Festive guidance out now

We're pleased to be able to relax some of the infection, prevention and control restrictions that were in place during last year's festive season. While Covid-19 has not gone away and remains a real threat, our aim is to strike a balance between ensuring staff, patients and visitors can enter into the festive spirit whilst doing so safely.

The guidance covers topics including decorations, Christmas trees and gatherings. Click here to read it.

A festive thank you to our staff

This has been a year like no other. You have had to work harder than ever before as the pressure across our health systems has never let up.

We know how difficult it has been and this year we are giving every member of staff, including bank staff who have received a payment from UHD in the last three months, a £10 voucher to say thank you.

The vouchers will be funded by University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity.

Further details of how these vouchers will be distributed to follow.

Thank you again for everything you do to help care for our patients and to support each other.

Take five and protect yourself all winter

Flu trollies staffed by occupational health professionals offering the flu vaccination will be out and about in Poole and Bournemouth hospitals this weekend, from 9am-2pm on Saturday and 10am-2pm on Sunday. If you see one and haven't yet had your flu jab, take five minutes to protect yourself this winter.

Further trolley rounds are planned in the coming weeks – keep up to date with these in this bulletin and on the intranet.

Having the flu jab is an effective way of guarding against seasonal flu, which is present in the community and already arriving in our hospitals. Alongside the Covid-19 booster (or first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine if you have not already had these), it's the best way to take positive action to protect yourself this winter.

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

Check the intranet latest news for a full list of these clinics, taking place in addition to the trolley rounds.

For details on how you can have your Covid-19 booster, or arrange your first or second vaccination dose, click here.

Don't forget your twice weekly lateral flow tests

It is incredibly important we all continue to complete twice weekly lateral flow tests, uploading the results to our secure web portal, mytest.uhd.nhs.uk.

Self-testing is helping to prevent the spread of the virus and we have a responsibility to report these results to NHS England.

Poole: test kits are available for collection from 9.15 – 10.15 Monday to Friday from Cornelia Lounge, room CO1-01. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the details of how many test kits are required and which department they are for prior to collection.

RBH: test kits are available for collection from good inwards from 8am-4pm Monday to Friday

Don't forget, if you test positive on your home device, or if you have any symptoms, you need to self-isolate immediately and have a follow-up PCR test with our swabbing team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Find out more about self-testing, including a video on how to do it, on our Covid intranet pages.

RBH: Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) temporary relocation

The PALS service is temporarily relocating to Poole Hospital. This will not affect the service provided and will continue to be able to discuss and resolve concerns for Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals.

Please phone the team on 0300 019 8499, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Our website, www.uhd.nhs.uk, has up-to-date advice for patients and families on how to raise concerns, compliments and complaints.

New national cleaning standards

New national standards of healthcare cleanliness are being introduced later this month and apply to all healthcare environments. These replace the previous cleaning and monitoring frameworks, e.g. PLACE assessments.

The new standards were created by NHS England and NHS Improvement, and will build on the great work already taking place within UHD. The emphasis is on a multidisciplinary approach, with our housekeeping, cleaning and estates teams supported by nursing and other clinical colleagues.

Each care group is currently designing and agreeing its own cleaning regime to meet the standards before they are rolled out later this month. Posters will be displayed at the entrances to work areas, showing the current (star) cleanliness rating for that area.

For information on how your care group will be implementing the new standards, speak to your ward sister or matron.

For more information on the implementation of the national standards of healthcare cleanliness at University Hospitals Dorset contact Mike Richardson, UHD facilities manager, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Together we can make a difference – NHS Staff Survey

It's important that we all take the time to complete our national NHS Staff Survey. Our views will help us to shape the future of UHD.

By giving just 15 minutes of your time you can help make the NHS the workplace we all want it to be.

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

Catch up on your all staff briefing

Did you miss Wednesday's all staff briefing? Catch up here.

The meeting included a Q and A session with our chief executive, Debbie Fleming, and topics covered included operational performance and pressures, an update on CEO recruitment process and ICS chief executive appointment, the staff survey, the upcoming QI celebration event and our buildings and modular theatre at RBH.

