Staff self-isolating

We are currently reviewing the updated guidance from NHS England for anyone who has been double vaccinated not needing to self isolate if contacted through NHS Test and Trace or the NHS Covid-19 app. We will share our guidelines for what this will mean to staff and when they can return to work if contacted as soon as possible.

New pathology LIMS live today

Pathology and IT teams have been working on a major project across Dorset to implement a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) which will provide a single pathology system for Dorset. The existing LIMS will be replaced by Clinisys WinPath Enterprise and the new system will go live today (17 August).

Urgent requests

• In support of the go live please limit pathology requests to urgent only today.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) alerts

• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) alerts are determined by comparing the current result with a previous result issued within the last year
• The change in the LIMS today will result in a number of a AKI patients alerts not being released due to a gap in the availability of historic results
• We anticipate that the historic creatinine results will be available by 23 August. As always, correlate biochemical results with the clinical picture
• Please be extra vigilant if a patient is at risk of AKI

Blood Transfusion

• From today the blood transfusion laboratory will not be able to use historic blood group data for the provision of group compatible blood components due to the installation of the new (LIMS) containing a blank database. This means any patient requiring any blood component will not have a historic blood group on record. Therefore all patients will require two samples, taken separately, for group compatible blood component issue.
• Emergency group O red cells (and group AB plasma) will still be available if absolutely necessary – as per Major Haemorrhage protocol
• From 09:30am today BloodTrack will be unavailable across the two hospitals for the majority of the day whilst it is being interfaced to the new LIMS.
• During this downtime all blood components will require collection from the laboratory using the contingency paper based system.

Results look up

• Please be aware that there is an issue with Graphnet EPR where multiple versions of the results may be visible. All of the results are correct. Unfortunately the number of these results will increase with the new system until Graphnet can resolve the issue or when the method of sending the results is replaced later in the year. This does not affect the graphing function, hence this may be the clearest way to view numerical results.
• Please use additional care to ensure you are viewing the most recent update.

There may be some service disruption this week during the implementation and we apologise for any inconvenience. If you have any issues or queries please contact Paul Massey - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ext 4780.

RBH: Changes to standard operating procedure (SOP) of oral nutritional supplements

The SOP for the administration of oral nutritional supplements during Covid-19 pressures without dietetic assessment has now been stood down. After consultation it has been replaced with the administration of oral nutritional supplements without dietetic assessment SOP, for use on the older person assessment unit only. More information is available on the nutrition and dietetics and nursing policies pages of the RBCH intranet.

Please continue to refer all patients with a MUST score of two or more to the RBH dietetic team on ext. 4732 and the Poole dietetic team via EPR.

You can check te nursing policies page to view the ward based care plans that should be followed at RBH.

Please get in touch if you have any questions or queries This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Reporting suspicious posters

It has been reported that anti-vaccination and anti-face mask posters have been placed at some hospitals and vaccination centres across the UK, with the intention to harm those who try to remove them using concealed sharp objects.

Our sites have been checked for these posters and none have been found, however if you see a poster you think looks suspicious please do not try to remove it.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you see one of these posters and staff can be assigned with PPE in place to dispose of it.

Email contact details for the information governance department

Please note the correct email address for the information governance department is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All emails for the team should be sent to this address.

The previous email address (which can be recognised as having 'PHT' included within it) can no longer be accessed. Please do not use this as emails will not be received.

Reverse mentors and mentees wanted

Our new UHD reverse mentoring programme proactively supports leaders (mentees) to better understand the workplace challenges of underrepresented staff (mentors). Underrepresented staff include those in groups such as LGBTQ+, BAME, non-British European staff, or those with disabilities.

Reverse mentors will mentor the senior leaders, helping to build new relationships and giving them an opportunity to discuss careers, observations and suggestions on how to improve our inclusion culture, influencing mindsets and creating joint learning – one conversation at a time.

Please see the equality, diversity and inclusion pages on the RBCH intranet for more information.

Our Dorset Attend Anywhere outpatients update

Last month 1,968 video consultations across UHD and Dorset County Hospital were held saving 51,362 travel miles for patients, 795 car parking spaces and 10.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The 'group consultation' feature has been advanced in the Attend Anywhere testing phase. It's intended group consultations will include the following features:

• dedicated group consultation waiting areas
• start call with all callers button
• only providers will be able to see other callers full names
• raise hand function.

If you want to express an early interest in piloting this functionality, please do This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Click here for a leaflet for patients under the age of 12 explaining how a video consultation works to improve their confidence and understanding of the service.

Please also be advised that to avoid screen sharing issues use Google Chrome to perform video consultations using Attend Anywhere.

Don't forget to share your experiences of end of life care in the NACEL survey.

If you play any part in end-of-life care, your opinions matter in the National Audit of Care at the End of Life (NACEL). Whether you work in a clinical or non-clinical role, share your views and help to ensure UHD gets end-of-life care right.

RBH: click here to submit your survey.
Poole: click here to submit your survey.

UNISON pay consultation

Following the government announcement on the NHS pay award, UNISON is running a consultative ballot for members, to give us a view on whether to challenge this pay award or accept it.

UNISON will be visiting RBH on Thursday (19 August) 11am-3pm and will have a gazebo on the grass area by the lake, close to the restaurant side.

We will also shortly confirm details for visiting Poole Hospital site.

Please come along and get the latest information and ensure that your voice is heard. Your vote matters!

Re-shape the health and care landscape as an independent chair of NHS integrated care systems (ICS)

NHS ICSs are partnerships of health and care organisations, local government, and the voluntary sector.

The ICS is looking for candidates to be independent chairs who will develop these systems and, subject to legislation, support the proposed establishment of each system's new statutory arrangements.

To succeed you will need to have excellent strategic leadership skills, be an EDI champion, be politically astute, drive transformational improvements in healthcare and be an excellent communicator.

Click here for more information.

Understanding our travel decisions

This week is your last chance to take part in a study to help us understand your attitudes towards cycling to work, to inform our travel strategy.

This survey, supported by our clinical audit department, aims to identify what can be done to support people who would like to cycle but currently don't. The survey is run by Kerstin, who is studying towards a MSc in Public Health at Bournemouth University.

Click here to take the survey.

Job of the week – Radiology staff nurse at RBH

With the growth in service provision this is an opportunity for an experienced general nurse to join a multi professional team and develop their career and skills within the imaging specialty of interventional radiology.

The varied nature of this specialty means there is always something new and interesting to learn. The post consists of a variety of roles including working as a scrub assistant for sterile interventional procedures, circulating nurse duties for recording patients' observations, IV drug administration and managing patient care during the pre, peri and post-operative stages of treatment.

Click here for more information, applications close on 1 September.

Wellbeing Weekly

This week your weekly wellbeing offers include Care First sessions, Nurse Lifeline listening support, and the opportunity to join the autumn Strengthen Your Resilience programme.

Please check the intranet A-Z under W for the wellbeing pages.

Two for one tickets for NHS staff

The Christchurch Regent Centre is offering two for one tickets to their Summer Spectacular to UHD staff and volunteers. The show runs from 26-29 August and will whisk you through all your favourite party tunes, from the Spice Girls to Van Halen, Stevie Wonder and Queen.

To book your tickets: call the box office on 01202 499199 and quote 'two for one offer' or online here and enter 241OFFER in the promo code box.