Operational pressures across UHD – how you can help

We recognise that many areas are under sustained pressure and are grateful for all the great teamwork supporting the care of our patients

Demand for urgent and emergency care remains extremely high across our sites, but this is more than just a challenge for the emergency department. In order to support the emergency department and assessment units we need to work together to ensure that any patients who no longer require hospital care are discharged as soon as possible.

Our partners are working hard to support us with discharges with increasing numbers of more complex discharges leaving hospital. Work to create capacity in community hospitals has been successful and we are seeing more capacity available.

Some things that all wards and departments can do now to support our patient flow:

• Ensure patients who are ready for discharge have everything in place that they need e.g. discharge medications
• Placements in community hospitals are coming through regularly, please make sure patients referred to these have in-date swabs
• Ensure early medical review of any patients who may be medically fit for discharge. Wards/departments should highlight these to their medical teams
• Ensure referrals for on-going care and support are proportionate to the patients needs, discuss with the discharge teams if there may be alternatives for patients not requiring large packages of care
• Consider if patients with packages of care starting tomorrow can be supported by family to be discharged today
• Ensure transport is booked as soon as a discharge is identified, it is easier to amend or cancel than it is to fulfil late in the day
• Ensure Health of the Ward is always kept up to date with planned discharge dates

Reminder: UHD Covid-19 booster clinics close soon

If you haven't booked your Covid-19 booster yet, and would like it with UHD, please don't delay your booking as our weekend winter wellness clinics will end on 7 November.

If you have already made an appointment that falls after this date, please go to the online booking portal and cancel and rebook your appointment for sooner, if possible. There are currently appointments available at Poole on 30-31 October, and Royal Bournemouth on 6-7 November.

If you are unable to rebook, eg because it has not been six months between your second vaccination and the booster, or because you are not 28 days clear after a Covid-19 infection, don't worry. Just follow the instructions on the NHS website here. You may not be able to make your booking on the national system until six months after your second initial dose.

The NHS App: please note that the NHS app does not currently show booster vaccinations. This will not affect your NHS Covid Pass, available from the app.

Flu jabs: dedicated weekday drop-in flu clinics for staff who wish to have their vaccinations separately, or who do not want to have a Covid-19 booster, are underway, including new clinics at Christchurch – for full details see the intranet under latest news.

RBH: Advanced notice of roadworks starting on Deansleigh Road next week

As part of the construction work on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site there will be extensive roadworks on the Deansleigh Road roundabout, outside the Village Hotel.

The preparations start next week (w/c 25 October) with the overall project lasting for five weeks, resulting in potentially significant traffic issues. While this disruption is ongoing, please give yourself more time for your journey and consider using public transport or car sharing if possible.

We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your co-operation during this time.

Visit our Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) teams today

It's IPC week and our teams will be holding displays in the dome at Poole Hospital and atrium RBH today from 11am-2.30pm.

They will be showcasing a quality improvement project commencing on two wards across both sites in November and providing information about becoming an IPC champion. The fit test team will also be on hand to answer questions relating to changes in guidance for FFP3 respirators.

Come and chat or leave a question in the box on our stands.

Finalise your bank time sheets on time to avoid delayed payments

All worked bank duties must be finalised by 8am every Wednesday. If you have any queries or need support with bank duty finalisation you should call the temporary staffing office by 3pm on the Tuesday before finalisation is due.

Any duties not finalised by this deadline may not be included in the weekly submission and may result in a delayed payment to you.

Please ensure your department has a suitable contingency plan in the instance of annual leave and unexpected absences to ensure time sheets are filed on time.

If you have any questions please contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ext 4219 for RBH
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ext 2183 for Poole.

RBH: A new way to reach the pharmacy team at weekends and bank holidays

From November wards needing to reach the pharmacy team should send an email to the pharmacy Teams channel on weekends and bank holidays. This method of communication will replace the current HAN bleep.

Please provide: ward and location (e.g. bay, bed), patient's initials (no names), the prescription needed and how urgent.

If you are in:

• wards 1-5, the eye unit, Derwent department or the haematology/oncology day unit email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• surgery, wards 11, 14 or at the Bournemouth Private Clinic email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• in the East Wing please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For a status on your TTA, please use the pharmacy tracker

POOLE: Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) upgrade complete...

EPMA was upgraded on Sunday (17 October) and Poole is now running on the latest version of the software.

There were some challenges during the upgrade window, none of which impacted patient safety, but one that did impact EPMA access via EPR; this can currently only be done via Internet Explorer – please do not access via Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as it will not work.

