Covid-19 vaccinations for new UHD staff

UHD staff who have recently joined us and have not had either their first or second Covid-19 vaccination can now receive theirs at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), without needing an appointment.

Staff should arrive with their UHD identification badge, NHS number if known and, where relevant, the vaccination card from a first dose, and are strongly encouraged to attend when the facility is quietest between 10am-5pm. Otherwise, the centre is open from 8am-7.30pm, seven days a week.

The vaccination centre (which is operated by Dorset Healthcare - click here for location information) is now able to provide Pfizer vaccinations in addition to AstraZeneca.

'Booster' vaccine trial announced at UHD

Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, launched a new clinical trial looking at different Covid-19 "booster" vaccines this week. The Dorset Research Hub at Royal Bournemouth Hospital will be involved running the trials from the start of June, which will be the first in the world to provide vital data on the impact of a third dose on patients' immune responses. The initial results, expected in September, will help inform the potential booster programme later this year.

Laura Purandare, head of research for UHD, said: "We are really excited to be involved in this vital next step in clinical trials for covid vaccines, which are another world first led by the UK. UHD will be involved in the first wave of the study which is fantastic.

"This research is so important in ensuring we continue to get the benefits from the very efficient vaccine rollout and add to the knowledge base of whether a booster increases our antibodies."

Any UHD colleagues interested in taking part in the clinical trial can register their interest and find out more at www.covboost.org.uk.

Important information on staff training records

Recent changes to the electronic staff record (ESR) may have affected the appearance of your BEAT VLE, and as staff are 'moved' between Poole and Bournemouth, it may mean your once green brain turns red!

Planned work is being completed to merge the training codes for Bournemouth and Poole which takes time and can cause some visual changes on the BEAT VLE. The team would like to reassure staff all training records remain in the system but make them aware that while we are merging not all training is identical across the Trust due to differing processes and policies.

The team is working hard to manage the impact of these changes so we can provide staff with accurate training data and make clear on the BEAT VLE for staff and managers where training may be outstanding.

Tributes paid to Dr John Myatt

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr John Myatt, retired consultant anaesthetist. John died peacefully at home with his family, after a long illness, on Saturday 8 May. John was appointed as consultant in 1989 and worked in the anaesthetic department at Poole and Royal Bournemouth for some 30 years, retiring in 2019. In addition to his clinical work, John was clinical director for five years and was chair of the medical staff committee. John was an outstanding clinician who was respected and admired in equal measure by countless colleagues in all specialities as a teacher, medical leader, doctor and friend.

Donations in John's memory for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity Research Fund may be made via Tappers website tapperfuneralservice.co.uk.

Appraisal season extended until 30 September 2021

As part of our continued response to the pandemic, the decision has been taken to extend the appraisal season to the end of September this year. This longer timescale will also help to support quality appraisal conversations as new management structures are confirmed in some areas over the coming months. For further information about the UHD appraisal process, including training and links to forms and other supporting materials, visit the appraisal intranet pages.

RBH: Change of time to operational patient flow meetings

With ongoing work to align our services cross-sites, the clinical site management team will be launching a two-week trial to change the usual 10am operational patient flow (Ops OFSM) meeting at RBH to a new time of 9.15am from Monday (24 May).

This time change will enable staff with cross-site responsibilities to move between both Poole and RBH operational meetings. At the end of the trial feedback on the new time will be welcomed and amendments made if required.

New Teams meeting invites are being sent out, please accept these in order to join.

If you missed Ask Aly...

Thank you to all those who joined Ask Aly yesterday with our chief medical officer, Dr Alyson O'Donnell, and infection prevention and control lead nurse, Paul Bolton. There were lots of topics discussed, from the Covid roadmap and PPE, to transport, transformation and staff wellbeing. You can catch up on the meeting here.

Save the date – next month's Ask Aly takes place on Thursday 17 June from 12.30pm. We hope to see you there.

"I love the way it is so intuitive" - praise for Dorset Care Record

Tanya Hart, principal clinical scientist, has provided a case study on how the Dorset Care Record is providing a greater understanding of blood test results. You can read her thoughts here.

Additional training dates have been added for the Dorset Care Record webinar over the next three months. Anyone wishing to book a space on the 30 minute webinar should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with their name, job title and preferred slot. Sessions run at lunchtimes on the following dates:

• 26 May
• 2,9,16,23,30 June
• 7,14,21,28 July

Poole: Name our baby manikin

The simulation team at Poole is running a competition to name their newest baby simulator manikin. This advanced animatronic manikin moves, blinks, breathes, cries and can have seizures.