POOLE: Five new virtual consultation rooms in main outpatients

New virtual consultation rooms are located at the main outpatient department, pink zone level 0 and are part of the outpatient transformation programme. These are planned to be used across the trust, so clinicians have a dedicated room to use for virtual consultations.

The small rooms provide a bright and airy dedicated space which comprises of dual monitor screens, telephones, and air conditioning. The rooms will provide us with further capability to continue to grow remote outpatient attendances where clinically appropriate and provide clinicians with a resource that will support their digital first approach to their clinic template reviews now and into the future.

The rooms can be booked via the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and will be added to the Bookwise room booking system as soon as possible.

International Fraud Awareness Week - could you be our new counter fraud champion?

This week we have been highlighting the work we do to prevent, detect and take action against those who commit fraud. We are committed to ensuring UHD is a safe place to work and that our resources are protected and used in the manner intended; and we can all help achieve this by remaining vigilant to any fraud related threats.

We are looking for someone with a keen interest in tackling fraud to help Pete Papworth, our chief finance officer, as our counter fraud champion. You will be helping to raise awareness of fraud, bribery and corruption within the organisation at a strategic level and will suggest areas for improvement. If you would like to find out more about this new, voluntary role, go to the counter fraud pages on the intranet or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Don't forget to attend our remote training sessions next week, held by our counter fraud team to remind you of our fraud risks, how we can tackle them, and how you can protect yourself.

If you are in doubt about anything related to fraud then please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., one of our Counter Fraud colleagues, our Freedom to Speak up Guardian This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or any of our Freedom to Speak up Ambassadors.

Get ready to celebrate quality improvement (Qi)

Next week look out for a range of events designed to celebrate the staff, teams and projects within the trust which are improving patient care.

As part of the annual NHS Fab Change Day next Wednesday (24 November) our Qi team will across our sites with displays to promote some of the leading submissions to the trust-wide poster campaign.

Visit the teams in the dome at Poole and the restaurant at RBH from 12-2pm and the entrances at XCH from 12.30-1.30pm.

You can view all the submitted projects as well as more details on quality improvement at UHD here.

International Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today at 11am we held a service in the Poole Hospital Prayer Space to remember and hold in our hearts transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of violence.

We stood in solidarity with all those who because of discrimination, prejudice, fear, intimidation and violence have been made vulnerable or feel diminished due to their sexual identity, race, culture, belief or diverse ability.

You can watch the event back on our UHD Facebook page.

Help is at hand for people suffering COVID-19 after-effects

A new service has been set up to help people across Dorset recover from lingering after-effects of COVID-19.

Around one in ten people who contract the virus have persistent symptoms which can last for months (also known as 'Long COVID'), affecting their quality of life, relationships, and ability to work.

Dorset HealthCare has established a post-COVID syndrome (PCS) service, which will support patients with self-management or direct them to specialist advice or treatment.

People who have had symptoms for 12 weeks or more, are being urged contact their GP. If tests rule out other causes, and more help is required, GPs can refer patients to the PCS Service for specialist support and guidance.

Common PCS symptoms include:

• fatigue
• breathlessness
• headaches
• brain 'fog'
• pain in the joints or chest.

Once referred, PCS staff will carry out an in-depth assessment of the patient, and a team of healthcare professionals will then decide on the best way forward.

This could involve help with self-management around diet, breathing, relaxation and exercise, or support from staff specialising in rehabilitation, respiratory problems, mental health, pain management or other services.

To find out more, visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/post-covid-syndrome.

Our response to the increase in UK terror threat level

Following the terrorist incident at Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday (14 November) and the murder of MP Sir David Ames in October, the UK Threat Level has been raised from 'substantial' to 'severe'.

This means that it is 'highly likely' that a terrorist attack could happen in the UK. We have been reassured however by Counter Terrorism policing that this change is a precautionary measure and not based on any specific threat either to Dorset or the NHS.