On a positive note, the upgrade has introduced new features, such as 'quick charting' for nursing administration and a 'right-click' menu for prescribers. You might have already seen members of the EPMA team on the wards this week promoting the benefits of the upgrade... if you haven't then keep an eye out as they will be visiting you soon.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or have experienced any difficulties with the new version, then please call the EPMA team on 2984 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you missed Ask Aly...

Thank you to all those who joined Ask Aly yesterday with our deputy chief medical officer, Dr Matt Thomas. There were lots of questions asked and topics discussed, from operational pressures and the importance of being civil, to parking, Think Big, the staff survey and plastic cups! You can catch up on the meeting here.

Why complete the national NHS Staff Survey?... because together we can improve…

We know the Staff Survey is not the most exciting document and is seen as time consuming. You may even feel "what's the point" but if you can take 15-20 minutes out of your day to play your part and complete it, then you would know you have actively helped UHD's future, as together we can always keep improving.

This year has been one of a kind, and not one anyone is likely to want to repeat, but now being one team and one trust, we can work together to shape the future of UHD and always improve through the national NHS staff survey.

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

Tributes to Debbie Thompson

It is with deep sadness that we have to inform you that Debbie Thompson, who worked in the Urgent Treatment Centre as an ECP, passed away on Monday 18 October with her family present.

Debbie was a well-liked and very much loved paramedic who worked in the NHS for over 30 years. She worked in the Urgent Treatment Centre and SWAST for many years and she was a privilege to work alongside. She will be sadly missed by all her family, friends and colleagues.

A book of condolence will be placed in the chapel at Royal Bournemouth Hospital for anyone who wishes to share their memories of Debbie.

POOLE: Nuclear medicine welcome Marie and Pierre Curie to the team

On Monday we celebrated the opening of two new SPECT/CT scanners at Poole in the nuclear medicine department. These new machines allow for 'fusion imaging', meaning the images can be overlaid or viewed together to give a better picture than both images being looked at separately, faster scanning, smaller radiation doses and more accurate diagnostic information.

Dr Kat Dixon, head of nuclear medicine, said: "We are so excited to learn how to use these machines to their full potential and take on new projects. We named the machines after Marie and Pierre Curie for their pioneering work in nuclear medicine and we are so proud we can now help our patients quicker and more efficiently".

With thanks to Dr Kat Dixon, Paul Vaughan and the team from Siemens Healthcare, the trustees and donors from the Poole Hospital Cancer Treatment Trust charity and its fantastic patron, actor Guy Henry, for cutting the ribbon. Special thanks to the incredible staff who kept the service running smoothly throughout the nine months of building work.

Tribute to Rex Symons CBE from our chief executive Debbie Fleming

We were sad to learn of the death of a former chairman of Poole Hospital, Rex Symons CBE. He was the hospital trust's first chairman and held the role between 1991-2000.

Rex was a strong proponent of all things Dorset and worked hard to improve every aspect of healthcare in the region. His long and notable career included chairmanship of East Dorset Health Authority from 1989-1991, Poole Hospital NHS Trust from 1991-2000 as well as first chair of the newly established Bournemouth Teaching Primary Care Trust between 2000-2006.

He also had a wide range of roles across industry and the arts sector including chairman of the CBI's Health and Safety Committee, chairman of Dorset Training and Enterprise Council for six years until 1998, deputy chairman of Merck Holdings from 1989-91 and managing director of BDH Chemicals Ltd (formerly British Drug Houses Ltd) from 1980-89. He was also a member of a number of employment tribunals as well as governor of the Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design.

We would like to send our deepest condolences to Rex's family, including son, Paul, and daughter-in-law, Melanie. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.

His funeral service will be at St Luke's in Winton at 12.30pm on 28 October followed by interment at Wimborne Road Cemetery.

Share your views on Home First and supported discharge work

Dorset's Home First programme has been running over a year now, working with local health and social care partners to move patients out of hospital as quickly as possible and support them to recover at home.

As Home First's leaders look to the future, they would like to hear from staff involved in this work to better understand their experiences of Home First and what they would like to see going forward.

A new survey, open until Friday 29 October, provides an opportunity to share your views. The survey is anonymous and takes roughly eight minutes. If wish to discuss any aspect of the survey further contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. the independent organisation helping develop the next phase of the project.

