Covid-19 vaccinations continue

Appointments are available for any staff member who is yet to have their first Covid-19 vaccination.

If you would like more information or have questions about the vaccine, visit the frequently asked questions page on the intranet.

When booking our appointment online you do not need to complete a separate consent form. And when arriving for your appointment, it will help our clinics to run more smoothly if you have your NHS number to hand (if known).

Once you have had your vaccination, you will still need to follow all current precautions, including social distancing in and out of work, good hand hygiene and adherence to face covering and PPE guidance. You will still not be able to work in certain areas that a previous risk assessment had indicated were inappropriate for you.

Patients in priority groups are being invited to have a vaccination by their GPs as part of a separate vaccination programme. Please do not encourage patients to contact their GP practice as they are unable to deal with the volume of calls this generates. All patients who are in the priority groups will be contacted by their surgery directly.

We will let staff know about arrangements for second doses as soon as possible. Following national guidance, this second vaccination will follow 10-12 weeks after your first.

Covid-19 self-testing kits

We have now received a further delivery of lateral flow kits so all staff are able to self-test at home for Covid-19 as part of the government's response to the pandemic.

Some 9,500 members of staff are already using the kits, enabling us to identify cases of Covid-19 where staff haven't displayed any symptoms and crucially helping us prevent further spread in our hospitals.

Each box provides a 12-week supply of testing kits and is for personal use only, so please only take one. If you have yet to receive your box, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you require replacement buffer solution, a limited number are on order. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Further orders have now been placed for staff nearing the end of their first boxes and needing to move on to their second 12 week supply in February. More information on restocking will follow.

Our Covid intranet pages are here to guide you through the testing:

• Watch: How to do a swab and record my result
• A guide to Covid home testing
• Covid self-testing picture guide
• FAQs
• Roles and responsibilities
• Record my results

Please note: if you have any symptoms of Covid-19, please make sure you self-isolate and arrange a PCR swab from our swabbing team. 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..

This swabbing service may also be used for household members, so please do not use the lateral flow kits for anyone other than yourself.

You must record all your results using the dedicated web portal: mytest.uhd.nhs.uk.

Managers must complete the registration form on Teams when issuing the testing kits to staff.

Our bank staff colleagues should get their kits from the line manager who books them.

Helping patients and families stay in touch

Paula Shobbrook, our chief nursing officer, has recorded a message that we are sharing across social media to explain to relatives and friends of patients why there may be a delay in answering calls and getting messages to patients. We appreciate the pressures all of our ward staff are under and we are keen to try and help the public understand why we have to prioritise the care we give our patients. Details for contacting patients are available on our website.

NHS Test and Trace

If you have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the Covid-19 app, you must follow this guidance.

If you receive an isolation alert, you shouldn't perform your own lateral flow test as a means of shortening the isolation period. Our IPC team is also not able to review and assess each case, nor change any instructions given by Public Health England.

Remember when you're working in our hospitals, it is Trust policy to turn off your app when you don your mask.

Remember: mask on, app off!

New action cards covering green and blue pathways, and mixed cohorts

Additional action cards have been added to the infection prevention and control intranet page.

• UHD Action Card 4b - Maintaining green pathways
• UHD Action Card 4c - Placing blue pathway patients onto outbreak wards
• UHD Action Card 6 - Staffing mixed cohort

Mortuary viewing rooms – reminder

Staff are reminded not to tell relatives that they can come in to view their loved ones in the mortuary viewing room. This has not been permitted since the start of the first lockdown and we regret this continues to be the case now.

Please refer to the intranet to see the new action card.

Transfer of patients to care homes and home with care agency – updated guidance

The guidance relating to the transfer of patients to care homes and home with care agency has now been updated. Please refer to action card 50 on the intranet to review this new information.

A video update from our chief executive

Debbie Fleming shares her pride in how our hospitals have reacted to the latest steep rise in Covid-19 patients and thanks staff for all that they have achieved to care for our patients. She also celebrates the rollout of the vaccine for our staff. Watch Debbie's message here.

