UHD heroes celebrated at the Dorset Hero Awards

A huge congratulations to our UHD Dorset Hero Awards winners. The Dorset Hero awards are an opportunity for members of the public to nominate individuals and teams across Dorset who have made a difference in the last twelve months.

Our theatres team took home the healthcare team award for their tireless work during the pandemic. The team were recognised for everything they have done to keep patients safe, reorganising theatres to create additional ITU space while still running emergency and critical care for non-Covid patients.

Poole Hospital volunteer Andy Byers won the 999 award for his work supporting the emergency services. In 2020 Andy came out of retirement to volunteer, he averages 15,000 steps per shift cleaning high touch areas and directing patients at the North Entrance. Andy is currently completing the Captain Tom 100 with 100 voluntary shifts for the NHS at Poole and the BIC vaccination centre.

Click here to watch the online ceremony.

Nominations are open for the 2021 UHD Junior Doctor Awards

The UHD Junior Doctor Awards is an opportunity for us all to recognise all that our junior doctors achieve, deliver, and represent. Everyone is encouraged to take part by nominating the junior doctors that are making a difference in our hospitals.

Nominations are open now using the below links. Please include the name of the junior doctor, their department and why you are nominating them. Nominations close on 18 June.

Click here to nominate a junior doctor working at PH
Click here to nominate a junior doctor working at RBH or XCH.

Catch up on the staff briefing with chief executive Debbie Fleming

Did you miss the all staff briefing hosted by chief executive Debbie Fleming and chairman David Moss? A wide range of topics relevant to all staff were covered. Click here to catch up and stay up to date with all things UHD.

Heatwave plan, plus PPE reminder for weekend

As the temperature rises we will need to review how we are able to safely cool areas without increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. All areas should be looking at ways of encouraging natural air flow into their departments by opening windows but will need to be conscious of the impact of heat build-up.

Fans and methods of air cooling can be used but must be risk assessed. Please see the IPC section on the intranet for more details about fans.

Simple rules to follow:

• Fans should blow towards natural ventilation exit points
• Fans should not blow over one person to another
• Fans should be regular inspected for cleanliness
• Avoid the use of non-bladed fans (these are very difficult to keep clean) and large floor based fans (these blow any dirt and debris from the floor)

Air conditioning units can be used but this is subject to approval from estates teams. All methods of air cooling should not create or increase other risks for example trip hazards and water safety.

Wearing PPE in hot environments increases the risk of heat stress, which can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke. All clinical area temperatures should be monitored and controlled and all staff (and patients) should ensure they remain well hydrated.

Clinical areas should plan for more frequent breaks to allow for staff to take time out of PPE, and should monitor their levels of PPE as more frequent changes may result in a increase in demand.

Covid: maternity birth partner changes

From Monday (14 June), we will be allowing two birth partners in our Haven Birthing Suite and labour wards at Poole St Mary's. This has been made possible due to the size of the rooms being larger and en-suite, limiting the need for support partners to move around the maternity unit. Other restrictions will stay the same for now. More information can be found at www.uhd.nhs.uk/maternity

Please note, general visiting restrictions and rules around outpatient appointments in the rest of the trust currently remain the same and can be found here.

POOLE: All employee changes moving online

From 1 July all employee changes must be logged using the Image Now e-forms portal and self-service ESR manager. The current pink paper forms will no longer be used to log changes. This will help us to keep all employee changes up to date and efficiently processed in good time. If you have any questions please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

New One Dorset laboratory information management system (LIMS) available from 20 July

Pathology and IT teams have been working on a major project across Dorset to implement a new laboratory information management system (LIMS). This will provide a single pathology system for Dorset. The existing LIMS will be replaced by WinPath Enterprise and the new system will go live on Tuesday 20 July.

Covid-19 vaccine booster trial – we need you!

Researchers at UHD are looking for volunteers to take part in a study looking at the use of different COVID-19 vaccines for giving a third dose.

You may be eligible to take part in the study if you are aged 30 years and over, and have received a first and second dose of Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine by 10 April 2021

Visit www.covboost.org.uk for more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Knowledge and Libraries Awareness Week next week

"The library is so much more than just a room of books," explains Paige Van-der-Zee, library assistant at UHD. "Our mission is to save you time by helping you do more with less – we can get the information and evidence you need and send it straight to your inbox."

Be sure to follow @EastDorsetLKS on social media to get involved and celebrate our libraries next week. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.

RBH: Additional bike racks

As the weather has brightened up and to support our sustainability aims we have prepared for more bicycle commutes to RBH. Additional bike racks have been installed outside ED minors, by the helipad. 20 spaces have been created. Always lock your bike with a good quality lock.

POOLE: New shower heads

Estates has finished changing the latest round of shower heads and hoses with the colour blue.

If yours is not this type please log a job with the helpdesk on ext: 8056 providing the block, floor and room number of the shower and estates will attend to swap it out.

RBH: Buddhist meditation services in the chapel

New meditation sessions will be led by Buddhist representative Emma Sessa in the Chapel. These sessions are open to all staff. Please be aware that social distancing will be in place and masks will need to be worn.

Session will run on Mondays at 1pm starting on 14 June.

Updated Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment-Alcohol (CIWA) form

The same CIWA form will now be used at RBH and PGH. Please note the changes to the form. These changes prepare for the CIWA electronic nursing assessment (eNA), which is coming soon.

Please see the alcohol liaison pages on the intranet to access the updated form, please replace any existing CIWA forms with the updated form. If you have any questions please contact the alcohol liaison team on ext 5329 or bleep 2838.

Speaker announced for Pro Ability Network meeting

This month's speaker at the Pro Ability Network meeting will be Simon Houghton from #WeSupportDeafAwareness. Simon will be talking about his experiences of being deaf and about creating awareness training used by UHD and the wider NHS.

The meeting takes place 15 June 1-2pm, click here to join. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.

Applications open for Level 2 and Level 3 healthcare support worker apprenticeship

If you are interested in applying for the HCSW apprenticeship with Bournemouth and Poole College, the next intake will be in the autumn. You must have completed the Care Certificate, and have maths and English GCSE grade C or above. You will need the support of your line manager as you will have to attend the college one day every other week.

PH: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
RBH: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jobs of the week

Following our organisational restructure, two opportunities have arisen for experienced individuals within acute and ambulatory medicine and cardiology/renal directorate.

We are looking for matrons who are compassionate, transformational, and inclusive leaders. The role of the matron will focus on the provision of high quality, visible, professional leadership, setting and maintaining standards of clinical excellence, improving outcomes and experiences for patients, families, and carers as well as staff.

Matron for acute and ambulatory care - closing date 28 July

Matron for cardiology and renal directorate - closing date 29 July

Care first meetings next week

All at midday, click the link to join:

• Monday 14 June, How care first can support you.
• Tuesday 15 June, Men's health awareness.
• Wednesday 16 June, How to identify if someone in the workplace is struggling with their mental health.
• Thursday 17 June, Ways to avoid feeling isolated whilst continuing to work from home.
• Friday 18 June, The possible emergence of a mental health pandemic.