University Hospitals Dorset improves care for heart patients with new technology
The cardiology team at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) is the first outside of London to use a revolutionary new technology to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
AF is the most common heart rhythm abnormality seen in the UK, and can be an extremely disabling condition, commonly causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, tiredness, and palpitations.
Previously, cardiologists have treated AF invasively through targeting and abolishing the electrical signals in the heart responsible for triggering the arrhythmia, by burning them away. The procedure carries a small risk of causing damageto surrounding areas, such as the oesophagus.
In group photo from left to right - Anna Ibbotson (radiographer), John Payne (cath lab nurse), Aikaterini Papadopetraki (cath lab nurse), Dr Hussein El Abiary (anaesthetist), Dr Richard Bala (cardiologist), Chris Maynard (radiographer), James Thomas (physiologist), Steve Robinson (Johnson and Johnson company support) and Clare Atha (physiologist).
With the Johnson and Johnson pulsed field ablation technology system, an electrical field is applied across the heart to target irritible heart tissue thought to trigger AF. The heart is accessed using a smaller plastic tube than previously used which is inserted via the groin, reducing the risk of injury, bleeding, and bruising and allowing earlier mobilisation after the procedure. This technique also allows for a 3D map of the heart to be created, reducing the risk of unnecessary exposure to x-rays for the patient.
One of the first patients to be treated with this technology is Jackie Dexter, 58, from Broadstone. She said: “I was anxious about the procedure, and I am excited it’s now done. I am hoping not to have irregular heartbeats anymore, and no further damage to my heart. I have total confidence in the team and want to thank them for looking after me so well.”
Dr Richard Bala, consultant in cardiac electrophysiology, said: “As the second highest volume centre in the country for this technology, our team has a catchment of Dorset, West Hampshire, and South Wiltshire, serving approximately 1m people. This new procedure is quicker and safer for our patients, with excellent results seen globally, and we are very happy and excited to be providing this treatment for our local population.”
Prestigious award for 'role model' maternity support worker
A “patient and compassionate” maternity support worker from University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has won a coveted award from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), recognising the importance and value of her role in providing holistic care to women and their families.
Kerry Horley, who was described as a “quiet leader” by her peers, recently took on the role of assistant practitioner in the trust, leading on maternity support worker (MSW) development. She was also recognised for developing this role significantly, taking the lead for training maternity support workers within Maternity.
Kerry has advanced the local maternity induction programme for new MSWs joining the trust and has been working closely with the recruitment and retention midwife to find ways of attracting and keeping new MSWs.
The RCM’s Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said: “By working with new MSWs, Kerry empowers them to be able to provide the best care possible. She recognised there was a gap in their knowledge and skill set due to not having a local breastfeeding lead, so she reached out to the local university to provide this training.
“She works hard to ensure the new starters are equipped with all the training and skills they need to perform their job effectively, reviewing them regularly, supporting with probationary reviews and assessing their care certificate and maternity passport skills.
“Kerry is a shining example in the way she actively seeks out learning opportunities and grabs them with both hands to develop herself in order to fulfil her job role and exceed expectations.”
Kerry said: “The awards ceremony was an uplifting experience with so much positivity, and it was great to hear how other MSWs have contributed to maternity care services nationally.”
“When you feel all of the pressures of work, this award has really highlighted how worthwhile it is to be recognised for your efforts, and it’s been so lovely to know how much of a difference my role has made to the maternity support worker team.”
Congrats, Kerry!
National acclaim for consultant physiotherapist
A consultant physiotherapist has received a presitigous excellence award from NHS England (NHSE) for services to his profession.
Matthew Low, consultant physiotherapist, at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), has been awarded the ‘Chief Allied Health Professions Officers Gold Award for Excellence 2024’, representing the field of physiotherapy.
Announced on Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day on 14 October, the new award commemorates a decade of service for Professor Suzanne Rastrick, Chief AHP for NHSE, with recipients honoured for their “outstanding and exceptional contribution to their work.”
Matthew, who has worked as a consultant physiotherapist at UHD for six years, is also a visiting fellow from the Orthopaedic Research Institute at Bournemouth University, and has previously been involved in a groundbreaking international research study into complex medical conditions.
Mattthew said: “I’m very proud and honoured to have received this award. It means a lot to me to be recognised at a national level and be one of the 22 well-deserving recipients across our diverse AHP workforce. Receiving this accolade would not have been possible without my colleagues and friends at UHD, and this award is as much for them as it is for me.”
Professor Rastrick said: “The recipients of this award represent the very best of their AHP community, consistently leading by example, demonstrating strong NHS values and high levels of commitment and quality throughout their role. I have had the privilege of personally identifying individuals who have strengthened the work that I and my team have undertaken over the past ten years, and I thank them most sincerely for their contribution.”
Siobhan Harrington, chief executive officer at UHD, said: "I am delighted to see Matthew recognised in this way. Every day, our allied health professionals at UHD play a crucial role in helping patients live their lives as fully as possible, and Matthew is no exception. This is a much-deserved honour, and we wish him many congratulations."
UK's first ever norovirus vaccine trial to take place at Bournemouth Research Hub
People living in Hampshire and Dorset are invited to participate in an innovative norovirus vaccine trial.
