Covid-19 vaccinations start at Poole

Covid-19 vaccinations started at Poole Hospital this week, part of our efforts to support the national immunisation drive.

Staff will continue to be seen in this broad order:

1. those who are personally at high clinical risk
2. peripatetic front line staff (those that move between wards and departments as part of their role)
3. other frontline clinical staff, starting with those working who are working within our blue (Covid-19) areas.

We aim to offer a vaccine to all of the above groups within the next two weeks, after which the vaccine will be available to all other staff. Pictured right is Mary Sainsbury, emergency admissions officer, receiving her vaccination at Poole Hospital on Monday.

The underlying messages remain:

• do not phone or 'drop in' to the bookings or vaccination service without an appointment
• if you are a priority staff member, you will be contacted
• continue to treat colleagues with courtesy and respect at all times.

We are working hard to bring you the vaccine, in a safe, fair and methodical way, and will keep you updated with news as we have it. Visit the intranet for more information.

Flu jabs still available

Nearly two thirds of staff have had their vaccination but there is still time to have yours if you have not done so already.

Check the flu section on the intranet to find out more and see a list of our flu peer vaccinators.

Covid-19 staff swabbing details

When submitting staff Covid-19 swabs please remember to include the following information in your email:

• Name of staff (as it is on their clinical record)
• date of birth
• mobile number
• symptoms
• start date of symptoms

If it includes a household member please provide their name and date of birth as well as their symptoms and contact details.

Lateral flow test results

If you have symptoms, even if your lateral flow test shows negative, do not come to work. If you lateral flow test is positive you must request a PCR test and not come to work.

Test and trace reminder for staff at work

Staff are reminded not to use the Covid-19 test and trace app while at work - ensure the app is turned off even when phones are left in lockers.

Remember: mask on, app off.

Take breaks safely

Staff are reminded to take your breaks safely in our dedicated dining and rest areas. To support good infection prevention and control, don't eat or drink in clinical areas, in the corridors or in mandatory mask-wearing areas.

POOLE - fit testing

Fit testing is continuing in the education centre. Dates can be found on the intranet.

Most wards and departments have their own fit testers who can support fit testing. If they are unable to assist please contact the vocational team to book onto one of the planned dates.

If any wards or departments have someone they would like to be trained to be a fit tester please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Portacount machine is now working if anyone needs to be tested via the Portacount please contact us to book a date and time. If you book a date and time for a fit test and you are unable to attend please contact us at the earliest opportunity we can reallocate the time slot.

Read and follow ward signage

Please ensure that you read signs on doors before entering a department or ward. These signs are important and let you know vital information and are updated frequently.

RBH - reminder on entering ICU

Please do not enter ICU unless you are a member of staff working in that area.

If you need to collect equipment etc that is stored in the department, please call ahead so arrangements can be made.

Your Staff Bulletin – coming to you twice a week

The Staff Bulletin will now be published twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, bringing you news and information even faster.

Please submit items by 10am Monday for consideration in Tuesday bulletins and by 10am Thursday for consideration in Friday bulletins.

Update to visiting restrictions

Visiting guidance has been reviewed in light of the national lockdown and national guidance, and remains the same. Click here for more information.

POOLE - the BEAT VLE is now available

The BEAT VLE went live at Poole Hospital on 4 January, so staff can now access their training records online using this link: www.uhd.nhs.uk/vle

Please remember that your username is your 8-digit assignment number (do not include any dashes or additional numbers) and your password is your date of birth in this specific format of DD-Mon-YYYY, for example 04-Nov-1985. Please make sure you enter your login details carefully and correctly.

We have received a number of enquiries about the local induction topic in the VLE, and staff may notice that a number of other new topics are now included in their mandatory training requirements on the VLE, which coincides with a number of training frequency changes. Please click here for more guidance and information.

If you have any queries about the VLE at Poole please see the intranet, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call ext. 3608. More information can be found in the intranet ltest news.

RBH - urgent field safety notice: MAC VU360TM ECG systems

Incorrect patient identification and/or patient demographic errors have been noted with MAC VU360TM ECG systems.

Affected product details: All MAC VU360 systems P/N: 2030360-001 GTIN: 00840682125499

The cardiac department has been notified of two safety issues relating to the above mentioned ECG system. Please refer to the intranet for further information and safety instructions to mitigate against a potential adverse incident as a result of these issues.

RBH - replacement of defibrillators

During the week commencing 18 January RBH will have updated defibrillators installed. Daily checks remain the same using the dial instead of push buttons. All the information is on the resuscitation services intranet page.

The resus team will be out and about showing the device during the week commencing 11 January.

RBH - locker space request

Do you have a locker in the staff changing room at RBH that you would be prepared to give up for Covid workers?

Staff working in Covid areas are in need of lockers to store their change of clothes and belongings. If you can help please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Clinical audit training survey

The clinical audit teams at RBCH and Poole have recently merged, and part of that is to decide on the audit training provision for UHD.

We value your opinion on what clinical audit training you would like to be available, and hope that you will take the time to respond to our quick one page survey. The closing date is 7 February 2021.

Follow up and continuing practice for basic signing and communications course attendees

Thank you to all those who attended the bite sized communication and sign language courses held in 2020. These were made possible from a charity donation and organised by the pro ability network working with the Wiltshire and Dorset Deaf Association (WDDA).

We have had requests for refresher sessions and Lynn Preston, staff unit in the eye unit, has kindly offered to lead these for all attendees to continue to keep up their skills in the workplace.

Sessions are 30 minutes via Teams and start on Thursday 21 January. Please confirm your preferred time by clicking here to find your name. Alternatively contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Occupational English Test (OET) for HCSWs

The trust is funding a group to study for the Occupational English Test (OET) at Bournemouth and Poole College.

This programme is aimed at any overseas qualified nurses currently working in a healthcare support worker role who needs to achieve OET to apply for OSCE training and NMC registration.

If you would like to apply to be assessed for this course, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Sunday 24 January.

Covid-19 vaccine text scam alert

We have been alerted by different sources, to a scam that is now in wider circulation, that starts with a text and advises the user that they are eligible to apply for the vaccine.

Users are then invited to click on the link in the text message and are taken to a web page, again that looks very convincing. It goes on to ask for some personal information, for them to be able to apply for the vaccine. The details asked for:

• name
• address
• date of birth
• proof of address
• card payment details

With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue, as fraudsters continue to take advantage of the rollout to so many people. Recipients are advised to report this to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk

For more details on this scam check the informatics pages to visit the cyber and data security advice during the Covid-19 pandemic intranet page.

RBH - Missing hoverjack

Ward 9 is missing a hoverjack- please check your ward and return to ward 9 as soon as possible – contact ext. 4934

Staff discounts

Check the intranet to see discounts available for staff. Uber is currently offering a 25% staff discount on rides.

Care First webinars

Care First, our employee assistance programme, is putting on webinars this week and next. The themes are:

• Thursday 14 January, 12-12.30pm - Wellbeing
• Friday 15 January, 12-12.30pm - Isolation and lonliness

Roadworks

Click here for a list of the current roadworks taking place.