Take five minutes to protect yourself all winter

Annual flu vaccinations remain available at a range of drop-in clinics on our sites.

Our hospitals are seeing a number of cases of flu, which is circulating in the community together with Covid-19. The best way to protect yourself from contracting flu this winter is by having your jab at one of our drop-in clinics taking place on all three sites at a range of times.

The jab takes just five minutes but can protect you all winter.

Check the intranet latest news for a full list of drop-in clinics.

Be alert to infection prevention and control practices

We all have a role in infection control, especially at a time when the number of Covid-19 cases in the community and in our hospitals is increasing.

Busy wards and operational pressures can all compete with our focus on getting it right, every time. Yet it is often the simple things that are the most effective:

• Wear the right PPE for the environment you are in. If you're unsure, ask
• Wash your hands and observe good hand hygiene
• Ensure there's good ventilation
• Maintain social distancing wherever possible
• Keep regular touch points like phones, door handles and telephones clean

If you see something that doesn't look right, it's ok to ask.

Please ensure you continue to take your lateral flow test twice a week.

For further infection prevention and control advice, check the intranet.

Complete the NHS Staff Survey if you haven't already

The annual NHS Staff Survey is a really important way for staff to have their say completely anonymously on how they are feeling at work. Surveys have been issued by email and by post.

Just 15 minutes of your time can help make UHD the workplace we all want it to be.

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

Individual Covid-19 risk assessments update

All staff should have an up to date Individual covid-19 risk assessment, which is specific to the area they are working in and their individual status.

To reflect the increased prevalence of Covid-19 in the local area the individual Covid-19 risk assessment has now been updated.

It is recommended that staff who have previously scored either 'very high' or 'high' in their existing assessment should complete the updated version, as well as staff who have a change in medical condition or circumstances.

RBH: Reminder - new modular theatre delivered this weekend

Some disruption is expected this weekend (12-14 November) as multiple large vehicles arrive on site to deliver our new modular theatre unit. The lorries will be arriving at staggered times to minimise the congestion.

Some car parking spaces in car parks S3 and S4 will be closed from 5pm on the 10 November to prepare for the work and allow for space for the delivery over the weekend. These closures will be monitored by the travel team and the spaces will be re-opened when the area is clear.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) rolls out

From today (12 November), any staff member accessing 365 Services from an offsite location using an individual (ie not shared or generic) account registered before 28 October will need MFA in place.

MFA provides greater security to our systems.

You will be guided at the log in screen on how to set it up, alternatively you can set up MFA yourself here.

Employment probationary period policy and procedure – new E-Form launched

We are pleased to announce that a new E-Form has been launched on the UHD e-forms portal.

This form is for recording the 2 formal probationary review meetings held during the probationary period. The E-Form mirrors the template form included in the UHD Employment Probationary Period Policy and Procedure which is published on the HR webpage.

The form is initiated by the new starter's line manager and then completed online by the manager and new member of staff who both have their comments noted. Once finalised the form provides a written and confidential record of the review meeting. Upon submission the form is saved to the member of staff's personnel file, but can also be printed, but we would prefer you didn't hit that 'print key' to support the environment.

A six month probationary period applies to all newly appointed UHD members of staff who are entrants or re-entrants to the Trust, with or without continuous NHS service. This includes members of staff working on the Temporary Staff Bank who are successful for substantive posts at the Trust and staff engaged on a Preceptorship Programme. It does not apply to internal appointments or staff who retire and return.

An employment probationary period is a valuable management tool when used correctly. Successful probationary periods lead to new members of staff performing well in their new role. They also place a clear responsibility on managers to induct new starters properly and address any issues early. The procedure is set out clearly in the policy, but managers may contact their HR Business Partner for further advice if needed.

You can access the e-forms portal via your preferred browsers managed bookmarks menu.

Appointment of new chief executive for Dorset's Integrated Care Board

Following a competitive national recruitment process, we are able to confirm that Patricia Miller OBE has been successfully appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer Designate for Dorset's Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Patricia, working with all partners will be overseeing the planning and delivery of NHS services across Dorset. She takes up the role after serving as the Chief Executive of Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust since 2014.

"The Integrated Care System is going to be vital to the future for our health services across Dorset," said Debbie Fleming, chief executive of UHD.

"University Hospitals Dorset looks forward to playing a major role within the ICS and we congratulate Patricia on her appointment as Chief Executive. Our organisations have a long history of working together and we share the same ambition to serve local people well – tackling health inequalities, improving services and delivering better outcomes across Dorset and the surrounding area"

Read more here.

UHD supporting World Antimicrobial Awareness Week - 17-24 November

We're supporting the World Health Organisation's World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 17-24 November with a range of educational activities next week.

Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.

Resistance to them is a global health threat which the World Health Organisation, which is behind the week, has declared as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.