Access the Covid toolkit via the BEAT VLE

The COVID Toolkit, which all staff are required to complete, is now available on the BEAT VLE for staff on all sites. If you've already completed it via the intranet you don't need to complete it again – it will appear as a green line on your VLE profile.

If you haven't completed it yet please login to the BEAT VLE and complete it as soon as possible.

Managers please note - when staff complete it via the VLE it will automatically enter the competence into ESR the following day – you no longer need to do this. If any staff have completed it via the intranet but you haven't entered the competence into ESR yet it will appear as a red line on their profile. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will rectify this for you.

All Poole staff who log in to the VLE during January will automatically be entered into a free prize draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher.

Advice on receiving the flu jab following Covid-19 vaccination

We are still offering the flu vaccination for staff yet to have theirs. You will need to leave seven days between having your Covid-19 and flu jab (and seven days after your flu jab before your Covid-19 one). Find you nearest peer vaccinator – trained staff able to provide the jab to colleagues in their clinical area on the intranet.

Dr David Shortland bids farewell to the trust

Dr David Shortland, consultant paediatrician, retires today (22 January 2021) after an amazing 41 years' service.

If anyone wishes to sign David's card or contribute to his collection, please contact his secretary Jenny Pulley, in the acute secretaries office, on ext. 2039.

A leaving do will be arranged for later in the year when restrictions are hopefully relaxed.

RBCH - advance notice of entrance closure and construction works

The orthopaedic entrance from the car park into both the department and onto the Hospital Street will be closed from 1 February. This is to enable works to start on the building of the new retail pharmacy, general office and lily suite in preparation for the works within the main entrance and commencement of the maternity, childrens, emergency and critical care centre. Staff and patients will be directed to either the main entrance or the Eye Unit entrance.

Construction works will be starting on the Eye Unit and Jigsaw entrance from 1 February. This is to create a larger entrance which will contain a new reception area and coffee shop, as this will become the primary entrance for patients and staff during the construction works by the current main entrance to create the maternity, childrens, emergency and critical care centre. The entrance will remain open for access and exit. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Thank you letter to NHS and social care staff

Chief Constable James Vaughan on behalf of the Dorset Local Resilience Forum has written a thank you to all NHS and social care staff. Click here to read the full letter.

RBCH - missing robotic scope

A robotic scope, worth £16,000, has gone missing. It was delivered to the trust on 24 December to AMU and has not been directed to theatres.

This is an essential and expensive piece of equipment. If it has been seen by anyone please contact theatres fishbowl on ext. 4183

March for Men goes digital!

Registration is now open for March for Men 2021. This year we would like you to walk, jog or run either 1km, 5km or 10km at a location of your choice between Friday 12 and Sunday 28 March. You will be supporting the thousands of men from every part of our community facing men's health concerns, such as prostate or testicular cancers. New for this year you can sign up to march for Bournemouth Hospital Charity or Poole Hospital Charity! Find out more and sign up now at BHCharity.org/m4m or poolehospitalcharity.co.uk/march-for-men/

POOLE – Costa click and collect

Click and collect is now available at Poole Hospital's Costa Coffee. Download the Costa Coffee app, make your selection and you will be notified when it is ready to be picked up.

NHS counter fraud authority Fraud Prevention Notice

The NHS counter fraud authority was alerted in January 2021 to a private company approaching various GP practices offering to give a 'donation' to charity or offering individual staff members a cash amount for 'unused' Covid-19 vaccinations.

The approach was by email to the practice inbox and required a reply to advise of the availability and take up the offer.

Click here to read more and see ways to prevent it if you are approached.

Care First webinars

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

• Monday 25 January, 12-12.30pm – Care First
• Tuesday 26 January, 12-12.30pm – Winter blues
• Wednesday 27 January, 12-12.30pm – Children
• Thursday 28 January, 12-12.30pm – Working from home
• Friday 29 January, 12-12.30pm – Burnout and tiredness

Roadworks

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

Online Covid-19 vaccination bookings now available

A new online booking system for staff to book their own Covid-19 vaccination appointment is now live for those in eligible priority vaccination groups, which have also been updated.