XCH: 'Unknown Tommy' dedication to mark the start of this year's Poppy Appeal

The mayor of Christchurch has kindly donated an 'Unknown Tommy' silhouette to Christchurch Hospital. The silhouette is going to be placed in the hospital's memory garden.

The chaplains and the Armed Forces Support Group are holding a short dedication service at 11am next Thursday (28 October) all are welcome to attend.

The dedication service will mark the start of this year's Poppy Appeal in UHD.

Welcome to our new east Dorset library service lead

A warm welcome to Dr Affra Al Shamsi, the new lead for the NHS East Dorset Library and Knowledge Services. Affra comes to us from Kent, where she was the lead for Medway NHS Foundation Trust Knowledge and Library Services.

She is passionate about communication, sharing knowledge and quality improvement, and since joining the NHS has qualified as a QI and evidence and knowledge mobilisation coach, is a QSIR practitioner, part of the Q Community and a Fab Ambassador for the South East.

Last chance to showcase your improvements

Time is running out for you to share your poster at our Qi Celebration event on 24 November.

We're looking for examples on how you've tried out quality improvements in your team to inspire others to do the same. The deadline is midnight on 25 October 2021 but please let the Qi team know if you need some extra time and/or help to complete your submission.

More details are on the quality improvement section of the intranet here.

Trust-wide overpayment policy

We now have approved and implemented a trust-wide policy for recovering overpayments of wages and expenses. The aim of this policy is to provide a fair and consistent approach in dealing with the recovery of overpayments.

Occasionally, overpayment of wages and expenses can happen, and this policy explains the procedure for recovering overpayments.

If you are a member of staff and you have received an overpayment, or if you are a manager dealing with the recovery of overpayments, this policy explains the correct actions for you to take.

Keep our patient folders clean and green

Green plastic patient folders are recycled, but this cannot be done if stickers are attached to the front of the folders.

Do not stick patient ID demographic labels onto folder covers, as not only is this a breach of patient confidentiality but the labels are difficult to remove and leads to folders being thrown away.

Please think green, stop waste and reduce the workload for your colleagues.

Sign up to Elf Dash – our first UHD Charity Christmas event!

Join us at Branksome Dene Beach on 4 December and take on a sponsored run, walk, skip or dance along a 2km promenade route in support of your hospitals this Christmas.

Bring along family and friends and end the year with some festive cheer – children will also be able to meet Santa in his grotto!

Tickets are £10 for adults (16+), £6 per child and include a tasty lunch, elf hat and medal as well as a Christmas gift for children.

Sign up here.

Planning for your retirement?

A pre-retirement seminar is taking place on Wednesday 27 October 9am –12.30pm in the lecture theatre at Poole Hospital.

The seminar will provide information to support informed choices and decisions regarding retirement, and is aimed at all staff planning to retire in the next ten years.

Oak Tree Financial Training, an independent training consultancy, will present the seminar. Information will include: state pensions, income tax and the self-assessment tax regime, the NHS pension scheme, company pension/personal pension schemes, savings and investments, credit history, mortgages and re-mortgages, wealth preservation including wills and inheritance tax and how to get the best financial advice to suit your individual needs.

Places are limited to 30 and staff from across UHD are welcome. Further courses will be held at RBH, with dates to be confirmed.

To book a place contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ext. 2786.

It's Stammering Awareness Day

Today is International Stammering Awareness Day (ISAD). Did you know the NHS Stammering Network has been created by NHS staff who have lived experience of stammering?

The network provides NHS staff with support and information on stammering, including easy access to useful resources and we offer recommendations on how to support staff who stammer in the workplace.

Your wellbeing weekly

Don't forget to check out our wellbeing pages on the staff intranet. You can find out about exercise activities across UHD, upcoming menopause workshops and the next living well in retirement session on 26 October...

Flu-only vaccination clinics available from next week

Drop-in clinics for staff who wish to have their flu vaccine separately to the Covid-19 booster, or who don't wish to have the Covid booster vaccination, start on Monday (18 October).

You must bring your NHS number, which can be found on the NHS smartphone app, and your staff ID badge to ensure the clinics run smoothly. They run at Gala Lodge at Poole Hospital and the Stour building at Royal Bournemouth at the following times and days each week until further notice:

• Mondays: 8.30-10.30am, Poole Hospital
• Tuesdays: 4-6pm, Royal Bournemouth
• Wednesdays: 8.30-10.30am, Royal Bournemouth
• Thursdays: 4-6pm, Poole Hospital
• Fridays: 8.30-10.30am, Royal Bournemouth; 4-6pm, Poole Hospital

There is no need to book, and no need to wait between having the Covid booster or flu jab, and vice versa.