The team is looking for a gender neutral, inclusive, diverse name for the baby. The prize for picking the winning name is a £10 Amazon voucher, the winner will be announced Monday 24 May on Twitter @SimulationPoole and the winner will be contacted directly.

Submit entries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Training opportunity: how to have difficult conversations

Staff with line management responsibilities are invited to a leadership development session aimed at helping attendees develop techniques for managing difficult conversations. The virtual programme, delivered by Practive, aims to support delegates to increase their confidence and skills in handling difficult conversations, tackling poor behaviour and supporting individual performance.

Sessions will take place on:

• Tuesday 25 May, 9am – 1pm
• Thursday 3 June, 9am – 1pm

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

Health and Safety Audit Tool (HASAT) completion deadline end of June

The HASAT self-assessment deadline for completion is the end of June. This is a mandatory return and managers can access the form and further information on the Health and Safety intranet pages.

The purpose is to provide:

• evidence of a systematic audit in each department.
• a natural signpost towards required risk assessments, depending on department's needs.
• evidence that legal health and safety requirements are being met throughout the Trust in accordance with current legislation.
• an opportunity for audit input by Associate Operational Managers and Risk Managers if necessary.

For further support please contact your Local Health and Safety Advisor.

Website accessibility for all

In keeping with our 'we are inclusive' UHD value, the UHD website is equipped with Recite Me, which allows any user to customise the site based on their accessibility needs.

The Recite Me toolbar can provide text to speech functionality, reading support aids, translation, custom background colours, text sizes and more. Recite Me can be accessed by clicking on the 'languages and accessibility' tab on the top left of the UHD website.

RBH: Patient review delays - dementia and delirium

Until Monday 7 June only one nurse is working in the dementia and delirium team at RBH, therefore there may be delays in reviewing patients.

RBH: Window cleaning

Window cleaners will be on site from Monday 24 May to clean the Atrium and both phases of RBH. They will be cleaning the inside and outside of the hospital.

Please make sure that you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your windows. Any problems with the service must be raised whilst they are on site either on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone ext. 4454.

Randomised coffee trials

Time is running out to sign up to meet new colleagues and share ideas at the randomised coffee trials. Please contact the library at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more and sign up. The closing date to register is Monday 31 May.

Job of the week: staff nurse general medical ward

Do you have the passion and knowledge to provide excellent care to acute respiratory, gastroenterology, endocrine and general medical patients? Do you place value on teamwork, communication and excellent career development? If so come and join our Ward 2 team here at RBCH.

Ward 2 takes admissions straight from AMU for gastro, endocrine, respiratory and general medical patients. The patients admitted to Ward 2 come from a variety of medical backgrounds, giving you the opportunity to utilise and develop the skills needed to care for patients with diverse needs.

A team that hold focus on teamwork and development, we have many cases of staff career development; From Band 2's becoming band 4 associate practitioners and moving on to becoming registered nurses to staff nurses becoming clinical leaders. Read more about the job here.

Temporary closure of staff parking facility at Barclays House, Poole

Urgent repair works are being carried out at a Barclays House parking facility, that some Poole Hospital staff have registered to use until 3 June.

Alternative parking is being provided in the basement level of Barclay's House multi-storey car park - enter the car park using the right hand lane, turn right immediately upon entering the car park and turn left, down the ramp into the basement. The car park operates on an IN ONLY system until 9.30am - if you need to exit in the event of an emergency prior to this, proceed with caution and look both ways. After 4pm, the car park is EXIT ONLY so please do not enter.

Please display your parking permit clearly in the window of your vehicle, and note the speed limit is 5 mph.

National Support Worker Voice Event

The first National Support Worker Voice Event is being held on Wednesday 2 June from 1:30-3pm. The network aims to connect all support workers in all roles in Health and Social Care. The event will look at how to contribute to the support worker development agenda. The first event will explore how best to engage everyone – so join up and get your voice heard! The event will be held on MS Teams, to register please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Poole CDC car park reopened

The works to repair the sinkhole in the CDC car park of Poole Hospital is now complete and the car park has re-opened.

• Monday (24 May), How Care first can support you
• Tuesday, Supporting loved ones overseas during the pandemic
• Wednesday, How feelings of loneliness and isolation can make it difficult to re-interact after lockdown
• Thursday, How can you tell if someone is struggling with their mental health
• Friday, Alcohol awareness: drinking safely as lockdown eases