Staff Bulletin 25 May 2021
"Keep the genie in the bottle"
It's great to see society moving towards a more normal footing in recent days as lockdown measures ease. This has been made possible through your hard work and vigilance.
But as life outside the hospital starts to look and perhaps feel different, now is the time for us all to keep a firm grip on the measures in our hospitals that have led us to this position. Our infection prevention and control measures remain, in order to continue to protect ourselves, our colleagues, our families and our patients.
This means not only things like wearing the right PPE for the environment you are in and for the patients you are caring for, using the supplied surgical face mask (not your own, unless exempt) while in our hospitals, and observing excellent hand hygiene practices, but continuing to use the lateral flow testing kits supplied to you, and importantly, logging your results.
The lateral flow test can be seen as an ‘early warning system' that can pick up Covid-19 infections even when symptoms are not present. Remember - Covid-19 can be passed on without symptoms.
Please do not travel into or out of work in your uniform, or wear it in areas like smoking shelters, as this can increase the risk of spreading the illness.
It may look and feel different in our hospitals compared to outside them, but by maintaining our vigilance, we are protecting each other and those we care for.
You can watch our chief medical officer, Dr Alyson O'Donnell, and our infection prevention and control lead nurse, Paul Bolton, explain why it's important to "keep the genie in the bottle" at last week's Ask Aly virtual event here.
Showing your Covid-19 vaccine status
Some of you have been asking how to demonstrate you've had one or both Covid-19 injections. This may be useful if you are planning a holiday abroad which is dependent on your vaccine status.
The Government's Covid-19 website has lots of useful information on how to do this, including fully digitally, or on paper.
One of the simplest ways is to download the NHS App (note: this is not the same as the Test and Trace app you may already have). After a few security checks, the app will display your vaccination status once that data has been uploaded by the NHS. It also offers lots more functionality beyond Covid-19 vaccination information.
For detailed information on demonstrating your vaccine status and how you may use this, click here.
Wellbeing offering for bank-only workers
To recognise the contribution of our bank only workers throughout Covid-19 Love2shop vouchers will be available from the Trust to say thank you to bank only staff who have been part of our workforce throughout the pandemic.
Bank registrant must have held an active bank only assignment between March 2020 – February 2021 and have worked consistently throughout, completing minimum 384 hours or 48 duties throughout the qualifying period, a minimum 15 hours or two duties per month, and a break of no more than three months.
Qualifying staff will be contacted by Temporary Staffing to collect the vouchers. You will be allocated an in-person collection slot, please ensure to bring your UHD trust ID badge to your allocated slot.
Vouchers are to be collected by 30 September 2021 and will be valid until September 2023. If you have not received a call by Friday 25 June and believe you meet the above criteria, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (RBH) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. from Monday 28 June 2021.
Employee relations case investigator training
As part of our culture of being inclusive, open and honest, and always improving, when one of Team UHD raises a complaint, or there's an issue with conduct or behaviours, we make sure it is investigated properly by appropriate people specifically trained to carry out such investigations. We're looking for more people to become investigators – could this be you?
Those who complete the training will be placed on the trust's register of trained investigators and will be appointed to investigate complaints arising under the civility, respect and dignity at work policy, grievance policy and in some cases issues relating to conduct under the disciplinary policy. Investigations are carried out in accordance with our own policies and procedures, best practice and legislative requirements.
In order to complete the training, it is essential that you have knowledge and/or experience of managing staff and dealing with employee relations issues on a day-to-day basis. You will also need to be able to commit to a minimum of two investigations a year. You will need skills in interviewing, report writing and presenting.
Investigators work trust-wide within clear terms of reference, ensuring that all investigations are conducted impartially and objectively. They usually work in pairs and are supported by an HR business partner or advisor.
Working as an investigator for the trust gives an enhanced understanding into trust HR policies and procedures and develops knowledge and a skill set useful in other management roles.
If you are interested please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by 4 June 2021 outlining in no more than 500 words:
- the qualities that make an effective investigator
- why you would be a good investigator
- your knowledge of trust HR policies and procedures
- your experience of managing employee relations issues
- why you think it is important to investigate staff related issues
The training will take place at Bournemouth and Poole on the following dates:
- Poole - 15 June 2021 from 2-5pm
- RBH - 18 June 2021 from 8.30-11.30am
Poole: ID badge office closure
The ID badge office at Poole will close at an earlier time of 12noon on Thursday 3 June.
Get involved in Bike Week 2021
It's Bike Week next week, designed to get people thinking about cycling, talking about cycling and, most importantly of all, actually cycling. We'll be running a series of activities to support the week as well as offering a range of prizes to be won. Cycling has never been easier and we want to support existing cyclists and encourage more staff to take up this activity. Watch out for Friday's bulletin for details of how to get involved.
NHS fraud - private working in NHS time
Our local counter fraud specialists would like to remind all of us that acts of private work during NHS working hours include:
- working virtually for another company
- booking private patients in for private treatments
- conducting private appointments with patients
If you are unclear on the terms of private working speak with your line manager or HR. If you are concerned about another member of staff's conduct you can confidentially contact CFA colleagues Matt Wilson and Heather Greenhowe. To get in touch email 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. or you can call 0800 028 40 60 anonymously.
Digital and analogue telephone issues
Across the trust old analogue phone systems are being phased out and being replaced with digital systems. These new systems operate through multiple servers, therefore will be far less susceptible to problems after the trust-wide roll out.
However, during this period of transition, software upgrades and maintenance will cause disruption to analogue extensions, as experienced last week. Going forward the new digital telephones should be used for all important extensions, but in the rare case of a serious network outage (as experienced last week) the analogue extensions can still be used to provide a limited emergency service to all areas using 2222. If you have any questions, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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 RBH.
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.
Click here for more information.
Care first wellbeing sessions this week
Click the link to join, all are held 12-12.30pm
