is delighted to welcome the LGBT poet laureate Trudy Howson to host a poetry session 'An LGBT+ Life: How it was, How it is' for our staff and staff in the wider ICS during LGBT history month.

The session with Trudy will run on 17 February from 1.30-.2.30pm on Teams. Click here to join.

Keep an eye on future bulletins for more from our network as we celebrate LGBT history month in February.

Apply now for virtual consultation training offer from NHS England

Clinicians in the South West in acute and community care settings can access a new training opportunity to enhance skills in delivering video consultations to create the best and safest experience for staff and patients.

CHeck the latest news on the intranet for more information.

Spoofing scam calls from NHS phone numbers

The practice of spoofing is when a communication from an unknown source is disguised as being from a known, trusted source - for example a phone number that belongs to a hospital.

While we've only had one report from a patient of our phone number being used to make one of these calls, other trusts across the UK have experienced the same issue. Our telecoms and counter fraud teams are aware of the call.

We would like to raise awareness of this in case our teams receive reports from any concerned patients or members of the public. We don't want to discourage patients from answering genuine calls from us, but to raise awareness to be cautious if a call doesn't seem quite right.

If you receive a report of one of these calls please send the details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RBH: Window cleaners are on site

Window cleaners are on site until next Friday (28 January) and will be cleaning the interior and exterior windows.

Please make sure that you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your windows while the cleaners are on site.

If you have any problems with the window cleaning please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ext 4454.

Free staff bike maintenance next week

Bike Fixed will be returning next week to offer you a free bike tune up and will be on site at RBH on Tuesday (25 January), Poole on Wednesday (26 January) and XCH on Thursday (27 January).

If you suspect your bike may need replacement parts, Bike Fixed may be able to supply these, but they will incur a charge. If something is spotted which may need to be replaced, you will be advised about this at the time of the service.

A limited number of appointments between 9am-3pm are available on each day.

If you'd like your bike to be serviced, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..