The Staff Survey 2021 is here and we need you...

You may well be thinking 'not another survey' but rest assured this survey is one with a difference.

We have been through a lot over this past year; the pandemic that hasn't yet come to an end, the two hospitals merging as one, never mind what we have experienced in our personal lives... this is why the Staff Survey of 2021 is so important.

It's the first for UHD as a merged trust, it has relevant questions to the current climate and the here and now of what our staff are experiencing including home and work life balance and it will help us shape the future of UHD as one team and how together we can move forward.

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

Next week is Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) week

Our IPC team will be holding a display in the dome and atrium next Friday (22 October) from 11am-2:30pm.

The team will be showcasing a QI project commencing on two wards across both sites in November and providing information about becoming an IPC Champion. The fit test team will be on hand to answer questions relating to changes in guidance for FFP3 respirators.

Come and chat to the team or leave us a question in the box on our stand.

RBH: Derwent department closure this Sunday (17 October)

From 7am on Sunday (17 October) there will be an outage of heating and hot water in the Derwent department, and the department will be closed.

All patients will be relocated to ward 12 before the closure. There will be future outages of heating, but not hot water, in the Derwent department at the end of October and we will provide updates on these.

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

POOLE: Telemetry outage next week

Due to a planned upgrade of the telemetry system next week there will be no ability to monitor telemetry centrally on Tuesday 19 October. This means the telemetry boxes will not be working.

It is planned that the outage will only last 24 hours and the system will be back up on Wednesday 20 October.

If a patient requires telemetry monitoring during this time, please discuss with the cardiology team. Patients who require monitoring will need to be transferred to AMU or ACU for monitoring whilst the telemetry system is down.

Celebrating our AHPs

The diverse roles that make up allied health professionals (AHPs) took centre stage in our hospitals on Thursday as we helped mark Allied Health Professionals Day.

AHP is the broad term use to describe professions as diverse as therapists, operating department practitioners and radiographers, and who make up around a third of the NHS' workforce.

Displays in the dome at Poole and atrium at Royal Bournemouth showcased some of the work undertaken by AHPs, including a quiz which tested just how much staff in general knew about AHPs and the skills and services they provide.

"AHPs are such a far-reaching group of staff that it is great for us all to come together to celebrate the contribution that they make to patient care and the value they bring to colleagues on this day," said Dr Debbie Lane, associate director for allied health professionals and healthcare scientists at UHD.

Find out more about AHPs in their newsletter, available here.

RBH: Limited dementia and delirium service

We currently have a very limited dementia and delirium specialist nursing service.

This will be for the next few weeks, and we will be triaging patients to prioritise.

Phone advice can be given if required on ext 5335.

Ask Aly – with Dr Matt Thomas

Join us at 1pm on Thursday (21 October) for the latest Ask Aly event, hosted this month by our deputy chief medical officer, Dr Matt Thomas. It's a great opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns or share your views.

You can join the meeting here and if you'd like to send any questions in 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.

POOLE: Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) upgrade is coming

EPMA is being upgraded on Sunday (17 October).

The upgrade will introduce new features to improve user experience, such as 'quick charting' for nurses and a 'right-click' menu for prescribers.

EPMA will now be known as WellSky so desktop icons will also be updated. Look out for the new symbol when accessing from a desktop.

Search 'EPMA' on the intranet for further information on the new features. The EPMA team will be visiting the wards next week to highlight the benefits that have been implemented.

In the meantime, if you have any further questions then please call the EPMA team on 2984 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Text messages to patients to help our waiting lists

We are currently contacting patients via text message as part of our work to tackle the large waiting lists caused by the pandemic.

They will be sent texts or letters asking them to confirm details about their care. If asked, please reassure patients that this is not a scam and they can respond to the message or letter.

You can find out more about what the messages will say here and download a patient awareness poster for your clinical area here.

RBH: No medical photographer available

There will be no medical photographer available on site until 21 October.

Your new safeguarding newsletter

The adult, children and maternity safeguarding team has created its first newsletter, raising awareness of the topic around the trust.

This month's edition introduces the team as well as a seven-minute focus tool to answer the question – what is safeguarding?

You can read the newsletter here.

RBH: No alcohol care and treatment service cover on Tuesday 19 October

Clinical information can be found on the alcohol intranet page.

If you wish to refer a patient please leave a message on ext 5329 and they will be seen the next day

Return your ID badge if you're leaving us

If you are leaving your job at the trust you must return your ID card to the card office or your line manager.