What we have done

• Undertaken a review of our security and emergency planning process to ensure they are up to date and reflect current guidance and best practice
• Briefed our Security and Portering teams who will as always will remain alert.
• Liaised with Counter Terrorism policing, Dorset Police and NHSEI

What we are asking of teams

• Remain vigilant at all times and if unsure either challenge or report on a 2222 internally
• Estates and contractors to be reminded not to leave unattended tool bags and equipment
• Maintain regular contact with the trust communications (staff bulletin and core brief) to receive updates
• Raise any concerns at your local team briefing for onward escalation

You are also encouraged to read the following www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/WeaponAttacksStaySafe.aspx.

Register for self-service password resets

It's easier than ever for you to recover your Microsoft password if you forget it.

You can reset, unlock, or change your password without having to contact our IT team by registering for self-service password reset (SSPR).

You can complete the sign-up process using your existing username and password and after you register if you ever forget your password, you can reset it again yourself.

Click here to register for the service.

Updated social media policy

We have refreshed our social media policy so that it reflects the full list of other policies that work alongside it. In addition, we have inserted a new section that covers social media use during the Covid-19 pandemic. You can read the full policy on the non-clinical policies page on the Poole intranet.

Guidance on the national data opt-out

The national data opt-out (NDOO) allows patients to choose if they do not want their confidential information to be used for certain purposes beyond their individual care and treatment – for example for research, planning and some national audits.

All NHS trusts must comply with this standard by 31 March 2022.

The trust has produced some general guidance on the impact of the NDOO, and specific clinical audit guidance (available on the clinical audit intranet pages) on NDOO.

RBH: Locker audit underway

If you use a locker in the main staff changing rooms by the restaurant, or by the stairwell in the west wing please ensure you email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your details and locker number.

Failure to do so may result in your locker being issued to someone else.

It's two weeks to go for Purple Light Up Day

#PurpleLightUp is a global movement that celebrates the contribution of disabled employees around the world. It is held on the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December.

Our Purple Light Up Day celebrations are being organised by our ProAbility network. Some organisations mark the day by lighting up buildings in purple, while at UHD we will be hosting talks on Teams, open to all staff, with:

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, disabled GP trainee, Council Member of the British Medical Association, and Deputy Leader of the Women's Equality Party

Dr Liz O'Riordan, who due to her own stage 3 breast cancer treatment has been unable to complete operations in her own role as a consultant breast surgeon. She is now an ambassador for Working With Cancer to help empower cancer patients to return to work.

Find out more about the talks on the ProAbility network pages or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Email scam for NHS Covid-19 support payments

A scam email has been shared directly with some NHS staff offering access to a Covid-19 relief fund of nearly £3m. The emails are being sent from genuine NHS.net account however it has been taken over by fraudsters.

The fund is a scam which has no link to the NHS. If you enter your username and password to a fake log in page the fraudsters will be able to access your email account.

If you receive this email do not click on the link, report the email to our IT teams and delete it.

Don't forget to use your discounted Morebus tickets

Morebus offers discounted tickets for UHD staff.

To access your discount, download the Morebus app and use your UHD email address to create your account. Discount is available on all tickets above 7 days. Use the promo code 'DHT21YEAR' when purchasing your tickets.

If you have any issues with the app or retrieving your discount, please contact Morebus.

Carers Rights Day - celebrating and uniting unpaid carers across Dorset

Next Thursday (25 November) is Carers Rights Day. Join the Carers Dorset Festival, which includes 2 live events and 30 digital sessions. It celebrates Carers Rights Day by bringing together unpaid carers and organisations across Dorset. At the festival you can hear about UHD's carer hospital passport from 10.05 -10.35am

Our UHD carer support service will also be hosting a stand at the Prama Life Carers Information Day, Allendale Centre in Wimborne from 9am-12pm on 25 November.

For any further information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ext 8714 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Five handy video guides to help you cycle safely this winter

Cycling UK, a national charity designed to help more people cycle safely and enjoyably, have produced a series of video guides that will answer common questions about cycling on the roads.

You can download handy written guides on bike maintenance to keep on your phone, in case you need to quickly refer to something when you're out and about.

Your weekly wellbeing

This week we are happy to share that the NHS staff have been given free access to the Headspace mindfulness app until December 2022. Click here for more information.

Over on our wellbeing pages, find out about Our Dorset's Relax, Reset, Recharge four-week interactive program, learn how to get better sleep, sign up for posture courses plus much more.