With incredible progress made in vaccinating staff who are the most vulnerable and who carry the greatest risk, we are now able to open the bookings system for all staff in patient- or public-facing roles. We will offer appointments to staff outside of these groups as soon as possible.

You will need your assignment number to hand in order to book an appointment.

If you experience problems registering, please note:

• when you book a slot, you are booking the date, the time and the location of the slot all in one go. Please be clear when you do this, that you pick the site (ie Poole or RBH) that you wish to attend.
• the site may have rejected you on the grounds of not being a member of a priority group, this part of the software has now been updated you may now be able to book a slot.
• with a large number of staff trying to access this site, please be patient and allow the system time to respond to the information you are putting in and the choices you make.

If you believe you meet the criteria for a priority vaccination and you are unable to book an appointment on the new system, please speak to your manager who will contact the vaccination service on your behalf.

The booking system can be accessed here. For a poster to help make staff without regular access to email or the intranet aware and which can be displayed on staff noticeboards please check the intranet.

Consent for the removal of relevant material from the deceased

The medical examiner office has seen a number of occasions recently where Covid swabs may have been taken from patients after they have died. As per the Coronavirus legislation doctors are not required to have a positive swab result to enter Covid-19 on the MCCD as a cause of death, only to suspect it. Check the clinical information area on the Covid-19 intranet pages to see the consent for the removal of relevant material from the deceased document.

Covid-19 vaccine fraud

Criminals are using the Covid-19 vaccine as a way to target the public by tricking them to hand over cash or financial details. They are sending convincing-looking text messages letting people know they are eligible for the vaccine or phoning people directly pretending to be from the NHS, or local pharmacy.

Check the counter fraud page on the intranet to see examples of the fraud taking place and how to prevent it.

RBH - Stour Building: reminder not to congregate in toilets and kitchen areas

Staff are reminded not to congregating in toilets and kitchen areas when they are taking lunches/breaks in the Stour Building.

Please be mindful that this is a work area and staff wish to keep it as Covid safe as possible.

Library service opening hours and virtual support

During the current lockdown both our libraries are staffed Mon-Fri, 8.30am–5pm. The library team is also able to offer training and help virtually using MS Teams for those working from home.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like any training. In addition, all books borrowed in December 2020 have been renewed until 1 March.

Reminder on PPE and clinical practice

Please ensure you follow good infection prevention and control practices, and ensure your use of PPE is appropriate. Check the intranet latest news for a handy summary of some of the key actions staff can take. If you are unsure about the correct use of PPE, or what PPE to wear, speak to your manager.

Have you had you flu jab externally?

If you have had your flu jab outside of the trust, eg at your GP or pharmacy, please contact occupational health to let them know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It's not too late to have your jab to be as protected as possible this winter. You should not have the flu vaccine within seven days of a Covid-19 vaccination as a precaution, and it is safe to have the flu vaccination between the two Covid-19 vaccination doses. Please check the flu vaccination intranet section.

Your Staff Bulletin – coming to you twice a week

The Staff Bulletin will now be published twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, bringing you news and information even faster.

Please submit items by 10am Monday for consideration in Tuesday bulletins and by 10am Thursday for consideration in Friday bulletins.

Your January edition of The Brief is out now!

Included in this edition:

• an update on our hospitals from Debbie Fleming
• Covid-19 update, including vaccinations and staff swabbing
• wellbeing and emotional support for you
• download your 2021 Inclusion Calendar - see below
• sign up to one of our staff networks
• transformation update – what's happening when
• education and training news
• developing our UHD intranet

Click here to read it and please share the key messages with your colleagues.