At UHD next week, we'll be exploding some of the common myths around penicillin, one of the most-used antibiotics available.

Look out for screensavers and new posters from next week, while you can find out more from pre-registration pharmacists in the dome at Poole Hospital from 10-11am each day on 19, 20, 23, and 24 November. At Royal Bournemouth, Trish Turton, clinical microbiology nurse, will be touring wards with an antimicrobial message.

No interruptions expected with LIMS update

A routine procedure to switch data circuits has been scheduled on the pathology LIMS at 10am on Tuesday (16 November). We do not anticipate any interruption in service but will enact contingencies if required.

RBH: Lifting operations and equipment inspections (LOLER) for slings in November

Zurich Insurance with be on site for two days (24/25 November) to carry out LOLER inspections on the hoist slings.

Please can all areas check for hoist slings that are not in use and put them in a clear plastic bag and leave them in the sluice ready to be collected and taken to the in-house laundry.

If you have any questions, please contact the moving and handling team on ext 6183.

Steroids – new labels and cards available

Following a National Patient Safety Alert, the Trust has issued steroid cards to be given to patients when prescribed steroids. The cards should be used in line with the new 'Think Steroids' SOP, which can be found on the intranet.

All adult inpatient ward areas should keep a small stock of the cards on the wards to ensure patients are given a card at the point of prescription. They can be ordered on Powergate with the following code: ESTC Emergency Steroid Treatment Card – pack of 100 = £3.28

For all admission areas using the 'Think Steroid' labels in the clerking booklets - please use the following Powergate details to place future orders. Stickers come in batches of 5,000 or 10,000.

Item Code	Item description	Issue unit description	Cost
CSP089425 (5000)	Think Steroids labels (Non- stock)	Pack of 5000	£216.51
CSP089425 (10000)	Think Steroids labels (Non-Stock)	Pack of 10000	£241.89

Anti-bullying week – what's your one kind word?

Anti-bullying week takes place 15-19th November and it has the theme this year of "One Kind Word". Ask someone, "are you ok"? or "I'm sorry" or just say "hi". In a world that can sometimes feel like it's filled with negativity, one kind word can provide a moment of hope and change someone's day by changing the course of a conversation and breaking a cycle of incivility. One kind word often leads to another and fuels others to also be kind.

Kindness is more important today. Research shows us that if we choose to be kind and create a kinder culture it can improve patient safety. Kindness is anything but random and instead creates trust, and trust reduces burnout. Michael West, in this new video to mark anit-bullying week, reminds us of our work at UHD for a compassionate and inclusive culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eooFKmvcUk.

NHSE/I are also running a number of sessions to understand the importance of choosing civility and respect. These sessions are free to attend https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/compassion-beats-bullying-campaign.

The series comprises:

• 16 November 12:00 - 13:00 - How behaviours can impact on individuals, teams and organisations (click here to register)
• 23 November 12:00 - 13:00 - Support for NHS Staff to Speak (click here to register)
• 30 November 12:00 - 13:00 - The role of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in creating a positive culture (click here to register)

If you are unable to speak to your line manager there are a number of people you can talk to. If you need a chat about a concern, or whether you are a recipient of unkind behaviour or indeed find yourself doing it. These include our FTSU team, our HR and OH departments, governors, and chaplains.

The FTSU team can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or extn 4220 (answerphone) or by using our @UHD app.

Start your career in research

The NIHR Clinical Research Network Wessex is holding a webinar on Tuesday (16 November) from 11am-12pm. The session covers how research can be part of various roles within our hospitals, from nursing to midwifery and therapies.

You can book your place here.

Job of the week - risk advisor, health and safety

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a highly motivated, professional and proficient risk advisor for health and safety to join our quality and risk team. The position will mainly be based at Poole but will require cross site cover for our other sites as required.

The health and safety team provides high quality expertise and support to all services and specialities across the trust. The post holder will work closely with internal and external colleagues such as clinical teams, estates, facilities, external contractors and union representatives to support patient and staff safety, incident investigation and risk management processes.

Closing Date 19 November 2021 – click here for more information or to apply.

Free Lighthouse show in Poole on Sunday

Army Girls, Sunday 14 November

Discover the extraordinary story of Britain's wartime female army this Remembrance Sunday. Commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII Conscription for Women, 'Army Girls' author Tessa Dunlop and original gunner girl Grace Taylor celebrate the ATS, an army of women in the Second World War that included Her Majesty the Queen and Winston Churchill's youngest daughter, Mary.

Tickets are free, subject to availability - use the promo code NHSPOPPY.

Your wellbeing weekly

Don't forget to check in with your wellbeing this week and get involved with some of our fantastic offers. There are sessions to help you sleep, exercise classes, posture courses and much more...