Staff Bulletin 14 May 2021
As lockdown restrictions ease, our vigilance must continue
It's great news that our efforts, and that of the public's, have meant lockdown measures are about to be significantly eased again.
Within some limitations, families can meet again, friends can see each other, those in care homes can receive more visitors. All made possible by the hard work and vigilance you and your colleagues up and down the country have shown, supported by the public.
So while Monday's further easing of lockdown measures is warmly welcomed, it is also a chance to renew our focus on infection prevention and control.
As social distancing and other measures ease in the community, the greater the risk is that Covid-19 can be spread - unless we maintain our vigilance and good practices.
On Monday, the infection control measures in our hospitals that have helped to keep you, your colleagues, your loved ones and our patients safe, remain. We must ensure, both in and out of work, we adhere to social distancing, continue to wear a mask when required, observe thorough hand hygiene measures, stay alert about cleaning and crucially, look out for each other.
We'll be reminding you about good infection prevention and control practices over the next few weeks - look out for our REFRESH campaign around the trust.
And if you see something that doesn't look right, it's ok to ask. Speak to your manager or your clinical lead, or our infection prevention and control teams.
Dr Matt Hodson, deputy chief nursing officer
Connected care – have your say
How should technology be harnessed to improve care planning and patient records at ward or clinic level? What might a digital care plan look like, and what should be in it? Who should be responsible for producing it?
These are just some of the views being sought in a new survey for nursing and allied health professional (AHP) colleagues at UHD.
Give your views on a range of topics, including:
- whether care planning helps you to provide good care
- what's important to you in care planning
- what gets in the way of completing a care plan
- whether all nursing documentation should be electronic
"We're really keen to hear as many views as possible from healthcare professionals about the content of UHD patient care plans, and what they could look like digitally," said Louisa.
"We want to know what is important to you when planning patient care and what would make you put your pen down and help you to go digital."
Click here to take the survey.
Louisa is also keen to establish a group of enthusiastic nursing and AHP staff interested in supporting this work and play a key role in contributing to our digital future. If you would like to get involved please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Digitising nursing documentation project in Poole's ED
A quality improvement project has been taking place to digitise nursing documentation in ED majors at Poole Hospital. This includes:
- digital observations
- patient safety checklists
- nursing admissions
The pilot has been successful so far, with electronic dashboards replacing whiteboards to help manage patient flow through the department. The documentation itself is printed out for patients who are admitted.
The pilot is set to be extended and the learning transferred to RBH.
Feedback from Poole wards on the pilot is welcomed - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Thanks to all for naming entries
The naming consultation for the 'big build' at RBH is now closed - many thanks to everyone who took the time to share their ideas. More than 100 names were put forward, which will now be assessed by a shortlisting panel before being shared with you to make your preference. A final decision will then be taken by the trust board, with the name announced in September.
Ask Aly on 20 May
The next 'Ask Aly' event with our chief medical officer, Dr Alyson O'Donnell, will be on 20 May, 12-1pm. It's a great opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns or share your views. Alyson will be joined by deputy chief nursing officer, Matthew Hodson, and infection prevention and control lead nurse, Paul Bolton, to answer your questions as we journey along the Covid roadmap.
You can join the meeting here and if you'd like to send any questions in an advance, pop them through to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can ask on your behalf.
Work experience requests update
While work experience placements continues to be on hold, please please redirect any requests you may receive to:
- RBCH: Paula Sim, youth development officer, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Poole: Joy Heelan, voluntary services lead, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marking International Clinical Trials Day on Thursday
International Clinical Trials Day on 20 May is a well-deserved 'time out' to recognise the people who conduct clinical trials and to say thanks for what they do every day to improve public health.
This day of celebration also provides our community with a unique opportunity to raise awareness of clinical trials – and of clinical research as a career option – among the greater public.
The research response to Covid-19 has been incredible and would not have been achievable without the fantastic staff in our research team, the clinical teams and supporting departments who make it all possible, and the overwhelming generosity of our patients who give up their time to take part.
Look out for stalls in key areas of UHD where materials celebrating the work of our research staff will be displayed and further information will be available.
Chartered manager apprenticeships available
Applications are now open for applications for the chartered manager degree apprenticeship with Open University for staff with significant management responsibilities. If you are interested in attending an information session email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Poole: Works to reinstate Child Development Centre (CDC) parking spaces
The car park in the front of the CDC has been temporarily closed after a hole was discovered. The area has been excavated and the issue was the subsoil had been washed away from around the soakaway. The soakaway takes surface water from the drains and safely allows it to discharge into the ground below.