Home First – free online events for healthcare providers

We have joined NHS colleagues and social care services in Dorset to help people out of hospital more quickly and recover in the comfort of their own homes. To support staff during this campaign, Dorset Healthcare is hosting a series of webinars this month about the Home First programme, and what it means for healthcare providers.

You can find out more about the webinars as well as register your interest here.

Healthcare students return

During the next week we will see the return of healthcare students onto placement across the trust. This includes a large number of first years who have had no previous hospital experience.

Please welcome them as part of your team and be mindful of their well-being needs as well as their clinical learning outcomes.

The education team is on hand to support and ask that you contact us directly with any concerns or issues that arise.

Poole: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ext.8771

RBCH: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ext.6501.

Drop-ins every Friday, 10am-12pm, in the Oasis café.

Occupational English Test (OET) for HCSWs

Are you are an overseas qualified nurse working in the trust as a Healthcare Support Worker role who needs to achieve OET to apply for OSCE training and NMC registration?

The trust is funding a group to study for the Occupational English Test (OET) at Bournemouth and Poole College.

If you would like to apply to be assessed for this course please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Sunday 24 January.

A farewell to Julia Hopper

Julia Hopper, Royal Bournemouth Hospital's first director of nursing, died earlier this month aged 87.

She had a 39-year long career in the NHS, working in Manchester, Sheffield, York and Dundee before moving to Dorset in 1971 where she first worked at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Boscombe.

Julia was instrumental in setting up the MacMillan Unit, our hospice at Christchurch Hospital, with Dr Ronnie Fisher and was also involved with planning hospice-type care and specialised nurses in the NHS.

Simplified HSJ access

The HSJ has made access even simpler than before. The subscription, paid for by the Library and Knowledge Service, is available for all UHD staff using their trust email address.

To sign up and keep up to date with the latest Health Service news click here.

RBH - Road closure outside the Eye Unit and Jigsaw Building entrances

In advance of the new west entrance construction, initial ground investigation work will require the closure of part of the road outside the Eye Unit and Jigsaw entrances as well as the introduction of a priority traffic system.

These changes are expected to be in place from Monday 18 January until Friday 22 January. We apologise in advance for the disruption this might cause to the flow of traffic in this area.

Pedestrian routes to the Eye Unit and Jigsaw entrances will be maintained from both directions from car park A&B and Derwent/Multi Story Car Park.

RBH - check of Marsden scales

An engineer will be on site to check all Marsden scales from 26-29 January. Please ensure your scales are available for inspection.

Your 2021 Inclusion Calendar

We're so pleased to bring you your 2021 Inclusion Calendar, packed with actions and ideas you or your colleagues can take to help create happier and more inclusive teams. The calendar includes information on key national and local campaigns and events and gives you an idea of how you can get involved in UHD organised events, but also how you can get involved independently if we cannot support anything centrally.

Leadership development session: difficult conversations

The trust is offering a leadership development session aimed at those with line management responsibilities and is designed to help attendees develop techniques for managing difficult conversations.

The virtual programme, delivered by Practive, aims to support delegates to increase their confidence and skills in handling difficult conversations and tackling poor behaviour and under performance.

For information on dates and to apply, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Care First webinars

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

• Tuesday 12 January, 12-12.30pm - Mental health
• Wednesday 13 January, 12-12.30pm - Alcohol awareness
• Thursday 14 January, 12-12.30pm - Wellbeing
• Friday 15 January, 12-12.30pm - Isolation and loneliness
• Monday 18 January, 12-12.30pm – Care First
• Tuesday 19 January, 12-12.30pm - Lockdown
• Wednesday 20 January, 12-12.30pm - Keyworkers
• Thursday 21 January, 12-12.30pm – Health anxiety
• Friday 22 January, 12 -12.30pm – Home schooling and children at home

Survey on improving short term management of patients with dementia admitted to hospital

Based on interviews conducted at RBH, a researcher from Bournemouth University's Ageing and Dementia Research Centre has develop a support bundle aiming to reducing length of stay through improvements in discharge planning and falls prevention.

