International Nurses' Day - week of events

We're celebrating our fabulous nursing colleagues this week with a series of events to highlight the many faces of nursing across UHD.

Look out for display stands in our main public spaces highlighting the diverse roles within a modern nursing career. And you can join a special event looking at nursing leadership both here and in the wider NHS, including some prestigious guest speakers.

Opened by Prof Paula Shobrook, our own chief nursing officer (CNO), the meeting will hear from Makala Wellington, CNO at North East London NHS Foundation Trust, and Francis Fernando, head of nursing at the Central Community Healthcare NHS Trust, as well as colleagues from UHD.

Join the event, from 2-3pm on Wednesday (12 May) here.

It's not too late to complete this nursing 'reflection' and send it in to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and - even better - have a photo taken with your reflection, and post it on Twitter or Instagram tagging @UHD_NHS on Twitter and Instagram and using the hashtags #NursesDay #IND21 #UHDNurses.

Urgent reminder: protect your rights by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme

As the deadline to apply for EU Settled Status approaches in June, we are encouraging our EU staff to apply if they have yet to do so. And to help you, we have a range of support available if needed.

The EU Settlement Scheme allows you and your family to get the immigration status needed in order to continue to live, work and study in the UK, as well as access public services like the NHS.

EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and their families need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to protect rights and to stay in the UK. You do not need to apply if you are a British or Irish citizen, or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

The deadline to apply is 30 June 2021 and while there is still plenty of time to submit your application we would like you to do this as soon as possible so you can be assured of your right to remain.

Prior to 1 July 2021 there is no requirement for you to inform us, as your employer, of the outcome of your application, but it will be helpful if you do, so we can update our records in preparation for the deadline.

Read a letter from Karen Allman, our chief people officer, which provides more information and outlines the support available, here.

Dying Matters Week – find out more

Don't forget to visit the Dying Matters information stands in the atrium at RBH and the Dolphin Restaurant at Poole Hospital. Our UHD palliative care teams will also be visiting wards and departments this week to find out how they can help you provide the best care possible for our dying patients. They will also be promoting the butterfly model of care which encourages dignity, respect and compassion at the end of life. Please share your thoughts on what you need to be able to provide the best care possible for our dying patients.

01202 phone numbers no longer in use – check your patient-facing information

Direct dial telephone numbers for wards, departments and individuals all now begin 0300 019. Please check before issuing information (letters, leaflets etc) that it does not contain any references to 01202 phone numbers, except in the cases of our switchboards (01202 665511 for Poole, 012020 303626 for RBH and 01202 486361 for Christchurch. These are the only telephone numbers that the area code will continue to be used).

Incorrect telephone numbers create avoidable extra work for our switchboard teams, who already deal with hundreds of thousands of calls each year.

To update patient information with new contact details please contact the individual responsible for the development of that information (which should be found on the reverse of leaflets, for example).

Transforming care through the use of technology

We're committed to supporting transformation and the use of technology within our clinical workforce. This week we've strengthened our digital leadership team, with Louisa Way, current head of clinical practice, taking on the role of our first ever chief nursing information officer.

The role will support the development and delivery of the nursing and wider clinical digital strategy for UHD. Louisa's focus will be to identify and develop IT to support nursing and clinical practice, building on the work of our midwifery and allied health professional colleagues. The initial focus of this role will be to digitise existing paper-based patient documentation and care planning, allowing us to bring together our current nursing digital applications – reducing the need to record information in multiple places while improving patient safety.

Louisa is keen to hear from nursing colleagues passionate about the transformational role IT can play in the profession and improving patient care. Contact Louisa via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Domestic abuse awareness training available

We know this is a difficult and worrying time for people, but particularly so for adults and children living with abuse. It can be difficult to know how to support and respond to someone who you suspect is experiencing domestic abuse. Domestic abuse awareness Level 3 training is open to all UHD staff, and provided at the Education Centre at RBH. It will cover topics including:

• types, signs and impact of domestic abuse
• how to refer and signpost staff and patients for domestic abuse support
• how to complete DASH RIC (domestic abuse risk assessment) and the MARAC process

Attending this training will enable you to gain more knowledge around domestic abuse and how to proactively support victims of domestic abuse

Sessions take place on 18 June, 15 July (both from 10am-12noon) or 17 August, from 9.30-11.30am.

To book a place, please log onto your ESR account and sign up. If you do not have access to ESR or would like to book some bespoke training for your department, please email Jade Archer, domestic violence and abuse health advocate, directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RBH: Emailing the enhanced surgical care unit (ESCU)

ESCU's email address is now This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - please do not use the previous Ward 15/Ward 16 email addresses.

You Matter – mental health First Aid at UHD

Our new mental health First Aid (MHFA) intranet page has been updated to include a directory of MHFA first aiders and how MHFA can support you.

