Verdict in the trial of Lucy Letby
The importance of speaking up
Following the outcome of the trial of Lucy Letby, the NHS nationally has expressed its profound apologies to all of the families.
Here at University Hospitals Dorset, we are working tirelessly to provide you and your loved ones with the very best care. We would also like to reassure you, and our future patients and families, that steps are being taken across the NHS to keep patients safe.
These unspeakable crimes have shocked and sickened staff across the NHS and within our hospitals here in Dorset, just as they have the entire nation. These acts were a profound betrayal of patient trust, and we appreciate how distressed and concerned this can leave people feeling.
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that there will be an independent, non-statutory inquiry into the events at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Although these appalling crimes were the actions of a single individual, this case is a stark reminder of how important it is that the NHS listens carefully to the concerns of patients, families and staff.
We want everyone to feel safe and confident to speak up. If you have any questions or concerns about the care we are providing or you need to raise a safety concern, please speak to a member of staff or contact our PALS team. You can reach them on 0300 019 8499 or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If you are a member of staff then there are a number of ways you can raise any concerns, including through your line managers, occupational health, staff governors, using our LERN forms, chaplains, education team and our HR team.
Our Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) service is another option for all staff members. You can find the contact details under F on the intranet and on our @UHD app.
Choose the right services during industrial action
During times of industrial action affecting health services, our priority is to provide safe care. Please help us by choosing the right services for your needs.
Key information for hospital appointments and patients
· Help us keep our emergency departments clear for life-threatening emergencies by choosing the right service for you
· Regrettably, while some appointments may be going ahead, a number of procedures are being postponed to help keep our patients safe
· Any patients affected will be contacted directly. Please check your voicemail as we may leave a message
· No-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen in our emergency departments.
Use NHS 111 online or by phone for other urgent care needs. If you are contacting 111, please give as much information as you can, as that will help you get the right support and advice.
For non-urgent care services please contact your GP practice to make an appointment.
Mental health support
If you need mental health support call Connection on 0800 652 0190. The Connection service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Visit your local pharmacy
Pharmacies can help with allergies, constipation, headaches, earaches and many other ailments.
Find a pharmacy near you.
Patient discharge
Staying in hospital for longer than necessary can have a negative impact on how well patients recover. Most patients will continue to recover at home once they leave hospital. In fact, many patients need to leave hospital to be able to complete their recovery fully.
Help us get patients who are ready for discharge home so our hospital beds are available for people who need them most urgently. Please speak to the ward team if you need more information and respond quickly to any calls from us about your relative leaving hospital.
How to help your NHS during industrial action
Hospital consultants will be taking part in 48 hours of planned industrial action from 7am on Thursday 20 July until 7am on 22 July.
Our priority is to provide safe care. Please choose the right services for your needs during this time.
Key information for hospital appointments and patients
· Help us keep our emergency departments clear for life-threatening emergencies by choosing the right service for you
· Regrettably, while some appointments may be going ahead, a number of procedures are being postponed to help keep our patients safe
· Any patients affected will be contacted directly. Please check your voicemail as we may leave a message
· No-one should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes and people with serious, life-threatening conditions will continue to be seen in our emergency departments.
Use NHS 111 online or by phone for other urgent care needs. If you are contacting 111, please give as much information as you can, as that will help you get the right support and advice.
For non-urgent care services please contact your GP practice to make an appointment.
Mental health support
If you need mental health support call Connection on 0800 652 0190. The Connection service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Visit your local pharmacy
Pharmacies can help with allergies, constipation, headaches, earaches and many other ailments.
Find a pharmacy near you.
Patient discharge
Staying in hospital for longer than necessary can have a negative impact on how well patients recover. Most patients will continue to recover at home once they leave hospital. In fact, many patients need to leave hospital to be able to complete their recovery fully.
Help us get patients who are ready for discharge home so our hospital beds are available for people who need them most urgently. Please speak to the ward team if you need more information and respond quickly to any calls from us about your relative leaving hospital.
UHD anaesthetists rewarded for high quality patient care
University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has been accredited under the prestigious Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) demonstrating their commitment to patient safety and excellence of care.
ACSA is the RCoA’s peer-reviewed scheme that promotes quality improvement and the highest standards of anaesthetic service. To receive accreditation, departments are expected to demonstrate high standards in areas such as patient experience, patient safety and clinical leadership.
Dr Deepa Kallayiram, Consultant Anaesthetist at UHD, said: “A lot of perseverance, resilience, team effort, engagement and cooperation from colleagues across all three sites was key to achieving the accreditation.
“Increased morale and team spirit was one of the positive outcomes from this process and we are very proud of maintaining our ACSA accreditation and achieving re-accreditation.
ACSA lead reviewer, Seema Quasim said: “I would like to congratulate the Anaesthetic Department of UHD on achieving ACSA accreditation.
“The department has shown their cohesiveness despite being located on several sites and they have clearly worked hard to deliver excellent anaesthetic care across their hospitals after the merger of Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital. They have maintained a strong patient-focus after pandemic recovery and have adapted well to the new era. They have shown themselves to be forward-thinking and willing to surmount challenges. The department is really welcoming and there are some great wellbeing initiatives in place and I think it would be an attractive place to work. They should be proud of their achievements.”
First patient helps celebrate hospital theatres opening
University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) staff and partners came together on Tuesday (18 July) to see patient Julie Hills cut the ribbon to officially open the new Poole Hospital theatres.
The five-storey, purpose-built theatres are an extension to the existing hospital building. They incorporate a four-table open-plan ‘barn’ theatre, with each patient treated in a dedicated space with an ultra-clean air canopy over each station.
Following the cutting of the ribbon, guests were invited to tour the new facilities, after which Jacqueline Swift, HM Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
In the future, the consolidation of planned care on the Poole Hospital site will provide rapid treatment of elective operations without the disruption or delay that can occur from high volumes of emergency cases having to take precedence. Thousands of patients each year will benefit from shorter waiting times because of the greater efficiencies associated with establishing a planned care hospital.
Siobhan Harrington, UHD chief executive, said:
“This is an important milestone for our hospital trust as we officially open this state-of-the art new surgical hub.
“The new building is at the centre of our plans to create the major planned care hospital for our region, helping to shorten waiting times, provide easier access to planned care and to deliver better outcomes for patients.
“Despite the many challenges the NHS faces, today we celebrate the many people who worked tirelessly to get us to today, the bright future for Poole Hospital, and the long-term investment that will help transform care in Dorset.”
Dr Isabel Smith, UHD medical director of strategy and transformation, added:
“The ‘barn’ theatre and facilities within the building will increase efficiency, meaning more patients will be seen sooner.
“The safety of care will also be enhanced because we can work more as a collaborative team.
“As a consultant anaesthetist, I have seen first-hand the real buzz in the theatres among my colleagues - we all enjoy working here and we are hoping that this will attract more staff, as we need more to deliver what we want.
“The opening of this surgical hub is an important step on the journey to create the separation of planned and emergency care.
“We are not there yet, but in the meantime, this site will allow us to carry out operations a lot more safely and efficiently.”
The £500m transformation of services will mean that during 2025 Poole Hospital will become the major planned care hospital for the region, able to offer high quality elective care, protected from emergency pressures.
The major emergency hospital currently being developed at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital includes the new 22,650m² BEACH Building, housing a new purpose-built maternity unit, children's unit, enhanced emergency department and critical care unit.
The highlights from the day can be seen here