These cards are the property of UHD and must be returned in line with our security protocol and leavers policy.

Line managers are responsible for collecting ID cards when a member of staff is leaving.

Patient information stickers

Our patient experience team is working hard to update and rebrand to UHD the thousands of patient information leaflets currently in use across the trust.

While this work is ongoing, we have some stickers available that can be placed on leaflets that have yet to be rebranded, advising patients of the phone number and email address changes.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you'd like any of these stickers for your department.

Jenni Douglas-Todd confirmed as Dorset's Integrated Care Board (ICB) chair designate

This appointment is an important step towards the creation of statutory Integrated Care Boards which will also replace existing NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups from 1 April 2022.

Jenni says she is looking forward to being a part of a new and exciting team for the NHS and wider Integrated Care System.

Read more on the Dorset CCG website.

POOLE: Are you feeling lucky – enter the staff lottery!

Poole is joining RBH for the UHD staff lottery.

Lottery players can choose to have between one and five numbers at the cost of £1 per number. The numbers are allocated at random and the money is deducted directly from your wages. Currently, only staff who are paid monthly can enter.

There are 17 prizes each month and a range of prizes across the year ranging from £25 to £500 each month, and then quarterly additional bonus prizes of £750 all the way to £1,000.

As well as monthly prizes we have a yearly lottery fund where teams can bid for money to buy goods to benefit staff such as materials for wellbeing spaces, pictures to enhance staff rooms and staff physio sessions. This will be launched in January each year with awards being made in the April.

To join complete this form and for more information visit the staff lottery page on the intranet (look under S on the A-Z).

RBH: Catching out the bike thieves

Police cadets will be offering us a free bike security marking service.

You can register your bike with the police-approved database Bike Register and apply a unique code to your bike frame. Should your bike be stolen, a report can be submitted and the unique code can help police return your bike to you.

If you'd like to have your bike security marked for free bring it to the marquee from 25-29 October 10am-2pm.

Your Wellbeing Weekly

Head over to our weekly wellbeing pages to find out all the latest offers across UHD. This week, book into Tranquil Tuesdays for some lunchtime Pilates and yoga, find out about living well in retirement with Active Dorset and sign up for menopause discussion workshops.

Don't delay – UHD Covid booster vaccinations end soon

An incredible one in four UHD staff are now further protected against both Covid-19 and flu this winter, after just three weekends of vaccination clinics.

The weekend winter wellness clinics began offering the vaccinations earlier this month. In addition to these clinics, many staff are also choosing to have their Covid-19 booster vaccination away from UHD through pharmacies and GPs. Just under a quarter of all vaccinated staff have received their booster elsewhere.

In recognition of this, we will be bringing forward the end of our own clinics by two weeks – the last Covid-19 booster vaccinations through our hospitals will be available on 6 and 7 November.

If you have an appointment after this date, please go to the online booking portal and cancel and rebook your appointment for a clinic in the next few weekends – there are spaces available on all available days.

If you are unable to do so, e.g. because it has not been six months between your second vaccination and the booster, or because you are not 28 days clear after a Covid-19 infection, don't worry. Just follow the instructions on the NHS website here.

Thanks to all who have taken the trouble to provide positive feedback on the clinic service and experience – your comments are greatly appreciated by the project team and vaccinators.

• Flu: dedicated weekday drop-in flu clinics for staff who wish to have their vaccinations separately, or who do not want to have a Covid-19 booster, began this week – for full details see the intranet.

Ask Aly – with Dr Matt Thomas this Thursday

Join us at 1pm on Thursday (21 October) for the latest Ask Aly event, hosted this month by our deputy chief medical officer, Dr Matt Thomas. It's a great opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns or share your views.

You can join the meeting here and if you'd like to send any questions in 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.

HealthRoster upgrade is coming

Allocate HealthRoster is upgrading to HealthRoster 11 on the 8 November.

The functionality of the service will remain the same but the user interface has changed, familiarise yourself with the new layout.

You can see a preview of the upgrade and user guides on the workforce systems page on the RBCH intranet.

Speak up using our @UHD app

It's Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) month - did you know that you can speak up using our @UHD app?

The app brings useful information and resources about speaking up to your fingertips, wherever you are, from your mobile and you can use it to make referrals direct to the FTSU team.

These referrals can be made anonymously, although we always prefer to speak to you directly in a confidential and safe environment.

Click here for more information on how to download the @UHD app free to your smartphone.