Staff caring for people with dementia are asked to complete two short surveys on factors identified as contributing to a reduction of falls and the improvement of the discharge planning process.

Click here to complete the questionnaire on falls, and here for the questionnaire on discharge planning.

For more information contact Mary Duah-Owusu White This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

March for Men returns

Registration is now open for Bournemouth Hospital Charity's March for Men. You're invited to walk, jog or run either 1km, 5km or 10km in solidarity with the thousands of men from every part of our community facing men's health concerns, such as prostate or testicular cancers.

The event will be a little bit different in 2021, as we want you to undertake your walk or run at a location of your choice between Friday 12 and Sunday 28 March. Find out more and sign up now here.

Roadworks

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

Book your Covid-19 vaccination now

Appointments for the Covid-19 vaccination can now be made by staff in any role. This follows the successful roll out of the vaccine to our most vulnerable staff and those who carry the greatest risk over the last few weeks.

Bookings can be made for either Poole or the Royal Bournemouth hospitals, and must be done through the new online booking system – to do this you will need to have your assignment number handy at the time of making the booking. If you have previously tried to book an appointment and have been unsuccessful, please try again as there are now no restrictions.

For more information on the vaccination programme, please check the intranet.

If you have had your Covid-19 vaccination elsewhere, e.g. in primary care, please let occupational health know.

We are currently only taking bookings for the first dose of the vaccination. Information on how to book your second dose will follow soon. The second dose will be given between 10-12 weeks after the first, in line with national guidance. You will be able to choose to have your second dose at either hospital, availability permitting.

New 'long Covid' clinics

Help is available for those living with the long-term effects of Covid-19, which include breathlessness, anxiety and chronic fatigue – also known as 'long COVID'.

GPs and primary care staff will be able to assess and recommend a range of support - click here for more information.

Flu vaccinations

Having the flu jab is a great way to further protect yourself. Our incredible peer vaccinators are still available to vaccinate colleagues wherever possible, check the intranet for a list of how to find your nearest.

All-staff briefing with our chair and chief executive

The first all-staff briefing of the new year will be held on Wednesday 10 February, 12.30-1.30pm. David Moss, our chairman, and Debbie Fleming, our chief executive, as well as fellow executives will provide the latest on managing the Covid-19 pandemic, an operational update and development plans for the year ahead.

Please join us if you can, or a recording of the briefing will be available afterwards on our intranet. The Teams link is available here.

Ask Aly...

Join us for a virtual drop-in session with our chief medical officer, Dr Alyson O'Donnell, and guests, on 29 January, 1-2pm. Click here to join.

All staff are welcome and we encourage you to ask questions, raise issues or share your experiences via the 'raised hand' function or chat bar in Teams.

Appointment of deputy chief executive

I am delighted to announce that Professor Paula Shobbrook has been appointed deputy chief executive for University Hospitals Dorset.

Paula is also our chief nursing officer and she joined RBCH as director of nursing and midwifery in 2011. She was previously director of nursing at Winchester Hospital where she worked for 10 years. Paula's NHS career includes working as a ward sister in acute medicine, cardiac and respiratory specialities.

- Debbie Fleming, chief executive

Service personnel support

We are pleased to confirm that the MoD will be deploying service personnel to support hospitals in the south west region for the next few weeks to help manage our Covid-19 response. Medical support officers, medical technicians and general duties personnel will be joining us today for an induction session and deployed to wards and support services as appropriate.

ID badge update

We still have around 2,500 badges to issue across the trust and need more old badges returned so that the system can continue to operate during this transition.

To facilitate any early returns of badges:

1. Photocopy the template sheet as it is now (this would have been provided with the original pack of IDs)
2. Return this with the cards currently collected and entered on the sheet/s
3. Continue with original sheet for rest of returns
4. Use the return information provided on the template

The project team would like to thank all staff for their efforts so far in issuing over 10,000 badges in a short time frame.

