Delta variant – what you need to know

You may have noted that unfortunately the number of Covid-19 cases are starting to rise again within the BCP community. Outbreaks have been reported within school-age children, the hospitality sector as well as community care areas. The dominant strain is the Delta variant.

It is as important as ever that we follow the principles of hands, face and space to reduce the risk of exposure, even if you are fully vaccinated.

The national definitions for symptoms of Covid-19 remains a high temperature, continuous new cough and a loss or change in a sense of smell or taste. For school-age children, indications from the latest studies show that symptoms may be limited to fatigue, headache, fever, sore throat or loss of appetite.

Asymptomatic infections are playing a key part in community outbreaks and transmission from person to person so completing the lateral flow test and reporting using the link https://mytest.uhd.nhs.uk/, is essential so that we can continue to play our part in reducing the number of infections that could spread to our colleagues, patients and families.

If you are notified as a contact of a confirmed case, you must follow the guidance from Public Health England to self-isolate for 10 days. Currently there are no provisions for you to self-test and return to work although nationally this is being reviewed. Remember to turn the NHS Covid-19 app OFF once you are in the hospital building and turn this back off again as you leave.

If you are symptomatic, please arrange for a PCR swab from our swabbing teams: 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..

If you wear a uniform as part of your work, please make sure that you go home and arrive in non-uniform clothing. The public we care for and other colleagues have reported that that they are seeing colleagues from UHD leaving the trust wearing their uniform, including getting on public transport.

Thank you for your ongoing vigilance.

Single PAS is coming...

You may have heard about a project to create a single patient administration system (PAS) across University Hospitals Dorset has started. A single PAS will allow waiting times to be standardised across our hospitals through single speciality-level waiting lists, create a more efficient booking process and improve our clinical oversight of patients, to name just a few benefits.

The single PAS is an extension of the current PAS systems currently in use, and while not a completely new system, it will mean some changes for those staff who use our current PAS systems, and for teams whose own systems rely on PAS.

The single PAS team has been contacting services and departments over the past few weeks to help raise awareness of the project and to start creating detailed plans to support the move to a single PAS. The team has also created a dedicated intranet section containing a wealth of information about the project, look for 'UHD Patient Administration System (PAS)' under P on the intranet A-Z.

You'll be hearing lots more about the single PAS project in the coming weeks and months.

For comments and queries about the project email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RBH big build naming – still time to select your favourite...

Thanks to everyone who has sent in their preference for the name for the new 'big build' under construction at RBH – we've had an amazing 660 responses to date.

You still have until 2 July to choose your favourite from the top three selected by our shortlisting panel. Check the latest news on the intranet for more information and to take the survey.>

POOLE: All employee changes moving online next Thursday

A reminder that from Thursday (1 July) all employee changes must be logged using the Image Now e-forms portal and the ESR manager self-service and the pink paper forms will no longer be used.

For example, changes to hours, which are currently processed using pink forms will now be completed online. This will make changes process faster and ensure that the ESR and rostered hours match. Other changes include department changes, returns from maternity leave and terminations.

If you need training in either of these programs contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information and user guides for the ESR visit the intranet pages.

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

What to do if you receive an email from a recruitment agency

There have been several reports of staff receiving emails from recruitment agency suppliers.

To ensure our engagement with external agencies suppliers is consistent and meets our governance processes, HR would like to advise all managers and departments to redirect these e-mails to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you receive one of these emails or calls please forward it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and then delete it.

Domestic abuse training cancelled

Domestic abuse training on 7 July has been cancelled, we apologise for any inconvenience this causes. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on rebooking.

Green Plan: the importance of contact with nature

In the latest video to mark the launch of UHD's Green Plan, Stuart Lane, sustainability and carbon manager, explains how we're helping to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of our staff, patients and the wider community through access to green space, biodiversity and interactions with nature on our sites. You can watch his video here.

