Covid-19 vaccination programme update

Our programme of planned first doses for staff will conclude on 12 February at the Royal Bournemouth. Staff can still book their appointment online until this time.

If you have been unable to book your first vaccination, for example because you have had Covid-19 in the past 28 days or you cannot have the Pfizer vaccination, you will be able to book an appointment at the BIC vaccination facility in Bournemouth. We are finalising plans to enable UHD staff to do this directly, and we will announce these arrangements as soon as possible.

Both Poole and the Royal Bournemouth hospitals will stand up again in a few weeks' time in readiness to deliver the second doses of the Pfizer vaccine to staff and other health and social care workers.

From a standing start, the Covid-19 vaccination project team has delivered at significant scale many thousands of vaccines in just a few weeks, developing new, safe and efficient systems in the process. The programme has called on staff in a wide range of roles with a wide range of expertise in order to bring you the vaccination safely and effectively. Thanks to all who have made a contribution to the programme, and to all staff for the patience and understanding they have shown.

Staff do not need to do anything at this stage regarding booking their second dose. We will communicate the process to reflect the latest national guidance as soon as we are able to.

Any staff member yet to have the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine through UHD should book online now until 12 February.

If you have had your Covid-19 vaccination elsewhere, it's important that you let our occupational health service know so we can build an accurate picture of how many staff are protected. Contact them via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RBH - dedicated green pathway for surgical patients

The surgical care group is establishing a dedicated green surgical pathway from 8 February provided from the existing eight-bedded Bournemouth private clinic.

It will support the provision of planned surgery for clinically urgent patients (mainly cancer cases) with dedicated staffing to reduce the risk of Covid-19. A similar pathway has already been established at Poole Hospital which has informed this development and means that these patients can be supported on both acute sites.

Additional external capacity is also in place to support urgent patients eg via the independent sector and the Wessex Cancer Hub.

Patients coming from travel ban countries

All patients should be asked asked about recent travel through or from the countries included in the Government travel ban.

Infection control and/or the duty microbiologist should be made aware of patients who have a confirmed Covid-19 test result and whose travel in the previous 10 days has involved one of the banned countries. Follow action card 1a for more details. Actions should not be delayed whilst awaiting results of whole genomic sequencing.

For further details see the Government website.

Reminder on PPE and clinical practice

Please ensure you follow good infection prevention and control practices at all times, and ensure your use of PPE is appropriate.

Donning and doffing PPE safely in the right order, to avoid self-contamination is essential. Please watch the video on donning and doffing for routine patient care and for aerosol-generating procedures. If you are unsure about the correct use of PPE, or what PPE to wear, please speak to your manager.

For the latest update on national Covid-19 IPC recommendations check the intranet latest news.

Risk assessments

Your Covid-19 risk assessment should be reviewed on a regular basis and updated where necessary. If you haven't reviewed a Covid-19 risk assessment since becoming pregnant, please complete this as soon as possible with your line manager.

The risk assessment can be found on the intranet Covid-19 pages and further information can be found in section 9 of the staff Covid-19 FAQs on the intranet.

Social distancing, hospital highway code and uniform reminder

Staff are reminded to adhere to social distancing measures and to follow the hospital highway code. There have been cases of the public seeing staff huddles together outdoors with no masks on, as well as staff walking down the wrong side of corridors.

Staff are also reminded that they should not be wearing their uniforms outside of work for infection control reasons.

Response to social media posts on our 'empty' hospital

A member of the public came into RBH on Sunday evening at 6.45pm and filmed around our hospital, ending in our emergency department where they were challenged and they then left. They posted the film across their social media to illustrate how empty our hospitals are, with a campaign group sharing the post saying our hospital was "quiet as a dormouse".

This is part of a sustained social media campaign across the country to attempt to prove that our hospitals are not treating large numbers of Covid patients.

We posted our response to this video across our social media channels and on our internet. You can read it here. If you have concerns about anyone you see across our hospitals, please call 2222.

Cold weather forecast

Very cold temperatures are forecast by the Met Office by the end of Sunday and into Monday morning - the coldest period of the winter so far.

Indications are that all parts of England are going into a notable cold spell of weather as we head into the coming week with sharp overnight frosts, and temperatures near freezing by day, together with cold winds no snow is currently forecast in the BCP area. The UHD Cold Weather Plan can be found on the intranet.

All-staff briefing with our chair and chief executive

The first all-staff briefing of the new year will be held on Wednesday 10 February, 12.30-1.30pm. David Moss, our chairman, and Debbie Fleming, our chief executive, as well as fellow executives will provide the latest on managing the Covid-19 pandemic, an operational update and development plans for the year ahead.

Please join us if you can, or a recording of the briefing will be available afterwards on our intranet. The Teams link is available here.