POOLE - Fit testing

Due to the redeployment of staff to support other clinical areas there is an increased need for fit testing.

Any staff who have not been fit tested for the Segre GVS, or the Fang Tian FT-045, or need to be tested on the Porta Count, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Mortuary viewing rooms - reminder

Staff are reminded not to tell relatives that they can come in to view their loved ones in the mortuary viewing room.

This has not been permitted since the start of the first lockdown and continues to be the case now.

Use of FFP3 outside of ICU/areas with aerosol generating procedures

Public Health England has reviewed the use of FFP3 outside of ICU and areas with aerosol generating procedures (AGP) and their guidance remains the same. Please use FFP3 in ICU/areas with AGP and there is no change from current guidelines for other clinical areas. Video on PPE for ICU/AGP here and video on PPE for other areas here.

RBH – Philips defibrillator upgrade

These defibrillators will be standardised across RBH and function in the same way as the current defibrillators. Each defibrillator can be used in either manual or AED mode. EtCO2 is now built into the device and all have the capability to externally pace a patient.

The upgraded defibrillator can provide CPR feedback during the cardiac arrest by applying the CPR meter to the patient's chest beneath the chest compression providers hands. Feedback will display on the monitor and you will hear verbal prompts.

Resuscitation officers plan to revisit wards/departments from 20 January onwards and can be contacted on bleep 2248 all week.

Retirement of Dr Martin Hussey

Colleagues came to together yesterday to mark the retirement of Dr Martin Hussey, paediatric associate specialist, who leaves after an amazing 28 years' service to Poole Hospital.

Dr Hussey was a winner of Poole's 'Living the Values' award at the 2018 Poole Hospital Awards, nominated by a patient's grandmother for "consistently treating her and us with outstanding care, support, patience and understanding".

Commenting at the leaving event, Debbie Fleming, chief executive, said: "Martin, we're really proud of you and really grateful to you as somebody who has done so much for the reputation of the trust".

The event was organised by Dr Steve Wadams, clinical director, and can be viewed here.

POOLE – Tributes paid to Mandy

It is with much sadness that we inform staff of the loss of our dear friend and colleague Amanda (Mandy) Tomey.

Mandy passed away on 5 January. As many of you will know she was the wife of our colleague Philip Tomey.

A senior healthcare assistant for many years at Poole Hospital, formerly within older people's services and for the last 20 years in the outpatient department, Mandy was a much loved and respected friend and colleague to many.

Her well known wit and sense of humour will be missed by all who had the pleasure to work with her. Mandy would always go that extra mile for the patients and everyone that she came into contact with. Her kindness and generosity was extended to all her colleagues throughout the years.

Mandy was a cherished member of the Poole family and will be sorely missed.

- The outpatients team, Poole Hospital

Wellbeing updates – You Matter

The last few weeks have been unsettling for many staff with the challenges of another lockdown and increasing numbers of patients. Please know it's okay not to feel okay and support is available for you.

• Safe spaces and rest areas: Rest areas are where staff can eat and safe spaces are where you can relax. Please take your rubbish away in both areas and don't eat in the safe spaces, such as the Bubble at Poole, so we can keep them clean. The Eye Unit Seminar Room in RBH is available as a safe space and rest area.
• Marquees: The marquee at Poole will be heated from this week providing an additional rest area. Please take your rubbish away with you, thank you.
• Staff resilience: A range of short information sessions to support staff resilience will soon be available – communications on booking and attendance will follow.
• Further support: Access the wellbeing and emotional support pages here.

Feedback: We know that we are in a period of change so please tell us what you need by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Your new bulletin

The style of your staff bulletin has changed. The new style allows for easy-read access on all devices and can be easily printed for display on department staff notice boards.

The bulletin is sent out twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please submit items by 10am Monday for consideration in Tuesday bulletins and by 10am Thursday for consideration in Friday bulletins.

New year, new you?

Want to pick up a new skill this year? Keep up-to-date on the latest research, but not sure how?