During Mental Health Awareness week this week, a number of sessions are available, run or provided by partner organisations:

• Managing stress and building resilience for NHS and care sector staff, 12 May, 12-1.15pm
• How sea swimming is good for body and soul, 12 May, 1-1.30pm
• Mindfulness drop-in, 13 May, 8.30-9am
• Opening our eyes and ears to the power of nature, 14 May, 12-12.30pm
• Mindfulness session: 'sit, move, walk well', 17 May, 8-9am.

Every day's a school day - National Learning at Work week

Next week we are celebrating National Learning at Work week, and next Wednesday (19 May) we are highlighting creativity and human connections in learning with a range of interactive activities for you to try. Do you have a suggestion for the education department? Want to test your numeracy and medicines management skills? Fancy getting hands on with one of our simulation mannequins?

Just stop by at the dome (Poole) or the atrium (RBH) to share your thoughts and take part in fun activities. All are welcome.

Medical staffing systems update

Following valuable input, a new digital platform has been procured for e-rostering (plus junior doctor model) and e-job planning and the successful supplier is HealthRota. The system will integrate job plans and rostering in a single system which will assist removing workforce blockers and gaps, leading to an improved work life balance and staff wellbeing.

The procurement stage of the programme has been completed, and the next phase of the programme will introduce the winning supplier to each trust and to identify a trust project team. This team will initially identify test and pilot areas for the system. As a team we are excited to work closely with these areas initially, building and testing the system, and we will provide full training and support throughout the process. This is a very exciting programme that will change the way our medical teams plan and roster their workforce in an ever-evolving digital era.

The UHD project team is:

• Francis Parker, project manager: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Clair Hayward, project support officer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Nicola France, project support officer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RBH: Time running out to apply for a Littledown parking permit

A limited number of extra parking permits at the Littledown Centre for non-clinical staff are still available. Don't delay if you would like to apply.

The Littledown permits run until March 2024 and give access to a designated parking area between 6am and 10.15pm on weekdays, and between 8am to 6pm on Saturdays - they cannot be used on Sundays.

Please note, you must already hold a permit to park and be required on site at RBH at least four days per week. Email the travel team for further information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Leading teams through change workshops – new dates

Are you leading a team through change? Join one of our leadership development workshops to gain some knowledge and tips around leading through times of uncertainty. The workshops are also a great opportunity to network with other leaders across UHD. We have more workshop dates available on 7 and 27 July and 19 August. If you would like to book, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Supporting our staff who are reservists, veterans or immediate family members of the Armed Forces

The support group will doing a number of initiatives as part of this year's Armed Forces Week from 21-25 June. One of these is to publicise links between the armed forces community and our trust. We are asking members of staff who are veterans, reservists or partners/spouses of serving members of the Armed Forces to submit photos and short bio's to be included in pop up banners for display in our hospitals. For more information or to submit photos please contact Nick Williams on 0300 019 4157 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Uplifting resources: chosen by NHS staff for NHS staff

Available now via the Knowledge and Library Services website - is a selection of uplifting, digital resources which include apps, podcasts and other online resources.

The Health Education England national NHS Knowledge and Library Services team has worked with the Reading Agency to crowd-source these resources. They have been chosen by NHS staff for NHS staff and are ideal for boosting your mood.

As part of Health Information Week (5-11 July), Health Education England will also be adding a small collection of print books to each local NHS Knowledge and Library Service in England. Find out more from your local service.

Randomised trials to perk you up

Our library service's successful randomised coffee trials are back! They are a way to meet colleagues from around the trust to share ideas or just simply get to know each other. To find out more or to sign up please contact the library at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The closing date to sign up is the 31 May.

RBH: New products from BBraun

RBH has introduced several new products from BBraun. These are new infusion sets, and from earlier this month, needle-free devices. Please note that these needle-free devices still need to be primed.

Click here to see more information on the new products and for contact details.

Virtual London Marathon – Sunday 3 October 2021

On Sunday 3 October, 50,000 runners will have the chance to be a part of the biggest marathon ever staged anywhere in the world.

The virtual Virgin Money London Marathon will return this year, giving participants the opportunity to take on the world's greatest marathon on the course of their choice from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59, wherever they are on the planet.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity is pleased to announce we have 11 virtual London Marathon places to offer our loyal supporters. All we ask is that you raise a minimum of £150 sponsorship and you will receive an official London Marathon medal and t-shirt.

For more information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Job of the week: CT/MRI Care Support Worker - Band 3 (37.5 hours)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a care support worker to join our busy CT and MRI team in Poole Hospital's radiology department.

As a clinical support worker you will be required to work alongside the CT and MRI team; supporting the radiographers, providing care and comfort for our patients while preparing them for their CT and MRI examinations. This does include IV cannulation, training will be provided if necessary, manual handling and some administrative work. This role will require flexibility and adaptability, good team and interpersonal skills, with excellent communication and organisation skills. Please see here for the job description and full details of the requirements.