Staff Bulletin 12 July 2022
Working together under pressure
In recognition of the operational pressures, we have now declared an OPEL 4 alert across our trust. We all have a part to play in helping with hospital flow.
- Are your patients ready for discharge? Patients at RBH can use the departure lounge. Across sites can we identify patients who can sit out to release patients waiting in ED?
- Every ward that routinely admits patients from assessment units to ensure the first patient arrives on their ward before 10am to free up assessment unit capacity
- Ward teams should be in regular communication with assessment units and site teams to pull patients through as beds become available
Staffing remains very pressured so a huge thank you to everyone who is working tirelessly to support our patients and colleagues.
Wellbeing support is available to all of us. Please take a look on our dedicated intranet pages and share the information with your teams.
Preparing for hot weather including managing medicines
A level 3 (amber) heat alert remains in place with temperatures remaining warm.
It is essential that we ensure patients are kept cool and we keep hydrated. Remember to monitor temperatures on wards and identify those sickest patients who may need to move to somewhere cooler.
Be aware of medicines kept outside of the medication fridge as heat may reduce use by dates. If ward temperatures reach 30 degrees celsius or above, please store all insulin in the fridge. This includes the in-use insulin/opened insulin.
Cancelling Littledown parking notices issued in error
We are aware of some penalty charge notice (PCNs) issued to colleagues using the BHLive Littledown Centre car park on Friday. Those affected had valid passes to park in the reserved area for UHD staff and were authorised to do so. As a consequence we have contacted the site manager to ensure these notices are cancelled immediately. All valid Littledown permit holders are entitled to park within the UHD signposted spaces and should not receive any enforcement notices for doing so.
Should colleagues experience any problems in future, please let the parking team know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so they can speak to Littledown and resolve it - apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Contacting the swabbing team
There is now a single swabbing service for the trust based in the Village Hotel car park at RBH (there is no swabbing at Poole).
To contact them for advice or arrange swabbing, please call 07919 496770 or bleep 2911 and then dial the following:
- RBCH: 701-2911-XXXX (the last four digits on your extension number)
- Poole: 780-701-2911- XXXX (the last four digits on your extension number).
Share your experiences with our ProAbility network
Our ProAbility network is hosting a drop-in listening event tomorrow (13 July) on teams from 11.30am-12noon.
Join the conversation to find out more about the network and to discuss the support available for colleagues with disabilities and long-term health conditions. You don't have to be a member of the network to join, this is a great opportunity to engage with our network and find out more about how your lived experiences could influence positive change across UHD.
Click here to join the meeting.
Have you completed your National Audit of Care at the End of Life (NACEL) survey?
Many of us play a role in providing end of life care, whether we work on the wards, in the catering department, or volunteers - the welcome we offer, a smile, small acts of kindness can make a huge difference.
We want the views of all staff who come into contact with patients approaching end-of-life. Your opinion matters. Please take a minute to complete the survey so we can listen to you, celebrate the outstanding care you already provide, and learn how to improve this important part of our service.
Financial support updates
Our financial wellbeing pages now have an updated summary of support available - you can access the summary document directly here.
Members of #TeamUHD have access to Salary Finance, a financial wellbeing provider that offer access to financial benefits linked to our pay, and financial education.
In July, Salary Finance is running a series of webinars to help with the cost of living. The interactive webinars will be held on 20 July at 10am and 21 July at 2pm and 7.30pm. Register here to join the meeting.
Keep up to date with radiology
On Monday (18 July), UHD is partnering with Bournemouth University for an event featuring experts in medical imaging on the latest advances in radiology, how it is used as a key element of diagnosis and healthcare delivery, and the expertise here in Dorset.
Learn more about our relationship with Bournemouth University for the delivery of research and education, and co-working for the benefit of healthcare in Dorset. The evening will include speakers from both organisations talking about their latest work and how it benefits patients and residents in Dorset.
Sign up for the event here from 5-6.15pm.
RBH: Shelley restaurant and Oasis Coffee lounge opening hours
Our Shelley restaurant will be open 7.30am-3pm for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant will be closed for cleaning and will reopen from 5-7pm for dinner. The restaurant will be open from 7.30am-7pm Saturday and Sunday.
The Oasis coffee lounge will be open 8am-5pm and closed Saturday and Sunday.
Leading teams through change workshops – spaces available
Are you leading a team through change? Join one of our leadership development virtual 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. We have spaces available on 21 July 9.30-11.30am which can be booked through this link or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Do you listen to the radio at work?
The trust uses a PRS license to listen to the radio around the hospital. If you listen to the radio in your office, waiting room or staff room please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register for the license.
End of life champions meeting
Join the next end of life champions meeting on 30 August in the lecture theatre at RBH from 1-3pm. The meeting will include a teaching session, updates in training and a guest speaker. Please contact the palliative care team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in attending.
NHS England accommodation survey
NHS England South West is working with health and care systems and provider organisations like UHD across the region to help existing staff and new recruits who are finding the cost and availability of suitable accommodation a challenge. Completing the survey will help all of us in the south west, staff and patients alike, as we build plans to create better housing options. The survey is available at the following link.