New standard operating procedure (SOP) for steroid cards

Following a national patient safety alert, there is a new SOP and guidance on the use of steroid cards. Dr Georgina Page will be presenting what this means for the Trust and how prescribers of steroids can ensure they care implementing best practice in their areas on 9 July at the Grand Round.

This session will be relevant to all medical and non-medical prescribers and pharmacy staff. The Grand Round will be recorded for those unable to attend on the day.

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

UHD selected to host Health Foundation innovation hub

Our Dorset (Dorset's Integrated Care System) has been selected by the independent Health Foundation charity to be part of its new Adopting Innovation programme. Our Dorset and its partners successfully secured the top award, with the innovation hub being hosted by University Hospitals Dorset.

The programme will help healthcare providers enable faster and more effective uptake of innovations and improvements, which will create long lasting impact for patients and their care.

The program is supporting four innovation hubs with funding of up to £475,000 each for two and a half years.

Read more here.

Breakaway training spaces available

Breakaway training helps to:

• teach skills to respond to violence and aggression
• reduce incidents of violence and aggression
• bolster staff confidence with enhanced training to deal with potential episodes of violence
• deliver improved patient care through calmer environments.
• generate awareness and support a culture change among NHS staff and patients, focusing on mutual trust and respect

Training in the RBH conference room:
Monday 28 June 12.30-4pm
Thursday 26 August 1-4.30pm

Training in RBH seminar rooms 1 and 2:
Tuesday 7 September 8.30-12
Monday 11 October 1–4
Thursday 11 November 08.30 – 12
Monday 20 December 9-12.30

Use the ESR self-service or call ext 4531 to book.

POOLE: Card machine now working in shop at north entrance

Card payments can now be accepted again in the shop at the north entrance at the hospital.

Final reminder: complete your health and safety assessment by Wednesday

The Health and Safety Audit Tool (HASAT) self-assessment deadline for completion is next Wednesday (30 June). This is a mandatory return and managers can access the form and further information on the health and safety pages of the intranet.

NHS Counter Fraud Authority (CFA) reminder - Covid-19 vaccination passport scam

There have been attempts to lure colleagues and members of the public into registering for a Covid-19 vaccination passport. The NHS will never ask you to register for a vaccination passport and will not request any payment for you from vaccinations.

Click here for more information.

Job of the week – RBH stroke unit staff nurse

There is an opportunity for highly motivated and compassionate nurses to join our friendly multidisciplinary team on the Stroke Unit.

We are committed to providing excellent standards of nursing care by supporting you with development opportunities including:

• Clinical training including preceptorship, clinical supervision, phlebotomy skills, IV drugs, male catheterisation, ECG's, mentorship
• a bespoke stroke induction programme
• off-site annual stroke development day
• support with revalidation and attending our weekly Wednesday teaching programme
• to be part of our quality improvement initiatives.

Click here for more information, the closing date is 8 July.

Cycle to Work scheme improved

We are doubling the threshold of the popular Cycle to Work scheme from £2,500 to £5,000 from 1 July.

The scheme has already been helping provide access to some fabulous new bikes for staff and has been increased to recognise the demand for specialist bikes including cargo bikes, e-bikes, bikes for the disabled, equipment, and clothing.

Check the intranet for for more information on the scheme and click here to get involved with Bicycle User Group (BUG) that flagged this opportunity to UHD.

Places available for mental health first aid training (MHFA)

Places are available for both the two-day MHFA course, which leads to qualification as a Mental Health First Aider and for the one-day programme, which trains you as an MHFA Champion.

The courses will run on various dates from July to December please check the Mental Health first aid pages under M on the A-Z for training dates and application form.

For more information contact ext 2820 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Your Wellbeing Weekly

Don't forget to check the weekly wellbeing offers page (under W on the A-Z of the intranet) to stay up to date with all our offers for next week including a menopause in the workplace support meeting, Care First sessions and happiness at work online discussion.