UHD has been part of a recent Public Health England (PHE) study showing past Covid-19 infection provides some immunity for at least five months, but people with this immunity may still carry and transmit the virus.
The first report from PHE’s SIREN study found that antibodies from past Covid-19 infection provide 83% protection against reinfection for at least five months and that reinfections in people with antibodies were rare. However, early evidence also suggests a small number of people with antibodies may still be able to carry and transmit Covid-19 highlighting the need to follow infection prevention guidance.
Sarah Orr, senior cardiac/stroke and diabetes research nurse at UHD, said: “The results of the study show that people could still pass the virus on even if they have tested positive in the past and have antibodies themselves. Although most have immunity, being able to transmit the virus means they could pass it on to friends and family and so it’s essential that people follow the rules and socially distance.
“Over 150 UHD staff are part of this ongoing study. They provide blood and swab samples every two weeks to enable vital research which will provide answers about the transmission of this virus so we can protect ourselves and our patients. Without them it would be very difficult to assess the impact of the vaccine on infection rates among healthcare workers, so a massive thank you to them.”
The SIREN study will continue to assess whether protection may last for longer, and see if people who contracted the disease in the first wave may now be vulnerable to catching it again.
BCP Council have approved our latest plans for developing the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) site.
The permission is a major milestone in the reorganisation and improvement of healthcare facilities in Dorset with the creation of the major emergency care centre at RBH together with Poole Hospital becoming the main centre for planned treatment and care. The RBH proposals include a new six storey, c.25,000 sq.m. building at the front of the hospital site to accommodate emergency, critical care, maternity unit and children’s’ health, a new pathology laboratory (2,600 sq.m.), nursing home (3,000sq.m.), and a new 975 space multi-storey car park.
UHD appointed Savills in March 2019 to advise on all aspects of planning strategy and the delivery of the outline planning permission. Following BCP Council planning committee resolution to grant in July 2020, extensive negotiations with the council have also culminated in a s106 agreement whereby the trust has committed to delivering a comprehensive package of sustainable transport measures. Savills is currently retained by the trust to submit reserved matter and condition discharge applications ready for a start on site in Q2 this year.
Commenting on this news, Richard Renaut, chief strategy and transformation officer said,
“We are delighted to have been able to secure outline planning permission for this complex project.
“These plans form part of the £250m transformation and development plans for our hospital sites and is a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to improve the future provision of healthcare for the whole of the Dorset and surrounding areas.
“We are grateful for the close support of BCP Council, Savills and UHD colleagues and look forward to this important development coming out of the ground in 2021.”
Telephone numbers for dialling Poole, the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals have changed.
Our new numbers begin with the prefix 0300 019. Calls from the hospital to you also begin with our new prefix.
Switchboard numbers remain the same:
If you don't have the new number to hand for the person or department you are trying to reach, but have the old number, just dial 0300 019 and add the last four digits of the old number to the end.
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (UHD) and Bournemouth University (BU) have announced reciprocal senior appointments as the partnership between the two organisations grows.
BU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor John Vinney has been appointed to the UHD Board as an Associate Non-Executive Director, while Dr Ruth Williamson, UHD’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has been appointed to BU’s Senate. Both appointments will begin immediately for an initial two year period.
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust received university hospital status in 2020 in recognition of the depth of research, education and practice that exists between the two organisations.
Professor John Vinney, said, “The partnership between BU and UHD is recognition of the way our organisations have been working together for many years, to the benefit of our staff and students, as well as hospital staff and, crucially, patients. As we continue to work together in research, education and practice, we are as committed as ever to ensuring that best practice is embedded within our organisations to further excellent healthcare provision in the region.”
Dr Ruth Williamson, Consultant Radiologist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at UHD and a Visiting Fellow at BU, said, “I’m looking forward to representing UHD on the BU senate to help shape the strategy of both organisations to collaborate for the benefit of our staff, students, patients and local population.
“Whilst the core business of the NHS is healthcare, a hospital such as ours houses a wide range of clinical and support professions for which there are opportunities to link with BU. Working with partners across the faculties I hope to build on existing relationships to create a range of opportunities for us to learn from and work with each other.”
David Moss, chair of UHD, said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Professor John Vinney to our Board. Both our organisations have complementary ambitions for future development and this will be a great help to further align our plans. We were very proud to receive university hospital status when we merged to form UHD and having this reciprocal arrangement will bring great benefits not only to our organisations but also to our region.”
The university and the hospital have been working together for a number of years, with UHD actively engaged in supporting the learning of BU students through a series of clinical placements for nursing, midwifery and students on allied health courses. In addition, a number of research projects are taking place in fields such as orthopaedics and medical imaging, while BU also provides training and professional development opportunities for UHD staff.
More information about the partnership between BU and UHD can be found at: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/collaborate/university-hospitals-dorset
University Hospitals Dorset urgently requires volunteers to help at our hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting staff in Poole and the Royal Bournemouth Hospitals.
As you may be aware, our hospitals are busier than ever and we are looking for a number of people who are able to give up their time for a few hours a week to help out in a mix of various roles:
Meet and Greet Volunteers – Stationed at the entrances to the hospitals these volunteers greet visitors and staff, ensuring that everybody sanitises their hands and is wearing a mask.
Vaccination Support Volunteers – We are currently very busy vaccinating staff in our hospitals against Covid-19, these volunteers support the vaccine clinics by helping with queue control and social distancing, directing to the correct areas and wiping down and sanitising the waiting areas.
Safety Guardian – A brand new role designed to take the pressure of staff in wards and clinical areas by keeping a watchful eye on the hospital corridors, supporting sanitisation of high touch areas and that any risks or faulty equipment are being swiftly reported.
Volunteers will be required to help for shifts 0800-1100, 1100-1400,1400-1700. You will be allocated to one of the roles above by the voluntary services staff.
None of these roles will require going into any wards or clinical areas or having direct patient contact. There will be patients with COVID-19 in our hospital wards.
You will need to complete this risk assessment to volunteer in our hospital during the pandemic. If your score is 'High' or 'Very high' we unfortunately would not be able to accept you as a volunteer at this time.
Training will be given and you can use your experience to obtain the National Volunteer Certificate details found https://volunteerlearning.community/guiding-volunteers/
If you are interested please email your details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.