Our new site guides

With more and more of us working away from our 'usual' hospital site, we've designed site guides for RBH and Poole to help you on your way.

The guides are a one-stop-shop a range of, including: refreshments and shops, meeting rooms and other facilities, IT and digital technology, parking, safety and security and useful contacts.

The guides can be downloaded here and can also be found on the UHD app. The Christchurch Hospital guide is coming soon.

Your voice is more important than ever...

We know everyone is extremely busy in the workplace. Life has changed a lot over the past year and thinking back to 2019 or even the beginning of 2020 seems like a long old time ago, so your voice is even more important right now.

This year's national NHS Staff Survey is being run by Quality Health (external company) and includes questions on areas that really matter to us such as what our working lives have been like for this past year, what our home/work life balance has been like and also our health and wellbeing.

We are really keen to hear your answers, your opinions, your voice. There's no denying this past year or so has been one like no other and so we want to hear your experience, your story. We want our staff to help us to build a future that we all care about and together we can make possible...

Please have your say and complete your Staff Survey. If you have any questions please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RBH: Parking at Littledown Centre

Please may all colleagues parking at Littledown Centre display their Littledown parking permit and park only in the designated bays. There have been cars parked outside of bays blocking the road through the car park recently.

There is parking in two areas of the Littledown Centre car park for UHD permit holders, so please ensure you check the second further area if the first car park if it is full.

Please see the map for the UHD-allocated parking zones.

POOLE: Use Internet Explorer to access EPMA via EPR

Following the upgrade of EPMA, the link to access it through EPR currently only works in Internet Explorer. It will not work when EPR is accessed via Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

We are working with the software suppliers to try and overcome this, but in the meantime please ensure all colleagues know to only use Internet Explorer to access EPMA via EPR. We will ensure that staff are informed when the issue is resolved.

POOLE: Thank you to Kath

A friendly and familiar face to staff and visitors at Poole Hospital retires next month after nearly three decades service.

Kath Raines, receptionist at the main entrance, is retiring on 1 November after 29 years at the hospital. Her reception colleagues have paid this tribute:

"Kath has worked at Poole Hospital for 29 years and has guided, assisted, supported, empathised and laughed with many grateful patients, visitors and colleagues in her role.

"She is a much loved, valued and respected colleague who has constantly been there for the team. She has been a font of all knowledge over the years, if Kath doesn't know, nobody does. She has worked tirelessly to make sure shifts are covered to enable the reception desk to stay manned. Kath is going to be sorely missed.

Just a typical piece of feedback from a grateful visitor: "You were really helpful, lovely and I wish there were more people like you in the world".

We all wish Kath good luck, health and happiness for her retirement."

Congratulations on your retirement, Kath!

POOLE: Lifting operations and equipment inspections (LOLER) in November

Zurich Insurance with be on site from 1 November for two weeks to carry out LOLER inspections.

Please can all areas check for lifting equipment, slings and hoists and make them available in your department for inspection. All equipment must be cleaned and sanitised during the visit and prior to inspection.

All overhead patient hoists should also be docked and fully charged ready for inspection.

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

RBH: No alcohol care and treatment service cover on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 October

Clinical information can be found on the alcohol intranet page.

If you need an urgent clinical opinion contact Poole ACTS bleep 0561, otherwise leave a patient referral on ext 5329 and they will be seen later that week.

National pension banding reassessment process

A new national payroll process has been added to ESR to automatically reassess new starters and assignments with certain pay-affecting changes, to ensure they are allocated to the appropriate pension per cent band.

Pensionable pay includes, but is not restricted to, basic pay, enhancements such as unsocial hours (night duty/weekend payments), on calls, clinical excellence awards, it is not overtime above whole time, or expenses.

This process will use all pensionable pay in the period of change to estimate pensionable pay for the assignment for the whole year.

Events that trigger the new assessment process on an assignment are as follows:

• new starter, including a new or secondary assignment for an existing person
• a change to the assignment grade step which is pay affecting
• assignments affected by a pay award.
• Where the reassessment process finds that a new pension band is required the new pension per cent rate will be updated from the start date of the change in pay, either on the 1 of the following month, or backdated from the date of change in pay.

Sending COP26 a clear message on climate change

In the run up to the UN COP26 Climate Conference in November and one year on from the launch of the NHS Net Zero Carbon commitments, the health community around the world is coming together to send a message calling for real action to address the climate crisis.

You can help by adding your name to 'The Healthy Climate Prescription letter'.

