Virtual tour lets families ‘walk round’ Bournemouth’s Neonatal Unit
A virtual tour of Neonatal Unit at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital has gone live, enabling families to ‘visit’ the ward and get a better understanding of what to expect if their child needs neonatal care.
The 3D tour is available on University Hospital Dorset’s website and can either be watched in one go or navigated at the user’s own pace. Information tags have been added to explain the different areas of the unit and the equipment used to help people familiarise themselves with the clinical area.
Specialist nurse Lucy Fairbrass said: “Our Neonatal Unit in the BEACH Building at Bournemouth is just a year old so this is a great opportunity to take a look inside and see the layout of the unit as well as hear typical sounds of the clinical environment.
“We hope the tour will help families prepare and know a little more about what to expect if their baby needs specialist care from our team in the BEACH, reducing uncertainty and supporting their wellbeing.”
You can watch the tour at www.uhd.nhs.uk/services/maternity/services/neonatal-unit
The tours can also be used by families whose children were cared for previously in the unit, and were produced in collaboration with the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal Partnership. Find out more at Unit Information - Neonatal Network South East
Feedback from those who have used virtual tours of the units have been really positive and include:
“This is such a gift for future parents! Preparing yourself for NICU is so difficult when you can't go inside. I wish I'd had this before my children were there as I know it would have helped me.”
“Amazing! We just showed our son where his bed was 9 years ago! Really good for him to see.”
Lucy Fairbrass, Specialist Nurse
A blessing from senior faith leaders
University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), recently welcomed The Rt Revd Rhiannon King, Bishop of Southampton, and The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, to their Chaplaincy Centre at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
It was the first visit from senior faith leaders since its opening in March 2025, and was an opportunity to both formally bless the space as well as licence its Lead Chaplain, Revd James Taylor.
James said: "Our Chaplaincy Centre welcomes patients, families, staff and visitors of all faiths and none to this sacred space at the heart of UHD. Chaplains, supported by chaplaincy volunteers, are based here every day of the year, carrying out visits across the wards and public areas of the hospital.
Since 2021 the Chaplaincy has been one unified service across UHD, which comprises Poole, the Royal Bournemouth. and Christchurch hospitals. Chaplains are highly valued by the Trust , and by our faith and belief communities that authorise and send them.
As Lead Chaplain, I take very seriously my public accountability to my faith community, the Church of England, and this visit shows how seriously the wider church takes the work of Chaplaincy.
I was also able to show them around our new environment at the Royal Bournemouth, where the bishops were delighted to meet and talk with some of our midwifery team. It was also a celebration of the journey that we have taken as a chaplaincy since moving onto the BEACH building almost a year ago.
I felt immense pride for the bishops to meet the chaplains and volunteers who make up our diverse team, and to show how we are working at the heart of the hospital to support our patients, their families, and our colleagues."
National award for hospice teams
Staff from Forset Holme Hospice and the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital have received Gold status awards for services to their profession, presented by University Hospitals Dorset's Chief Nursing Officer, Sarah Herbert.
The CQAS (Clinical Quality Accreditation Scheme) is a structured, externally validated process used to assess whether a clinical service meets defined, evidence‑based standards of quality, safety, and effectiveness. It acts as an independent assurance that a service is delivering care in line with recognised best practice.
Debbie Waters, Matron for Palliative Care, said: "I am incredibly proud that both our hospice teams, Macmillan Unit and Forest Holme, have been awarded Gold, a recognition that reflects the compassion, dedication, and excellence shown by every single member of our team.
This achievement celebrates the exceptional care we provide to patients and families, the strength of our collaborative teamwork and shared values, and our commitment to delivering safe, high‑quality, person‑centred hospice care. To our staff, volunteers, patients, families, and partners — thank you. This Gold award belongs to all of us.”
The Macmillan Unit Team with Sarah Herbert, UHD's Chief Nursing Officer
The Forset Holme Hospice Team
Delay in the move of services
University Hospitals Dorset is undergoing a £500m transformation to develop east Dorset’s major emergency hospital at Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) and the country’s largest planned care site at Poole Hospital.
We had been planning the next phase of our major service moves later this summer as part of this. These include Poole’s Emergency Department, critical care and child health inpatients moving to RBH.
Our main contractor for the Coast Building at RBH has now advised us of a delay in completion. The Coast is a vital part of our plans to safely transform services at RBH.
Our senior teams are working with the contractor to explore all options to mitigate any delay. We hope to share the new dates for our next phase of moves once this has completed at the end of March.
We thank all colleagues who have been involved with our planning and for our previous moves, including maternity and oncology inpatients from Poole Hospital to RBH.
Poole Hospital’s Emergency Department is still open to care for patients 24/7. Until the department moves to RBH, all child health services also remain at Poole, so if you feel your baby or child is in need of emergency care, please attend Poole.
Please also help us to help you get the right support you need and only call 999 if it is a life-threatening condition. If you are unsure, call NHS 111 in the first instance to get the right support for your care.
Cancer inpatient services move to Royal Bournemouth Hospital
University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has successfully relocated its oncology inpatient services and the Oncology Assessment Unit (Cancer SDEC) from Poole Hospital to the newly refurbished Oncology Ward at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH). All oncology and haematology inpatient admissions will take place at RBH.
Radiotherapy services will continue to be provided at Poole Hospital, and outpatient clinics and chemotherapy appointments will remain available at both Poole and Bournemouth sites. Cancer surgery will also continue to take place at Poole Hospital.
Bringing cancer inpatient services and Acute Oncology together on one site will strengthen clinical teamwork, streamline patient pathways, and improve the consistency and coordination of care. The move marks an important milestone in UHD’s programme to enhance specialist services following the Dorset Clinical Services Review.
Gemma Bryant, Acute Oncology Lead ACP, said of the move:
“The move today has gone really well, and we’re really excited to be in our new environment. All the teams have worked incredibly hard to ensure a smooth transition and to look after patients throughout the move.
The new assessment area and inpatient ward offer patients a much improved environment, including eight single rooms in the assessment unit so patients can be assessed privately.
Being on a specialist site also means patients are closer to other expert teams. For example, we’ve already had a patient reviewed by cardiology today - something made much easier by being together on one site.
It’s been a long time coming and we’re so pleased to finally be here.”
Susan Upward, a liver cancer patient who was previously admitted at Poole Hospital and transferred by ambulance to the new RBH ward, praised the new facilities:
“I was a bit apprehensive about the move, but this has been a wonderful experience. Staff have been so kind and helpful. The ward is so tranquil and tastefully decorated, and every detail has been thought through.
I will remember this room, it’s lovely. The temperature is perfect, which really makes a difference, and it feels like every consideration has been made for patients’ comfort.
It’s quiet and peaceful, and the whole atmosphere is very calming. It really helps with recovery.”