There are currently no approved vaccines for norovirus, and this is the first such trial in the UK.
Moderna’s NOVA Trial will evaluate the safety and immune response of an investigational vaccine aimed at preventing norovirus and its serious symptoms.
Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting disease, causes gastroenteritis and is highly infectious. The virus is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals from one person to another.
Outbreaks are common in semi-enclosed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and cruise ships and can also occur in restaurants and hotels. The virus is usually mild and lasts for 1 to 2 days. Symptoms include vomiting, projectile vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. Most people make a full recovery within a couple of days but it can be dangerous for the very young and elderly people.
Wessex Research Hubs is running the trial at three sites in the region; Bournemouth, Portsmouth, and Weymouth.
Doctor Patrick Moore, co-director of Wessex Research Hubs and Chief Investigator of the trial in the UK, said: “We are really pleased to be able to play an important role in helping find an effective vaccine against this highly contagious disease. Outbreaks of norovirus have huge consequences, both on our health systems and our economy. If you’re interested in helping us advance healthcare, please do come forward to take part in this innovative trial.”
Dr Patrick Moore speaking to Channel 5 News' Simon Vigar about the new trial
Norovirus is a frequent cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in NHS hospitals. Outbreaks are reported on the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS).
Sarah Herbert, Chief Nursing Officer at UHD, said: “From my experience, norovirus outbreaks can cause significant disruption in hospitals, leading to ward closures and affecting both staff and patients, especially those who are most vulnerable. As an example, between October 2023 and October 2024, 231 beds across UHD were occupied by patients with norovirus."
"The development of a vaccine offers a promising path to reducing these disruptions and safeguarding patient health. I am proud that our Bournemouth Research Hub is playing a key role in this vital initiative, and I encourage everyone to consider participating in this important trial to help us make a real difference."
How to take part:
Trial participants must be
- Aged 18 years – 80 years
- In good health
The trial lasts approximately one year and includes at least 6 in-person visits to the clinical trial site.
Participants receive one injection in the upper arm, and are assigned to receive either the investigational vaccine or a placebo. A placebo contains no active ingredients and is used as a comparison to understand whether the investigational vaccine works and is safe
Participants will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. Participation in the NOVA Trial will last approximately 1 year and includes at least 6 in-person visits to a clinical trial site and 5 phone calls with the trial team.
UHD launches community diagnostic imaging centre at HSU
University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is pleased to have launched an additional diagnostic imaging centre based at Health Sciences University.
Health Sciences University has leased 130m2 space on the ground floor of its Clinic building to UHD to give the NHS extra capacity for diagnostic imaging. The new UHD diagnostic imaging centre houses a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner and ultrasound facilities. A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the inside of the body. Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create images of part of the inside of the body.
In February 2023 AECC University College (since renamed Health Science University) was named by NHS England as one of the Dorset Community Diagnostic Centre ‘spoke’ sites, with funding provided to support the development of a CT and ultrasound suite onsite.
The provision of spoke sites aims to reach into known areas of deprivation to support the levelling up of health and health care inequalities and to enable the development of place-based partnerships. These partnerships offer the NHS the opportunity to work with communities, anchor institutions, local authorities, and local enterprise partnerships to tackle health and wellbeing across Dorset.
The new UHD diagnostic imaging department complements HSU’s own in-house Clinical Imaging Services, which include an open upright MRI scanner (one of only seven in the country), ultrasound clinic, and X-Ray department. Patients can be referred to the HSU imaging services by all registered health care professionals as well as GPs, providing an additional resource to help alleviate pressure on the NHS.
Mark Mould, UHD’s Chief Operating Officer, added:
“The national Community Diagnostic Centres programme has allowed us to work with partners across Dorset to expand diagnostics in community settings.
“With Poole Hospital as the major elective care hub for east Dorset, alongside sites in Weymouth, Dorchester, Beales at Poole, we are delighted to welcome Health Sciences University (HSU) as our newest partner, further improving accessibility to care.
“By strategically placing these spoke sites, we’re tackling health disparities and ensuring access to diagnostics reaches communities that need it most.
“Our partnership with HSU, offering strong educational links in radiography and ultrasonography, also plays a key role in developing a skilled local workforce to support healthcare across Dorset.”
Vice-Chancellor of HSU, Professor Lesley Haig, said:
“This is an exciting new venture with UHD and we are delighted to be able to support the Trust in this way. As Dorset’s only provider of pre-registration radiography courses and with our onsite clinical imaging services, our working partnership with UHD is critical in supporting the development of future workforce as well as enhancing patient access to diagnostic services.
“Our imaging partnership started with the commissioning of Ultrasound services here on campus in March 2021 as part of Covid-19 Recovery. Since then, we have undertaken 10,000 scans as part of a collaboration between UHD and HSU. We have also been working with UHD to develop a pan-Dorset Radiography Academy, to secure a partnership approach to training Dorset’s future radiography workforce. We also hosted a mobile MRI unit on our campus last year, to support UHD in providing additional capacity for important community-based diagnostic imaging.
“We look forward to working closely with UHD colleagues going forward, as part of our commitment to supporting the development of the health workforce and in supporting the delivery of healthcare in Dorset.”