Read an update from Stuart Lane, sustainability and carbon manager, on the context around climate change and the determinants of health, and sign the letter here.

Time is running out to sign up for the randomised coffee trials

Randomised coffee trials are a way to meet colleagues from around the trust to share ideas and get to know each other.

The closing date to sign up for the next trials is 31 October – don't miss out on your chance to meet new colleagues.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more.

Allied Health Professionals (AHP) day quiz winners!

Congratulations to Kris Knudsen, Caroline Caton and Lisa Drury the winner and joint runners up of the AHP day quiz.

We hope they enjoyed their AHP goody box containing almonds, after eights, apples, hula hoops, hershey's, hob nobs, peanuts, pears, plums and pistachios.

We would also like to say a huge congratulations to Chris Efford from our musculoskeletal outpatients therapy team who was shortlisted for the 2021 Chief Allied Health Professions Officer AHP awards, this is a fantastic achievement – well done Chris!

Late applications to the EU settlement scheme

If you are a member of staff from the EU and you missed the deadline for the EU settlement scheme, you can still contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make a late application.

Mini Schwartz Round for UHD palliative care team

The next mini Schwartz Round will take place via Teams on 19 October between 2-3pm. The meeting will focus on 'when patients make choices that we find challenging' and is open to the UHD palliative care team only.

If you are part of this team and would like to join the meeting please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Forest Holme) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Mac Unit) for the link.

To find out about Schwartz Rounds and how your team/department can be part of a mini round, please go to the Schwartz Rounds pages on the intranet.

POOLE: Don't miss your chance to win the staff lottery

Poole is joining RBH for the UHD staff lottery. Lottery players can choose to between one and five numbers at the cost of £1 per number.

There are 17 prizes each month and a range of prizes across the year ranging from £25 to £500 each month, and then quarterly additional bonus prizes of £750 all the way to £1,000.

As well as monthly prizes we have a yearly lottery fund where teams can bid for money to buy goods to benefit staff such as materials for wellbeing spaces, pictures to enhance staff rooms and staff physio sessions. This will be launched in January each year with awards being made in the April.

To join complete this form and for more information visit the staff lottery page on the intranet.

Your wellbeing weekly

Don't forget to check out our wellbeing pages on the staff intranet. You can find out more about Tranquil Tuesday Pilates, Wellbeing Wednesday sessions on physical and mental wellbeing, Thriving Thursday yoga and much more...

Free Piede Pilates Session this afternoon

Tired feet? Give them a little love with a session filled with exercises to mobilise, stretch and strengthen your feet at the Poole Hospital physiotherapy gym.

The session takes place today (Tuesday 19 October) at 5.15pm and participants will need to bring their own tennis ball, or spiky massage ball.

Spaces are limited, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book.

POOLE: Availability this weekend at winter wellness clinic

Around one in five staff is now further protected from Covid-19 after our winter vaccination clinic at the Royal Bournemouth at the weekend.

The clinic, which also offers staff the annual flu vaccine, moves back to Poole this Saturday and Sunday, with limited appointments available on Sunday (17 October). Use the online booking system to find a time that suits, using your Chrome browser to do this.

Please remember:

• Bring your NHS number with you to your appointment
• If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know using the instructions in your booking confirmation email, or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information check out this FAQ.

Time running out in consultation on compulsory vaccinations for healthcare workers

The Government's consultation on extending compulsory vaccination requirements to health and care settings for COVID-19 and flu ends on 22 October.

The consultation proposes that, if introduced, requirements would apply to frontline health and care workers– those with face-to face contact with patients and clients. It would mean only those workers that are vaccinated (or those with a legitimate medical exemption) could deliver those services.

These are complex and important issues and the consultation seeks to gather a wide range of perspectives across the health and care sectors about whether requirements should be introduced.

One contact for e-roster

There is now only one email address for raising any problems with e-roster across UHD - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will no longer be monitored.

Public Health England hands over to the UK Health Security Agency

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is the new body that takes on the roles of organisations including Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace.

The UKHSA's remit will include public health, including the fight against Covid-19 through the continuing development of effective vaccines.

The UKHSA will also work to tackle health inequalities, one of UHD's strategic objectives as a partner on the Dorset Integrated Care System.

All Public Health England and Public Health Dorset contact details will remain unchanged for now.

POOLE: New members of #TeamUHD

A warm welcome seven new international nurses to the trust. They have finished their isolation period post arrival in the UK and started work last week.