Director of improvement and integration appointed

I am pleased to announce Dr Alan Betts has been appointed to this role following a national recruitment process and a highly competitive field of candidates.

Alan worked on secondment to us as our merger director, and before that as part of the Clinical Services Review (CSR) team. As such Alan has huge knowledge of the Dorset system, as well as a broad skillset for continuous improvement work.

Medical director for strategy and transformation Dr Isabel Smith, said: "Alan's patient and public centred approach stood out, along with his track record of delivering large scale change."

UHD chief executive Debbie Fleming, said: "I am absolutely delighted with this outcome. Alan's experience at the Dorset CCG, Dorset County Hospital and working across disciplines like digital, public involvement, QI and across boundaries all stand us in good stead."

This new role includes leading the improvement work around Quality Improvement (QI), programme management, innovation and benefits realisation, including the merger implementation. It also includes partnership working and developing the university hospital status with Bournemouth University.

- Richard Renaut, chief strategy and transformation officer

EU citizens - protect your rights by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme

Staff from the EU make an enormous contribution to patients, colleagues and our communities alike.

As the deadline to apply for EU Settled Status approaches in June, we are encouraging staff to apply if they have yet to do so. And to help staff, we have a range of support available if needed.

The EU Settlement Scheme allows you and your family to get the immigration status needed in order to continue to live, work and study in the UK, as well as access public services like the NHS.

EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and their families need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to protect rights and to stay in the UK. You do not need to apply if you are a British or Irish citizen, or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

The deadline to apply is 30 June 2021 and while there is still plenty of time to submit your application we would like you to do this as soon as possible so you can be assured of your right to remain.

Prior to 1 July 2021 there is no requirement for you to inform us, as your employer, of the outcome of your application, but it will be helpful if you do, so we can update our records in preparation for the deadline.

Read a letter from Karen Allman, our chief people officer, which provides more information and outlines the support available, here.

Tributes paid to Jon

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our colleague Jon (Jonathan) Martin.

Jon worked within the IT desktop services in informatics, where he was a well-known, well-loved and highly respected friend and colleague. With almost 25 years of service with the Trust, Jon began his career working in medical records as a records clerk.

Always ready with technical IT advice, a friendly smile and a helpful attitude, no problem was ever too small for Jon to help with. His larger-than-life personality, fantastic sense of humour and always-approachable manner made him an unforgettable character.

He will be deeply missed by his close colleagues, friends and by all that knew him in the wider UHD Trust family.

There is a book of remembrance in the Chapel of St Luke at RBH in Jon's memory.

Poole - urgent roadworks planned from Monday

Emergency repair work to the gas network will mean a road closure near to Poole Hospital from Monday (8 February) for up to two weeks.

Traffic coming up Longfleet Road from the town centre will be diverted at the junction with the B3068 (Elizabeth Road) to Parkstone Road then the A35, before re-joining Longfleet Road at the Shah of Persia junction. There are no restrictions for vehicles travelling down Longfleet Road.

Click here for a map of the diversion and road closure.

RBCH – mandatory training for doctors

As per HEE requirements (CSTF) conflict resolution (level 1) should be assigned to all frontline NHS staff and professionals whose work brings them into direct contact with members of the public.

All doctors will now have this as a three-yearly requirement, so new red lines will appear on your BEAT VLE 'brain', if it is not there already. This will start filtering onto your personal profile within the next few weeks but won't affect compliance or appraisals until 31 March.

Training can be done via the BEAT VLE or via face-to-face training. If you have done the eLFH conflict e-learning and have a certificate please send this to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be added to your profile.

Team recognition fund update

The Team Recognition Fund, which gives staff the opportunity to make local decisions on how wellbeing charity funding is used, is now easier to access for all.

The fund is now directly allocated to cost centres to be managed by the cost centre budget manager. Managers should liaise with their team to make a collective decision on how the money will be spent and the purchase must benefit the whole team.

For further information about how to access these funds please refer to your relevant charity pages on the intranet. Please make sure your teams make use of this funding – the money is meant to help support you after the incredible individual and team resilience you have shown through the pandemic. Thank you for all you do.

POOLE – installation of new air pod station for the SAMBA suite

Installation of a new air pod (pneumatic) station for the SAMBA suite will be taking place on 8 and 9 February on the old management corridor, first floor, next to staff toilet and in area leading to committee room.

Whilst we try to keep disruption to a minimum, there will be barriers around the works and some noise during installation and the pod system will be down in Zone 4 for approximately two hours whilst a new diverter in installed.

RBH - staff lottery bid application now open

The Staff Lottery Fund annual bid is now open. Teams need to write a proposal as to what they would like to purchase, with actual or approximate costs; this year a 'bid form' is available for use so that submissions are received in the same format.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bids from Poole colleagues until next year when the lottery will have merged. We have been unable to do this until both sites are under the same payroll provider, which is from April 2021. Check the lottery pages on the intranet for the form.