Join your trust library service. You can fill in an online form to join. You can gain access to a wide range of resources by registering with NHS OpenAthens. We can send you a monthly bulletin straight to your email on a variety of topics. Check out our YouTube video to see what else we can do for your teams/department.

Care First webinars

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

• Tuesday 19 January, 12-12.30pm - Lockdown
• Wednesday 20 January, 12-12.30pm - Keyworkers
• Thursday 21 January, 12-12.30pm – Health anxiety
• Friday 22 January, 12-12.30pm – Home schooling and children at home
• Monday 25 January, 12-12.30pm – Care First
• Tuesday 26 January, 12-12.30pm – Winter blues
• Wednesday 27 January, 12-12.30pm – Children
• Thursday 28 January, 12-12.30pm – Working from home
• Friday 29 January, 12-12.30pm – Burnout and tiredness

Roadworks

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

Covid-19 vaccinations start at Poole

Covid-19 vaccinations started at Poole Hospital this week, part of our efforts to support the national immunisation drive.

Staff will continue to be seen in this broad order:

1. those who are personally at high clinical risk
2. peripatetic front line staff (those that move between wards and departments as part of their role)
3. other frontline clinical staff, starting with those working who are working within our blue (Covid-19) areas.

We aim to offer a vaccine to all of the above groups within the next two weeks, after which the vaccine will be available to all other staff. Pictured right is Mary Sainsbury, emergency admissions officer, receiving her vaccination at Poole Hospital on Monday.

The underlying messages remain:

• do not phone or 'drop in' to the bookings or vaccination service without an appointment
• if you are a priority staff member, you will be contacted
• continue to treat colleagues with courtesy and respect at all times.

We are working hard to bring you the vaccine, in a safe, fair and methodical way, and will keep you updated with news as we have it. Visit the intranet for more information.

Flu jabs still available

Nearly two thirds of staff have had their vaccination but there is still time to have yours if you have not done so already.

Check the flu section on the intranet to find out more and see a list of our flu peer vaccinators.

Covid-19 staff swabbing details

When submitting staff Covid-19 swabs please remember to include the following information in your email:

• Name of staff (as it is on their clinical record)
• date of birth
• mobile number
• symptoms
• start date of symptoms

If it includes a household member please provide their name and date of birth as well as their symptoms and contact details.

Lateral flow test results

If you have symptoms, even if your lateral flow test shows negative, do not come to work. If you lateral flow test is positive you must request a PCR test and not come to work.

Test and trace reminder for staff at work

Staff are reminded not to use the Covid-19 test and trace app while at work - ensure the app is turned off even when phones are left in lockers.

Remember: mask on, app off.

Take breaks safely

Staff are reminded to take your breaks safely in our dedicated dining and rest areas. To support good infection prevention and control, don't eat or drink in clinical areas, in the corridors or in mandatory mask-wearing areas.

POOLE - fit testing

Fit testing is continuing in the education centre. Dates can be found on the intranet.

Most wards and departments have their own fit testers who can support fit testing. If they are unable to assist please contact the vocational team to book onto one of the planned dates.

If any wards or departments have someone they would like to be trained to be a fit tester please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Portacount machine is now working if anyone needs to be tested via the Portacount please contact us to book a date and time. If you book a date and time for a fit test and you are unable to attend please contact us at the earliest opportunity we can reallocate the time slot.

Read and follow ward signage

Please ensure that you read signs on doors before entering a department or ward. These signs are important and let you know vital information and are updated frequently.

RBH - reminder on entering ICU

Please do not enter ICU unless you are a member of staff working in that area.

If you need to collect equipment etc that is stored in the department, please call ahead so arrangements can be made.

Your Staff Bulletin – coming to you twice a week

The Staff Bulletin will now be published twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, bringing you news and information even faster.

Please submit items by 10am Monday for consideration in Tuesday bulletins and by 10am Thursday for consideration in Friday bulletins.

