UHD Stakeholder Briefing: Changes at RBH ED – no impact on Poole emergency services

Sent on behalf of Dr Deborah Mayne, ED Consultant and UHD ED Clinical Director

Dear Colleague,

As part of the continued transformation of Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH), we're planning on making an important change to the location of the Emergency Department (ED), with no impact on Poole Hospital's emergency services.

Key Change – From 00:00 on 14 May 2025

• Subject to final approval, RBH's Emergency Department (including the UTC) will relocate to a new, purpose-built facility on the ground floor of the BEACH building, just 100 metres from its current location.
• Patients arriving on foot or by car should use the dedicated ED entrance at the front of the BEACH building.
• Ambulance crews will access new ambulance bays at the side of the building with direct access to Resus/ Rapid Assessment and Treatment (RATs) areas. This includes ambulance arrivals for maternity and critical care, who will use lifts to reach the correct floors.
• All other BEACH building services (e.g., maternity and critical care for walk-ins) will continue to use the main BEACH entrance.

Poole ED and UTC Remain Open as Usual

• Poole Hospital's ED and UTC are fully operational and will continue to receive patients.
• Poole remains the designated trauma unit.
• The care pathways for emergency and urgent care remain unchanged.
• UTCs at both RBH and Poole remain available for minor injuries and illnesses, helping direct patients to the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Transition Period – Night of 13–14 May

• Both the current and new RBH EDs will operate overnight for patient transfers.
• Some ambulances may be temporarily diverted to Poole or Dorset County Hospital during peak demand.
• GP referrals and 111 services remain unchanged.

Further Information

You can find updates on this year’s changes supporting our emergency and planned care strategy at: www.uhd.nhs.uk. For any questions, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you for your continued support as we improve services for patients and staff.

Dr Deborah Mayne

ED Consultant and UHD ED Clinical Director