The committee will meet at the beginning of April and review all of the bid requests and teams will be notified as to whether there bid has been successful.

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

RBH - biochemistry results delay

There is currently a delay in biochemistry results being released, however urgent samples are being effectively prioritised. So that laboratory staff can ensure all results are released in a timely manner, please do not phone the department enquiring after results, unless the results required would have an urgent impact on patient management.

POOLE – ID office opening hours

The ID office will be open from 10 am-1pm for the week commencing Monday 15 February until (and including) Thursday 18 February.

The office will not be open on Friday 19 February.

RBH – ward 12 access

Ward 12 can now be accessed via the ward 14/12 corridor, first floor, west wing. This is a return to the normal process on entering ward 12. Day Surgery Unit access remains unchanged.

Flu jabs still available

If you've had the Covid-19 vaccination first dose but are yet to have your flu jab, now is an ideal time to have it. With the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccination currently scheduled for 10-12 weeks after the first, there's plenty of time between jabs to protect yourself against flu - clinical advice is to leave seven days between each type of vaccination injection.

Find your nearest peer flu vaccinator – trained staff able to provide the jab to colleagues in their clinical area – on the intranet.

RBH - advanced notice of car park closures and relocation

In order to start important enabling work for the build of the MCEC and main entrance works, car park H (the consultants car park) is closing and car park A is closing and relocating to the rear of car park C. Staff with existing permits will have access to additional car parking at the Littledown Centre, details to be published shortly. The car parks will cease to be in operation from close of play on Wednesday 24 February.

The lockable staff bike shelter will also not be accessible. Additional bike shelters will be available once the building work is completed at the west entrance (Eye Unit and Jigsaw Building Entrance).

Bike road accident witnesses needed

We are looking for two doctors that kindly assisted a lady who was knocked off of her bike on Friday 22 January at around 5.30pm, by the roundabout at the back of Poole Hospital.

The officer dealing with this case, PC Adam Carr, is looking for witness statements to assist in the enquiry. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Our respects to Captain Sir Tom

We were very sorry to learn of the death of Captain Sir Tom Moore earlier this week. University Hospitals Dorset is grateful to him for everything he did for us - he was without a doubt the most inspirational fundraiser of our times.

How to have difficult conversations: sessions starting in March

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 and tackling poor behaviour and supporting individual performance.

Programmes will take place on:

• 10 March, 1-3pm
• 16 March, 10am-12pm
• 30 March, 9.30–11.30am
• 15 April, 9-11am

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

BEAT VLE Amazon voucher competition winners

All Poole staff who logged-in to the new BEAT VLE system during January were automatically entered into a prize draw to win one of two £50 Amazon vouchers.

The winners were Deborah Doherty, midwife and Evita Reyes, staff nurse in oncology. At Poole, 2,177 members of staff logged-into the new system during January and we've had some really positive feedback.

If you haven't logged-in yet, please do as soon as possible to complete any outstanding topics. There are a few new topics for Poole staff as part of the alignment work across UHD.

Click here to access the BEAT VLE. If you have any questions please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Care First webinars

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

• Friday 5 February, 12-12.30pm – Covid-19
• Monday 8 February, 12-12.30pm – Care First
• Tuesday 9 February, 12-12.30pm – Relationships
• Wednesday 10 February, 12-12.30pm – Self-esteem
• Thursday 11 February, 12-12.30pm – Long Covid
• Friday 12 February, 12-12.30pm – Domestic abuse

Free bike maintenance at RBH and Poole

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

• Wednesday 10 February: Poole Hospital
• Thursday 11 February: RBH

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 tuned up, please email Elliot Prescott, Travel and Transport Manager: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Get Fit For Forest Holme

Former Olympic and Commonwealth long-distance runner Liz Yelling is getting behind a new fitness fundraising initiative from Forest Holme Hospice Charity.

Get Fit For Forest Holme aims to improve people's physical and mental health, especially during lockdown, whilst raising money to enhance the care and support services provided by the local NHS hospice. The main emphasis is that participants can set their own challenge and fundraising target, according to ability and fitness levels, at a time that suits.

Liz, who won the bronze medal in the 2006 Commonwealth Games marathon and lives in Poole, is encouraging people to get involved, whether it is running, walking, skipping, hopping, skating, cycling, swimming or doing an online workout. Everyone who takes part will receive a very special Get Fit For Forest Holme medal.

Liz, said: "I am thrilled to be supporting this fantastic fundraising challenge for such a brilliant local charity. It is so important to boost both our physical and mental health, especially during such difficult times, so if we can all do a bit of exercise, no matter how big or small, and raise money to support our local NHS hospice then it's a win win."

Entry is free and to register visit www.forestholmehospice.org.uk/fitforforest You can also get in touch by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Roadworks

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