They join us from the Philippines, Ghana, Zimbabawe, Nigeria and Kenya and will be joining our teams in wards A5, B2,B3, emergency department and theatres.

Welcome to all of our new starters this week, we are so glad to have you.

It's time for Abbott glucose and ketone external quality assurance (EQA) samples

If you use Abbott glucose and ketone meters look out for the letter and sample to test coming to your ward from Wednesday (13 October).

The letter will include details on where to send results, which must be submitted for each meter before 1 November.

Every meter on our register must have a result submitted by the point of care team within 21 days of the sample dispatch to be compliant. Any results returned after the deadline are not submitted and the ward or clinic is marked as non-compliant. If ketones are also measured on a device we expect a glucose and a ketone result for each meter.

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

EQA compares different sites testing the same analyte, so there can be continuity of testing over geography. At UHD we subscribe to Wales External Quality Assurance Scheme (WEQAS) and samples are sent for us to test quarterly.

When reporting results to WEQAS point of care needs: meter serial number, strip lot number, test being performed, date of test, operator details and the result. The operator details are not reported but is a contact for us should the results be unacceptable, and we need to investigate or troubleshoot.

RBH: Limited inpatient stoma care service the Friday

We may not be able to facilitate day of referral review on Friday.

Stoma care service can be contacted on extension 4813, bleep 2633 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

National pension banding reassessment process

A new national payroll process has been added to ESR to automatically reassess new starters and assignments with certain pay-affecting changes, to ensure they are allocated to the appropriate pension per cent band.

This process will use all pensionable pay in the period of change to estimate pensionable pay for the assignment for the whole year.

Events that trigger the new assessment process on an assignment are as follows:

• new starter, including a new or secondary assignment for an existing person
• a change to the assignment grade step which is pay affecting
• assignments affected by a pay award.

Where the reassessment process finds that a new pension band is required the new pension per cent rate will be updated from the start date of the change in pay, either on the 1 of the following month, or backdated from the date of change in pay.

POOLE: Help keep our workplace fire-safe

Fire wardens have a vital role in maintaining fire safety compliance in their local workplaces and assisting in fire alarm incidents.

Two further courses have been booked in for Poole Hospital fire warden training. If you are already in the process of becoming a fire warden and have had to miss a previous session you can also book on to one of these dates.

• Monday 29 November 9-11am
• Tuesday 14 December 10am-12pm

Courses are held in the lecture theatre and can be booked on the Poole education and training pages on the intranet.

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

POOLE: Telemetry outage next week

Due to a planned upgrade of the telemetry system next week there will be no ability to monitor telemetry centrally on Tuesday 19 October. This means the telemetry boxes will not be working.

It is planned that the outage will only last 24 hours and the system will be back up on Wednesday 20 October.

If a patient requires telemetry monitoring during this time, please discuss with the cardiology team. Patients who require monitoring will need to be transferred to AMU or ACU for monitoring whilst the telemetry system is down.

Save the date for our Christmas Elf Dash

Our first UHD Charity Christmas event is here and you're invited.

Join us at Branksome Dene Beach from 11am on Saturday 4 December 2021 – run, walk, skip or dance your way along a festive promenade route followed by a visit to Santa in his grotto!

Pop the date in your diary - sign up information coming very soon.

Do you know how to have difficult conversations?

If you have line management responsibilities, why not come along to a leadership development session aimed at helping develop techniques for managing difficult conversations.

The virtual programme, delivered by Practive, also aims to support attendees to tackle poor behaviour and support individual performance

Sessions can be booked on the leadership development pages of the RBCH intranet.

Spaces available at 'leading teams through change' workshops

Are you leading a team through change? Join one of our leadership development workshops to gain knowledge on leading through times of uncertainty and network with other leaders across UHD.

Workshops can be booked on the leadership development pages of the RBCH intranet.

Job of the week: Workforce lead across sites

The workforce team is looking for a motivated registered healthcare professional to join them on an 18-month secondment. You will support delivery of the workforce agenda for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals across UHD.

The work is challenging, interesting and hugely varied, reflecting the current and future needs of the trust.

You will need to have experience in working with multidisciplinary teams and some operational and clinical experience.

The job closes on the 21 October. Click here for more information.

Your wellbeing weekly

Be sure to read up on all of the latest wellbeing offers on the You Matter pages of the intranet. This month is Menopause Awareness Month and there are workshops and discussions on offer which allow us all to learn more about menopause and its effects. You can also join mindfulness courses, take up exercise group opportunities and much more.