Staff Bulletin 1 March 2022

Reminder on Covid restrictions including lateral flow tests and self-isolation

• We all need to continue to wear face masks in our hospitals, including visitors, and observe social distancing wherever possible
• If you have no symptoms of Covid-19, take lateral flow tests twice a week, and continue to log your results
• If identified as a contact of someone with confirmed Covid-19, self-isolate and take a PCR test. If positive, continue to self-isolate and take a lateral flow test on day six. You may return to work after risk assessment after two consecutive days of negative lateral flow tests after day six
• Lateral flow tests should be ordered here.

Please support our under-pressure teams

A number of teams and departments continue to experience significant staffing issues as a result of Covid-19, leading to some delays in service provision. This includes our pharmacy teams, who are currently offering a reduced priority service and encouraging medicine requests to be sent through as soon as possible each day, to avoid sudden spikes in demand.

Is your department on the move?

Remember to make the enquiry (reception) desks at our main entrances aware of any changes affecting your location so they can direct our visitors to the correct area. Also remember to let delivery drivers know exactly where you are in the building. The main entrance area cannot hold correspondence or parcels as they have no secure area to keep this.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any updates.

Watch the film before your resus refresher training

Refresher resuscitation training has changed.

Staff must watch a 45 minute video and pass the online MCQ assessment otherwise staff will not be able to complete their training.

The two hour session training on basic life support (level 2 resus) training is now spilt into two elements; eLearning and a 30 minute face to face practical session.

Training has not changed at Poole or for new trust inductions and all sessions can be booked via ESR.

Last chance to apply for our registered nurse degree apprenticeships

This is the last chance to apply for our registered nurse degree apprenticeships, a great opportunity to earn while you learn and gain your nursing registration. Applications can still be made here and applications close on 6 March. A level 3 qualification, maths and English GCSE's or equivalent are needed.

More information can be found on the vocational qualifications pages under training on the intranet.

Reminder: support for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine

The secretary of state for health, Sajid Javid, has written a letter aimed at all Ukrainian health and social care staff living and working in the UK, outlining that those who are on work, study or visit visas in the UK will have their visas temporarily extended or be able to switch onto different visa routes.

• If you are concerned, please talk to your line manager, and remember that our wellbeing support services and staff networks are also available to support staff at these times. In addition, our employee assistance programme provider, Carefirst, can be contacted on 0800 174 319.
• Jonathan Harding, Helen Martin or Deb Matthews, from our OD/HR teams, can also be contacted directly.

Our prayer spaces across all our sites are open and tomorrow they will be available all day for prayer or meditation (Wednesday). There will be opportunities to write a message of hope and peace and to light a peace candle. At 12pm tomorrow all staff are welcome to join a short prayer service on each site, with the opportunity to join the service live on the trust's Facebook account.

For further updates on the prayer service and how we can support our colleagues please check the intranet latest news.

An exciting new sustainability programme is coming... and we need your help!

We're developing a new engagement programme that rewards colleagues for taking part in a range of sustainability and wellbeing related actions – and we're asking you to put forward suggestions for its name.

Working with colleagues across Dorset we're developing a new engagement programme that rewards colleagues for taking part in a range of sustainability and wellbeing related actions – and we're asking you to put forward suggestions for its name.

The initiative will have a number of sustainability and wellbeing themes where staff can check out activities they want to participate in and earn points for doing so, including:

• saving energy and water
• sustainable travel choices
• waste and recycling
• engagement and spread
• wellbeing and lifestyle

Teams will 'compete' against each other and individual staff can also play against their colleagues for 'Green Points' and rewards, which will include vouchers and donations to charities.

What can you do to help?

We are looking for a name that:

• is engaging, clear, logical and descriptive
• will stand the test of time
• preserves the existing overall positive regard for our organisation

UHD is leading on the naming process and putting forward a name is simple – just send your suggestion to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with 'Sustainability programme name' in the subject line. Please add your name and your role/organisation if you can.

Suggestions must be received by 7 March, following which the shortlisting panel (comprising of representatives from our sustainability champions and central team) will then make the final selection.

The name will be announced to coincide with programme launch in the Spring.

Thanks for your ideas and support.

RBH: Café West is here with special opening offer

The transformation of the west entrance and reception area at RBH has been completed with the opening this week of the new 'Café West' coffee shop (28 February). The new facility provides a range of hot and cold drinks alongside a selection of snacks and is currently open on weekdays between 8am and 3pm. Once the full team are in post the opening hours will be extended and the menu extended to add hot snacks, sandwiches and salads.

For a limited period to celebrate its opening for every coffee purchased customers will be offered a free snack (offer subject to availability).

Join gender identity awareness workshops

Our gender identity workshops will give LGBTQ+ and gender identity awareness training to attendees, enabling them to discuss and understand the complex issues around gender in an interactive and thought provoking way.

To find out more click here.