Outpatients Assessment Clinic (OAC) - 'Think Big'

University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has relocated its Outpatients Assessment Clinic (OAC) to the former St Mary’s Maternity Unit in Poole, following confirmation that its current location in Beales department store in the Dolphin Centre has closed.

Originally launched in December 2021 as part of UHD’s innovative ‘Think Big’ initiative, the Beales clinic was developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It brought outpatient services into the heart of the community, significantly reducing waiting times and easing pressure on hospital sites.

Mark Mould, Chief Operating Officer at UHD, said:

“When we opened the Beales clinic, we were responding to unprecedented demand in the wake of Covid.

“Using lessons from the Nightingale hospitals, we created a high-quality, flexible outpatient space outside the traditional hospital setting.

“Since then, the clinic has gone from strength to strength – with over 75,000 patients seen across 19 specialties.

“While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to a site that’s served us so well, we’re excited to welcome patients to our new facility at St Mary’s, with the intention to continue to ‘think differently’ on how we provide clinical outpatient services.

“Our fantastic staff and volunteers have been key to the clinic’s success, and their commitment will ensure we maintain the same high standards as we transition to the new location.”

The new clinic at St Mary’s will continue to provide vital outpatient services including abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening, dermatology, dexa scans, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, phlebotomy and ultrasound. It opened to patients from Thursday 5 June, with clear signage and volunteer support in place to assist visitors.

Core breast screening services previously delivered at Beales will now be enhanced at Poole Hospital, with remaining facilities relocated to another UHD site.

Watch this video to hear from the team about the big day and what the move to St Mary’s means for our patients: https://youtu.be/BDzhVNkX1pY.