New endoscopy hub gets put through its paces

The new Dorset Endoscopy Diagnostic Hub at Poole Hospital is being tried and tested ahead of welcoming its first patients next week.

To test the facility, colleagues have been undergoing simulation training, where life like scenarios are constructed by our in-house Simulation Team, enabling them to get to know their way around the facility and make adjustments where needed.

Jacqueline Annor, Simulation Practitioner said:

“The simulation was designed to see how the new endoscopy building will work in real life. By acting out real patient journeys and processes, we could spot any issues, refine processes and make sure the space works safely and smoothly for both patients and staff before it opens.”

The simulations also play an important role in familiarising colleagues with the new facilities and ensuring they are confident running their endoscopy services within the new hub. One staff member commented:

"The simulation helped to familiarise myself with the unit and the patient pathway, plus having the opportunity to address concerns honestly and the (simulation) team are very supportive. I am no longer anxious about moving to the new building and I am feeling confident"

The new endoscopy hub will be an outpatient facility treating non-acute conditions that support a patient’s planned care. It will enable us to treat more patients, reduce waiting times and enhance the overall patient experience.

Watch Dr Sally Parry, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Clinical Endoscopy Lead (Poole), and Dr Imogen Williams, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Clinical Director for Speciality Medicine as they talk about the new unit:

Stroke Team celebrates national award nomination

A patient-led approach to improving stroke services has earned the Stroke Team at University Hosptals Dorset a national award nomination.

The team has been shortlisted in the ‘Emerging Good Practice’ category at the Picker Experience Network (PEN) Awards, recognising its commitment to working in partnership with patients and the public to enhance stroke care.

As part of the project, the team recently hosted an experience-based co-design workshop at Christchurch Hospital, bringing together more than 20 people who had received thrombolysis, alongside others with lived experience of stroke care and treatment.

L-R: Antony Smith-Stroke Nurse Consultant | Tanya Davies-Stroke Quality and Performance Manager | Stephanie Heath-Stroke Nurse 

Stephanie Heath, Stroke Nurse, said: "The workshop was a huge success. It gave us the opportunity to listen to our patients and recognise that they are the experts in their own experiences, becoming true partners in helping us design higher-quality services that deliver what really matters to patients.

"It also gave our team a chance to have meaningful conversations with people about their experiences of stroke services away from clinic and ward environments. Staff really valued these unique insights into aspects of stroke care that they may not have considered before."

The work forms part of a national programme aimed at improving access to acute stroke treatments and enhancing patient pathways, including the use of thrombolysis, an emergency medicine that can help restore blood flow to the brain following certain types of stroke. 

The team hopes the project will continue to strengthen stroke services across Dorset while ensuring patients remain at the heart of future improvements.

Antony Smith, Stroke Nurse Consultant, said: "Bringing stroke services together at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital has created a single specialist team and a more consistent pathway for patients requiring emergency stroke treatment. This has enabled us to focus quality improvement work on one service and apply learning more consistently.

"It also means that feedback from patients through initiatives such as this co-design event can be translated into improvements across the entire hyperacute stroke pathway."

Antony added: "The biggest message we want people to remember is not just recognising the symptoms of a stroke, but acting immediately. Even one FAST symptom is enough to call 999.

"When it comes to stroke, every minute matters because rapid treatment can dramatically improve outcomes and reduce disability."

Former colleague sentenced after serious offence

Paul Ernest Cruz, 38, a former member of staff at Royal Bournemouth Hospital was found guilty in Bournemouth Crown Court of sexual assault on a patient in our Emergency Department in July 2023.

Sarah Herbert our Chief Nursing Officer, said: “This should have never happened in our hospital. We would like to sincerely apologise to the victim and her family for this assault that took place while she was in our care. We worked closely with Dorset Police on the investigation and thank them and our colleagues who provided evidence to ensure this conviction. We have strengthened our chaperone policy to ensure appropriate protection for all our patients.”

Cruz was a band 5 nurse who worked in our Emergency Department, from September 2021 until he was suspended in 2023 following his arrest. We dismissed him following this and referred him to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

We reviewed patient feedback during his period of employment and to date no further concerns have been raised. However, if any former patient has any concerns about the care that they received, they can leave a message, with contact details, on 0300 019 1000. Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police online at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.

Join us for our Annual Members' Meeting 2026

University Hospitals Dorset’s (UHD) Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM) will be held at 10am on Thursday 24 September 2026.

The event, which will also be live streamed via Microsoft Teams, will include presentations from Chief Executive, Siobhan Harrington, and Chief Finance Officer, Pete Papworth, on the 2025/26 Annual Report and Accounts, and 2026/27 forward plan.

Our external auditors, KPMG, will present their External Audit Findings, followed by amendments to the Trust Constitution presented by our Director of Corporate Governance.

Michele Whitehurst, Lead Governor, will also give a presentation from the Council of Governors (CoG). 

The meeting agenda can be found here.

To view the minutes of the Annual Members' Meeting 2025 please click here.

There will be an understanding health talk on Looking ahead: Big changes in the year ahead and shaping the future of your Trust over the next five years with Dr Isabel Smith, Medical Director Strategy and Transformation and Richard Renaut, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. This will take place immediately after the AMM.

The meeting will be held in The Patient First Improvement Hub, Christchurch Hospital, Fairmile Road, Christchurch BH23 2JX.

Parking and bus routes

There will be free parking in car park A at Christchurch Hospital. Bus route:24, New Forest Breezer 81 and 82.

Booking

Booking is encouraged due to limited capacity. Any information regarding accessibility requirements should be given when booking your place. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with names and contact details of who would like to attend or call 0300 019 8723.

Submitting questions

If you would like to submit a question at the AMM, please also send this to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Thursday 17 September. Questions submitted in advance will be prioritised at the meeting.