Update to visiting restrictions

Visiting guidance has been reviewed in light of the national lockdown and national guidance, and remains the same. Click here for more information.

POOLE - the BEAT VLE is now available

The BEAT VLE went live at Poole Hospital on 4 January, so staff can now access their training records online using this link: www.uhd.nhs.uk/vle

Please remember that your username is your 8-digit assignment number (do not include any dashes or additional numbers) and your password is your date of birth in this specific format of DD-Mon-YYYY, for example 04-Nov-1985. Please make sure you enter your login details carefully and correctly.

We have received a number of enquiries about the local induction topic in the VLE, and staff may notice that a number of other new topics are now included in their mandatory training requirements on the VLE, which coincides with a number of training frequency changes. Please click here for more guidance and information.

If you have any queries about the VLE at Poole please see the intranet, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call ext. 3608. More information can be found in the intranet ltest news.

RBH - urgent field safety notice: MAC VU360TM ECG systems

Incorrect patient identification and/or patient demographic errors have been noted with MAC VU360TM ECG systems.

Affected product details: All MAC VU360 systems P/N: 2030360-001 GTIN: 00840682125499

The cardiac department has been notified of two safety issues relating to the above mentioned ECG system. Please refer to the intranet for further information and safety instructions to mitigate against a potential adverse incident as a result of these issues.

RBH - replacement of defibrillators

During the week commencing 18 January RBH will have updated defibrillators installed. Daily checks remain the same using the dial instead of push buttons. All the information is on the resuscitation services intranet page.

The resus team will be out and about showing the device during the week commencing 11 January.

RBH - locker space request

Do you have a locker in the staff changing room at RBH that you would be prepared to give up for Covid workers?

Staff working in Covid areas are in need of lockers to store their change of clothes and belongings. If you can help please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Clinical audit training survey

The clinical audit teams at RBCH and Poole have recently merged, and part of that is to decide on the audit training provision for UHD.

We value your opinion on what clinical audit training you would like to be available, and hope that you will take the time to respond to our quick one page survey. The closing date is 7 February 2021.

Follow up and continuing practice for basic signing and communications course attendees

Thank you to all those who attended the bite sized communication and sign language courses held in 2020. These were made possible from a charity donation and organised by the pro ability network working with the Wiltshire and Dorset Deaf Association (WDDA).

We have had requests for refresher sessions and Lynn Preston, staff unit in the eye unit, has kindly offered to lead these for all attendees to continue to keep up their skills in the workplace.

Sessions are 30 minutes via Teams and start on Thursday 21 January. Please confirm your preferred time by clicking here to find your name. Alternatively contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Occupational English Test (OET) for HCSWs

The trust is funding a group to study for the Occupational English Test (OET) at Bournemouth and Poole College.

This programme is aimed at any overseas qualified nurses currently working in a healthcare support worker role who needs to achieve OET to apply for OSCE training and NMC registration.

If you would like to apply to be assessed for this course, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Sunday 24 January.

Covid-19 vaccine text scam alert

We have been alerted by different sources, to a scam that is now in wider circulation, that starts with a text and advises the user that they are eligible to apply for the vaccine.

Users are then invited to click on the link in the text message and are taken to a web page, again that looks very convincing. It goes on to ask for some personal information, for them to be able to apply for the vaccine. The details asked for:

• name
• address
• date of birth
• proof of address
• card payment details

With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue, as fraudsters continue to take advantage of the rollout to so many people. Recipients are advised to report this to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk

For more details on this scam check the informatics pages to visit the cyber and data security advice during the Covid-19 pandemic intranet page.

RBH - Missing hoverjack

Ward 9 is missing a hoverjack- please check your ward and return to ward 9 as soon as possible – contact ext. 4934

Staff discounts

Check the intranet to see discounts available for staff. Uber is currently offering a 25% staff discount on rides.

Care First webinars

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

• Thursday 14 January, 12-12.30pm - Wellbeing
• Friday 15 January, 12-12.30pm - Isolation and lonliness

Roadworks

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