Outstanding leadership award for hospital manager

A Head Orthoptist and service manager at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has won a prestigious national award for services to the orthoptic profession. 

Julie Dowdney was awarded the 'Outstanding Leadership' accolade by the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS) during their annual award ceremony held in Birmingham.

The award was presented by the ex-Chair of BIOS, Mrs Veronica Greenwood, OBE, and reflects Julie's dedication to her work as both Vice Chair of BIOS for two terms, as well as her role as Chair of the Leaders of the Orthoptic Profession. 

Julie, whose career at UHD spans over 20 years, has also been Chair for the Trailblazer Group, delivering the Orthoptic Apprenticeship Standard, a pre-registration apprenticeship route which will allow greater access into the profession by widening the entry criteria, enabling students who aren't able to enter the traditional university route to work whilst training. 

Julie said: "It is both humbling and wonderful to receive this award in recognition for my work to our professional body. The ceremony was a great night of celebraton for myself and my peers, and I'm very proud to have been acknowledged in this way."

University Hospitals Dorset nurse wins national nursing award

Sam Whittle, a Diabetes Specialist Nurse at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, has won the Innovation Award at the Diabetes Nursing Awards 2025 in recognition of her pioneering work to transform type 2 diabetes care.

Sam was praised for developing the “Refocusise” programme – an innovative eight-week diabetes rehabilitation initiative that combines structured education with tailored exercise sessions.

Created in collaboration with the Bournemouth Heart Club, the programme equips people living with type 2 diabetes with the tools they need to take control of their condition, improving both physical health and mental wellbeing.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sam said: “It is fantastic recognition for my work and winning this award will help raise the profile of our initiative.”

The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Radisson Blu, Bloomsbury in London on Friday, 6 June, hosted by GP and broadcaster Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE. Organised by Orange Juice Communications, the event recognised innovation, dedication and excellence in diabetes nursing.

Emily Mayhew, event organiser said: "Sam’s work is a brilliant example of how thinking differently and working collaboratively can lead to real, lasting change in patient care. The Refocusise programme is a testament to what’s possible with vision and determination."

For more information about the Diabetes Nursing Awards, visit: www.diabetesnursingawards.co.uk

The Diabetes Nursing Awards™ 2025 has been funded by A. Menarini Farmaceutica Internazionale SRL and embecta which have had no input into any arrangements or content.

UHD celebrates construction milestone at 'topping out' ceremony with Darwin Group

Tuesday 10 June marked the last structural element being placed at the top of Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s new Coast Building, in a symbolic 'topping out' ceremony.

Darwin Group®, the healthcare estates specialist, has delivered and installed the highest point of Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s new Coast Building. Construction started on the site in November 2024 following a ground-breaking ceremony.

Royal Bournemouth Hospital, part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (UHD), is also part of the NHS’s national New Hospital Programme.

Darwin Group has expertly designed and is now constructing, delivering, and installing the Coast Building. It will contain a modern ward and catering block to expand the hospital’s patient capacity and elevate University Hospital Dorset’s services.

The topping out ceremony was organised collaboratively between UHD and Darwin Group, and guests included the Trust’s chief executive and senior leadership team, senior leaders from the NHS’s New Hospital Programme, and key stakeholders, including Tom Hayes, MP Bournemouth East and Councillor Millie Earl, Leader, BCP Council.

Nick Dawe, managing director for Darwin Group, said:

“It’s been a pleasure to be part of today’s topping out ceremony at Royal Bournemouth Hospital and to hear the excitement from Trust staff on how much of a positive impact this new building, and the facilities it will house, will bring to their working experience, as well as for patients in Bournemouth.

“We’re proud to continue our close collaboration with the Trust on the Coast Building and look forward to handing over this project successfully in 2026.”

Darren Crook CBE, programme delivery director for the NHS New Hospital Programme, added:

“Reaching the topping out milestone at the Coast Building is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. It reflects the hard work, collaboration and commitment of UHD, Darwin Group, and the wider New Hospital Programme.

“This new facility will make a meaningful difference to staff and patients at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and it’s great to see real progress on the ground as we work together to deliver modern, sustainable infrastructure for the NHS of the future.”

Siobhan Harrington, chief executive for University Hospitals Dorset, also shared her thoughts:

“The topping out of the Coast Building marks a major milestone for Royal Bournemouth Hospital and for our communities across Dorset.

"The new facility is a vital part of our wider transformation – designed to expand capacity, modernise care, and meet future demand.

"I’m incredibly proud of the teamwork and dedication that’s brought us to this point, and look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have for generations to come.”

The Coast Building will feature 110 new beds across four floors, a larger kitchen and catering facility. Spanning 10,800 square meters, the facility also reflects a commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction with renewable energy supported by photovoltaic panels.

The construction work programme has been designed to minimise disruptions to the site over the duration of the project and is planned to open in 2026.

New ED Streaming and Redirection tool enhances patient experiences at UHD

Patients arriving at the Emergency Departments (EDs) and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) and Poole Hospital will benefit from an innovative NHS Streaming and Redirection (S and R) tool designed to improve patient flow and reduce waiting times.

This tool, which is clinically validated, guides patients through a series of questions and performs a clinical assessment using an NHS algorithm. Based on the results, the system assigns an acuity score and one of four possible outcomes. These could be:

• A booked appointment in the ED

• A scheduled appointment with a GP or primary care practitioner

• A review by an initial assessment nurse for further clinical judgment

• Redirection away from the ED (not yet in operation, currently under validation)

Bruce Hopkins, ED Matron explained, “This approach allows us to manage demand more effectively. For example, patients who are booked into later appointments can leave the department and return at a designated time, often within 90 minutes, rather than spending hours in the waiting room. This improves their experience and helps staff manage patient flow more predictably.”

Early results show encouraging signs. Speaking at midday on the day of launch at RBH, Bruce said, “We’ve been live since 9:30 this morning, and already around 60 patients have used the tool. Ordinarily, we might expect only a couple of booked appointments by now. Today, we’ve had more than 20.”

Patients have responded positively. One patient commented, “That was really efficient service.” After using the tool, she was given a prompt appointment, went for a coffee nearby, and was seen and discharged within half an hour of returning.

The tool was launched at RBH on 4 June and launches at Poole Hospital on 11 June. RBH currently has four devices in use, with two additional lower-height, accessible models. Both hospitals will also offer assistance to patients through the reception team to help them use the tool effectively.

It is important to note that it is not a substitute for seeing a GP.

The Trust will continue to monitor and refine the service as more patients use the tool in the coming weeks.

Watch this video to hear from our team as they explain how the tool enhances patient flow and reduces wait times.