Staff Bulletin 21 October 2022
Let's keep going - NHS Staff Survey 2022
This week, our staff survey response rates reached 22%. It's so important that every member of team UHD takes part, we want to hear from every single one of you whether that's celebrating success or highlighting areas for improvement.
If every one of the 2,045 staff that has responded so far encourages a colleague to fill it out, we could double our response rate by next week. The more staff that take part, the more we can learn about what's working and what's not.
The NHS Staff Survey is your chance to speak up and spark change. Check your inbox for an email from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and join the conversation! If you've received your invitation but haven't responded yet, you will get weekly reminders until 25 November. If you haven't received an invite yet, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please remember if you need to return your survey by post that there are postal strikes happening which will impact delivery so please return them as soon as possible. Strikes are scheduled to take place on the 4, 10, 16 and 25 November.
#SpeakUpSparkChange
Your wellbeing: Introducing Finance Friday
Each Friday we'll be signposting to financial wellbeing services, resources or tips that you can use, support or share. This week, we're highlighting the Access to Food Map app which shows you where to find community food support in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch and how to access it or donate to it.
Search for a specific area or browse the full map to find local community meals, foodbanks, social supermarkets and more. Download the app here.
Save the date for the next all staff briefing
Join us for the all staff briefing at Christchurch in the gym or online on Teams here, at 8am on Wednesday 2 November. After the live briefing, there will be an opportunity to catch up with Siobhan and our execs and to ask questions until 9am. Refreshments will be provided.
POOLE: Changes to sample collections
A message from laboratory manager, Andy Barber:
Following an update from the supplier to this assay it is necessary to change the collection kit and sample types required for combined SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B and RSV.
The pre-packed transport medium and swab have been replaced with individual components. The volume of fluid in the tube has also increased from 1ml to 3ml. Swabs and transport media are available from the microbiology lab.
The accepted sample types for this new assay are currently an anterior nasal swab or a nasopharyngeal swab. Please note that throat swabs are no longer validated for this test.
Launch of appointment reminder service delayed
The planned launch of patient appointment reminders as part of our new outpatients portal has been delayed to enable further testing. We hope to launch the service shortly, and will let you know when a new date is agreed. Thanks to all who are supporting this project, which will give patients much easier and direct access to information about their outpatient care provided by most UHD specialties.
For more information on the new portal please see the intranet.
Lymph node pathway launching this week
The lymph node accelerated pathway is a pilot project funded by Wessex Cancer Alliance. It aims to improve time to biopsy and diagnosis for patients with abnormal lymph nodes who do not fit on existing cancer pathways.
Haematology consultants Renata Walewska and Darsh Furby along with clinical nurse specialists Katie Major are available for advice and support for patients who may fit this criteria.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to refer patients and search 'lymph node pathway' on the intranet for further information.
Change of thickener
A new food thickening product is being implemented from 1 November. Training representatives from Fresenius Kabi will be on site from 24 October to train ward staff in the use of this product for thickening patient's drinks. Any questions, contact speech and language therapy at RBH ext. 4437 or bleep 2229. For Poole ext. 2933 or bleep 0240/0630.
Leading your team through integration
Are you managing a team that you need to bring together in support of the wider integration work? Does your team need to work more effectively together?
Book yourself on to one of our 'leading your team through integration' workshops for team leaders, designed to support you with tools and techniques to get your team started on their team development journey.
Book your place on the leadership development pages of the intranet.
Well done Professor Jonathan Cole!
Congratulations to Professor Jonathan Cole, consultant in clinical neurophysiology, for two amazing accolades.
He has recently been elected President of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, (only the third British physician to be so honoured since 1947). And last month, Jonathan was awarded the British Society of Clinical Neurophysiology's highest award, the Grey-Walter Medal, for 'outstanding service.' He is the 8th recipient of this in over 40 years. Well done!
Treat your taste buds to some traditional dishes for Black History Month
Join in our Black History Month celebrations and purchase some Caribbean, African and Indian food from our Shelley and Dolphin restaurants on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 October. Our catering team has been working with our BAME Network to put together a menu that includes a variety of dishes including:
- One pot jerk-style chicken and rice
- Nigerian jollof rice
- Fufu with chicken pepper soup
- Chana masala (vegan)
We'd love to see you all enjoying these delicious dishes, share your photos and tag us on socials @UHD_NHS
Keep learning during Black History Month
Our library team has put together some fantastic resources including stories about black workers in the NHS, book, TV and film recommendations and Dorset events. Check it out here.
Liftshare is here – get priority parking and save up to 50% on fuel
With other Dorset NHS colleagues we've launched Liftshare. It's the opportunity for you to get priority parking on site, save up to £1,000 a year in fuel costs, all while doing your bit for the planet! To find out more information on how to sign up to the Liftsharing community, click here.
New streptokinase CPI flag on EPR SK12M
Streptokinase is a thrombolytic agent that could be required as an alternative to alteplase/tenecteplase during the current shortage, as outlined in the recently distributed policy (please see the medicines policies pages on the intranet).
Patients who are given streptokinase can develop antibodies to the drug meaning that further doses between five days and 12 months after the initial dose will be less effective, so patients should receive an alternative agent. A CPI flag for EPR has now been created to help clinicians identify patients who have received streptokinase in the last 12 months. Medical/pharmacy teams should email the EPMA team if a patient is given streptokinase to apply the CPI flag.
