Public engagement events for the future of our health services

University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is inviting local residents to speak to clinical colleagues about the changes happening at UHD that will affect everyone who uses its services. The series of public engagement events are taking place in September and October at Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) with further events planned at the end of the year.

Clinicians from the surgical team will be available to answer questions about the new barn theatres at Poole Hospital, and the new emergency theatres at RBH.  They can also answer queries about how these changes will positively affect patients. Our team of midwives will be able to talk about the brand-new maternity unit that will be welcoming new babies in the BEACH building from April 2025, and our emergency department team will be there to chat to attendees and explain what changes will occur when RBH becomes an emergency care hospital and Poole Hospital becomes the elective care site. All these changes are crucial to improving services for everyone who uses them.

The event details are…

·         Tuesday 10 September, 6-8pm – Lecture theatre in the education centre at Poole Hospital

·         Thursday 26 September, 6-8pm – Lecture theatre in the education centre at RBH

·         Tuesday 8 October, 6-8pm - Lecture theatre in the education centre at Poole Hospital

·         Monday 21 October, 6-8pm - Lecture theatre in the education centre at RBH

Siobhan Harrington, chief executive at UHD said: “Exciting changes are happening across UHD and these will have a huge impact on the people of Dorset and anyone who uses our services. We want to help residents understand what these changes mean for them, their families, and friends by speaking to them and listening to their questions and any concerns.

“Big, positive changes have already happened across UHD and are making a real difference to patients. Stroke services moved from Poole Hospital to the Royal Bournemouth site earlier this year and having the service on one site is already making improvements in patient care, especially in reducing the average length of stay for patients.

“We know that change can be unsettling but we’re here to listen and help those with concerns through the changes.” 

Light refreshments will be provided, and parking is free for attendees. If you will be attending, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and telephone number. This is to help us with refreshment order.

If you are unable to attend the events and have a questions or concern, please email the communications team on the same email contact.

Ends.

Released by:

The communications team

Telephone: 0300 019 4905/2408

Notes to editors

All of our latest news releases can be seen on our website: www.uhd.nhs.uk

Join University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity for a fun-filled day on Saturday 28 September 2024 to raise funds for your local hospitals at our flagship Walk for Wards event.

You can walk a light 3km, fun 5km or even run a full 10km around the stunning historic grounds of Upton County Park and House. Every step will go towards raising funds for a ward or department that is close to your heart. Every route is accessible to participants of all ages and abilities. Sign up here. 

You can sign up individually, with friends, as a family, a community group or company. You can even bring your dogs along!

We have bought this event forward this year in the hope for some glorious weather to enjoy the live music, entertainment, stalls and refreshments. Hot Radio, our gold sponsor, will be there with us on the day, bringing extra fun and excitement to the event with live coverage and music.

We hope as many people as possible will join us for this popular event that is for all the family to make memories in support of our local hospitals.

After the walk, participants will be treated to two (large) complimentary slices of pizza, served by the lovely Liguoris Woodfire Pizzas. Participants and their loved ones are also welcome to bring their own food for a lovely picnic while enjoying live music and entertainment.

You can also support local crafters at a local makers’ market filled with unique gifts and tasty treats.

Kids will be able to enjoy colourful balloon art and face painting. Plus, our iconic, fuzzy Gully Bear will make a special appearance.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children and in the spirit of fundraising and enhancing our hospitals together, we are encouraging all participants to raise what they can through sponsorship for a ward or department of their choice.

Every person has a special reason to participate – it could be a personal experience of receiving care at our hospitals, honoring a loved one undergoing treatment, or simply wanting to say thank you to our NHS heroes who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional care. Last year, 330 people raised a phenomenal £24,000 for our Walk for Wards event.

Don’t miss out. We would love to see you there.

Finalist for national maternity award 

A maternity support worker at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has been shortlisted for a prestigious award, one of the highest in the country for the maternity profession.

Kerry Horley, who works at St Mary’s Maternity Unit in Poole, is one of four finalists in the ‘maternity support worker of the year’ category in the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Awards 2024.

The RCM Awards celebrates the very best of maternity care across the UK, commending outstanding teams and individuals who have made a positive impact on women, families, and their newborns by showcasing world-class midwifery standards.

Kerry has worked at UHD since 2019, and is now an assistant practitioner, supporting staff with their training and development, as well as leading on innovation projects and learning opportunities.

She said: “It was lovely to be recognised for the work I am doing across the unit, and I feel quite overwhelmed to have been shortlisted for a national award like this.”

“I’m fortunate to be able to bring various skills to the team throughout my time here so far, and am looking forward to an exciting new chapter for maternity care in Dorset, when we move to the Royal Bournemouth’s BEACH (Births, Emergency And Criticial care, children’s Health) Building next year. As much as St Mary’s is well-loved and holds lots of happy memories for people, this is a wonderful opportunity to continue to develop UHD maternity care in a new setting.”

“Working in maternity care and helping people along with their parenthood jounrey is such a rewarding experience, and I feel very lucky that we will be able to provide excellent care for families and babies in our new space, with some really incredible facilities.”

Kerry Taylor, head of midwifery at UHD, said: “We are extremely proud that Kerry has been shortlisted. She is one of our most inspirational maternity support workers, always ensuring that colleagues are trained and supported in the early days of their career, and with ongoing development.

Kerry is innovative and has produced a number of resources to support colleagues’ individual needs. She is a shining example for the profession, and we all wish her the very best of luck!”

Winners will be announced at the RCM Awards ceremony which will take place in London later this year.

One UHD family - a message of support from our Board of Directors 

The diversity of Team UHD is one of our greatest strengths.

Everyone who works here is a welcomed and valued part of the UHD family, no matter their background. We would not be able to provide the care we give our patients without our colleagues and the talent that they bring.

As the trust's Board of Directors, we know how upsetting and unsettling the race-related riots that are dominating the headlines have been. We also know that many of our colleagues face racist behaviour in their lives on a sadly regular basis.

We want to offer our full support to all colleagues, and to emphasise that we will not tolerate racism, discrimination or abuse at any time from anyone, be this from service users, their families, visitors, or colleagues.

Please report any incidents that have directly affected you, or that you have witnessed, to your line manager, HR, Occupational Health, or our Freedom To Speak Up guardians.

For colleagues, make use of ourThrivewellbeing pages and Anti Racism Guidance on our intranet. And please do talk to one another, and take the time to find out what you can do for each other.

If you need assistance or advice during this time, please reach out.

We are here to support our colleagues, and we thank them all for everything they do.