Second vaccine dose bookings available

Thanks to everyone who has booked their appointment to receive the second dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccination.

The sheer volume of staff accessing the online booking portal when it opened last Wednesday meant some users experienced delays or other problems when booking. If you have tried unsuccessfully, or have not yet made your booking, please do so now.

Reminder: inpatient Covid-19 vaccination referrals now open

Inpatients in eligible criteria can now be referred by the consultant responsible for their care for a first Covid-19 vaccination.

Details on which patients this service is open to, and how to refer, are available on the intranet.

All staff are encouraged to consider whether a patient meets the criteria, and to highlight them to medical or nursing teams.

Patients will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine and a member of the inpatient vaccination team will come to the ward to give the vaccine as soon as possible.

New action cards

A full list of action cards can be found on the intranet.

Please ensure you consistently take a patient's travel history. Click here for the latest list of 'red list' ban countries.

REMINDER: watch staff talk about their outbreak experiences

Colleagues across UHD have been reflecting on their experiences of outbreaks and caring during the pandemic in this short video.

Watch the film and take a few minutes to reflect on your own experiences, consider how you can REFRESH your own approach to infection control, and reach out if you have any concerns or there is anything you are unsure about - it's always ok to ask.

IT service desk changes

The IT service desk no longer accepts new jobs via email.

Any issue/request sent by email will not have been logged.

How to log a job on the IT self-service portal:

The portal can be accessed here for staff. Those not employed by UHD can click here.

The IT self-service portal is used to centralise all IT service requests and incidents.

There's also a link on all web browsers titled 'IT Helpdesk – LogIT' under your browser's 'managed bookmarks' > 'Workforce systems'.

Please use the portal to log your issue or request. Alternatively, you can phone the IT service desk during office hours on ext. 4222 (RBCH) or ext. 2347 (Poole).

Having a single place for all incidents and requests to be logged means our IT teams will be better able to prioritise and respond to your queries, as well as helping build a database of information which will enable we look at recurring issues and take proactive measures.

If you have any questions about the new portal, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

An introduction to patient initiated follow-up – Dorset ICS webinar

This webinar chaired by Dr Alyson O'Donnell, chief medical officer, will take place on 24 March, 9.30-11am.

Recognised locally and nationally, patient initiated follow up (PIFU) supports the delivery of outpatient services. Alongside supporting patients with self-management and shared decision making, PIFU can ease pressures on services and support clinicians to deliver the right care, in the right place at the right time. By working in collaboration, we intend to implement PIFU across Dorset over the coming months. Join our upcoming online webinar with live Q and A on Teams to find out more.

Clinical practice team new appointment

We are delighted to announce that Louisa Way has been appointed to lead the newly formed clinical practice team at UHD. As head of clinical practice, Louisa will lead the tissue viability, falls prevention, and moving and handling teams. She will also lead nursing documentation, policies and procedures and the digital nursing agenda including IT specialist nurses.

Louisa has a wealth of experience to bring to this new post as we move forward in establishing our services across the trust.

Service personnel support

Our support from MoD service personnel to help manage our Covid-19 response is about to end. We are very grateful for everything they have done during their time here and are arranging an appropriate send off for the team. If you have any thanks or reflections on what the support has meant to you or your team that you would like to share, please email these by Thursday 4 March to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Registered nurse degree apprenticeships

Applications are now open for anyone interested in applying for the nursing apprenticeship within Dorset. All applications must be made through the Join our Dorset website. Information can be found on the intranet, by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Poole) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (RBCH) or see these FAQs.

RBH: podiatrist limited ward cover

Due to staff sickness there will be limited ward cover by the podiatrists over the next two to three weeks. For any urgent clinical queries please contact ext. 4811 where advice can be sought, however a ward visit cannot be guaranteed.

Lymphoedema Awareness Week

Lymphoedema Awareness Week runs from 1-6 March.

Lymphoedema is chronic swelling due to damaged lymphatics. Movement and activity are the best ways to get your lymphatic system working and aid drainage. Whether you choose to walk, dance, walk your dog, swim, do yoga, pilates, household activities or activity from chairs, these are all beneficial.

This year the awareness week is focusing on #everybodycan, #lymhphoedema, and exercise and activity.

For more information contact the lymphoedema clinic, based in Forest Holme, on ext. 8423.

POOLE – Krzysztof's funeral to be broadcast in lecture theatre

The lecture theatre will broadcast the funeral of Krzysztof Gogolewski, porter at St Mary's maternity unit, from 1pm next Monday (8 March) to enable staff to gather together who may wish to. To support social distancing, the venue is limited to 30 people, and will be available from 12.45-1.45pm.

Alternatively, staff can join the funeral via https://www.obitus.com/. You will need the following details - user name: Geyu1159 and password: 992525.

A guard of honour on Longfleet Road is planned by Krzysztof's portering colleagues as the hearse makes its way past the hospital at around 12.30pm.

Have you had your flu jab elsewhere?

If you have had your flu jab outside of the trust, eg at your GP or pharmacy, please contact occupational health to let them know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Free bike maintenance

Bike Fixed will be visiting UHD on the following dates to offer a free bike tune up for staff:

• Tuesday 16 March: Bournemouth Hospital
• Wednesday 17 March: Poole Hospital
• Thursday 18 March: Christchurch Hospital

The tune up is funded by a national cycling charity, Cycling UK, as part of their Big Bike Revival campaign. It is completely free for staff. Dave, the mechanic, will make minor adjustments such as tightening brakes, pumping up tyres and indexing gears.

If you suspect your bike may need replacement parts, Dave may be able to supply these, however these are not covered as part of the free tune up and therefore will incur a charge. If Dave spots something which needs to be replaced, he'll advise you about this at the time of the service.

A limited number of appointments between 9am-3pm are available on each date. If you'd like your bike to be serviced, please email Elliot Prescott, travel and transport manager This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Job of the week

We are looking for a band 4 moving and handling trainer.

You will be responsible for assisting and supporting the moving and handling risk advisor in maintaining, developing and delivering the moving and handling policy through the organisation, providing on-going support and education within the classroom and clinical settings. You will also assist the wider team including falls prevention, management and tissue viability teams. Click here to view the full job description and to apply.

To view and apply for all our internal and external vacancies click here.

Have your say on the Transforming Cities Fund sustainable transport routes

Consultation on the proposed 78km of new cycling and walking routes and bus improvements across south east Dorset is now live and BCP are encouraging you to have your say.

BCP Council and Dorset Council are proposing six new sustainable travel routes, funded through the £100+ million Transforming Cities Fund.

The first phase of consultation runs is now underway and runs until the end of March, for these four routes:

• Bournemouth railway station to/from Jumpers Common, Christchurch
• Bournemouth town centre to/from Ferndown
• Poole town centre to/from Wareham Road, Holton Heath
• Poole town centre to/from Merley, Poole

You can use the online consultation platform to view detailed plans and maps and complete a feedback survey to help create a greener, healthier, and better-connected region.

Care First webinars

Care First, our employee assistance programme, is putting on webinars this week and next. The themes are:

• Tuesday 2 March, 12-12.30pm – Covid-19 vaccines
• Wednesday 3 March, 12-12.30pm – Support
• Thursday 4 March, 12-12.30pm – Change, loss and bereavement
• Friday 5 March, 12-12.30pm – Maintaining routines for back to school

Roadworks

Click here for a list of the current roadworks taking place.