The work to rectify the cause will be completed later today (Friday), with the tarmac re-laid next week and the road linings renewed by the end of the week, allowing it to safely reopen to the public. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Pro Ability dates for your diary
Thank you to everyone who supported the successful Deaf Awareness Week last week. If you're interested in finding out more about the work of our Pro Ability network group, particularly if you are based at either Poole or Christchurch hospitals, you are warmly invited to attend the next informal drop in session on 25 May, 1-2pm, on Teams - click here to join the meeting, or the next network meeting on 15 June, from 1-2pm, by clicking here.
Contact details for the network can also be found on the intranet.
Outpatient referrals for acute paediatric physiotherapy team to become paper free
From 1 June, the acute paediatric physiotherapy team will no longer accept paper referrals or blue cards. This move will enable referrals to be processed in a more timely manner and reduce the scope for error and lost referrals. Any paper referrals received after this point will be returned to sender, and may potentially delay triaging.
Referrals can be completed online via EPR under the reports tab selecting the 'acute paediatric physiotherapy referral'. Referrals from outside of the trust should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please still refer acute paediatric ward patients via the normal bleep system.
Welcoming, involving and supporting carers
We recognise the vital role that carers play in the health and wellbeing of those they care for. Carers have a right, but not a duty, to continue to care while the person they care for is in hospital.
Having a loved one in hospital can be a distressing time for a carer, particularly young carers. We also understand it can be an anxious time for a carer if they are admitted to hospital themselves.
Due to current visiting restrictions, if a carer wishes to be involved in their cared-for person's care while in hospital, please discuss this with your sister/charge nurse or matron. For further support and information call Karen Uphill, carer support adviser, on ext 8714 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Discontinuation of medicine packet recycling scheme
Terracycle is closing its medicines packet recycling scheme nationally, launched just a few weeks ago in facilities including Boots at RBH and Lloyds Pharmacy at Poole. The company says it has been inundated with interest which it has been unable to service.
UHD has the opportuity to send a final delivery to them, and pharmacy will collect what's available.
Act now to secure Morebus discount
We have been informed that the 'Click It 2 Ride' app will be withdrawn next week, likely on 18 May, and will be replaced by a dedicated new app.
All current users of the Clickit2Ride app will receive a notification prompting them to set up a new account for the new Morebus app and all current tickets will automatically transfer to this new app.
Unfortunately, there will not be a discount code on offer during this transitional phase. Morebus is hoping to reinstate this by the end of June. If you wish to continue with discounted tickets, you will need to purchase these before the changeover and keep these in your wallet on the app, so you will still be able to enjoy cheaper bus travel until the new promo code is set up. The current promo code is DHT21YEAR.
Any enquiries about this changeover can be sent to: https://www.morebus.co.uk/contact.
Budding artists required for fundraising showcase
While Covid-19 may have put paid to many of Forest Holme's usual fundraising activities, they're marking the annual Tie A Yellow Ribbon day in a creative way this year, and you can be involved.
Supporters are asked to create yellow ribbon-inspired works of art which will be displayed around Poole as part of an arts trail.
The hospice isn't looking for professional works of art, anyone can get involved, no matter your skill level or age. Send a photo of your completed works to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 31 May and a selection will be chosen for this very special Forest Holme project.
Fantastic band 6 job opportunity to join our friendly acute therapy inpatient team
We are seeking a committed and experienced occupational therapist within the high quality UHD integrated physiotherapy and occupational therapy department.
This is an exciting time as we implement new models of working which are creating opportunities to develop services and clinical skills. This role is embedded within medical specialities including respiratory, gastroenterology and endocrinology.
We have a culture of positive development within our team which supports our innovative and evidence based service. We have a supportive, open and honest culture within the team, and we welcome new ideas and respond positively to feedback.
We will support your development of leadership skills, and you will have the opportunity to supervise students, band 5s and/or therapy assistants, as well as providing in service training to more junior staff and the MDT.
Find out more here.
Sexual Health Dorset
Sexual health services across Dorset are managed by Dorset Healthcare - staff should use the following contact details:
- For clinical advice, patient referrals and to request an inpatient review, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - this email is monitored daily.
- For urgent advice, please contact the medical team on the telephone numbers provided in the link below or via target="_blank"https://www.consultantconnect.org.uk/
- For further contact details – click here.
Care first sessions next week
Care first is our employee assistance provider, offering a wide range of support and advice. The following sessions all take place, virtually, next week. All sessions run from 12-12.30pm.
