Internal capacity incident continues across UHD

Significant operational pressures continue, with high numbers of extremely unwell patients in our hospitals, and we remain in internal incident mode for a third day. Our position isn't unique, and much of the NHS is feeling the extreme pressure at the moment.

The response by staff has been incredible, and everyone's contribution is valued and does make a difference. Our bed occupancy levels have improved slightly, but we need to keep up this hard work as we know discharges are usually lower at weekends.

Over the last two days we've been outlining how staff can support us and our patients – read a summary of those actions in the latest news on the intranet.

Last chance to book Covid-19 booster vaccination

Sunday is the last day to have your Covid-19 booster vaccination, at clinics also offering the annual flu vaccination.

There are a number of spaces available – booking is simple, click here.

After this weekend, you will need to arrange your own booster vaccination via the on the NHS website.

Flu jabs will continue to be offered at drop-in clinics at each of our sites - check the latest news on the intranet for the schedule.

Have you completed your national NHS Staff Survey?

The national NHS Staff Survey is completely confidential and no-one in UHD will be able to personally identify responses as we receive these as numbers and data percentages.

The ID numbers and QR codes on our invitations and questionnaires are generated by the systems at Quality Health, our independent survey provider, to send out reminders and add your responses to your department/directorate.

If you would like to know more about completing the Staff Survey and its confidentiality, watch these helpful videos from Quality Health or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RBH: Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) roll out starts on Monday

Following thorough discussion with nursing, pharmacy and clinician representatives, EPMA will begin rolling out at RBH, starting with Ward 4, on Monday (8 November).

This decision has been made in the context of the pressures the organisation is currently under. On balance, clinical leads recognise that EPMA reduces clinical risk and has the benefit of remote prescription access for isolated patients, which is particularly relevant to COVID wards.

Be assured that the deployment plan will reflect the staffing and clinical pressures. Roll out can be slowed down if necessary, with full engagement from end users.

The go live plan will run Monday through to Friday and there is a standard deployment model that will be followed for each ward...

Monday:

• EPMA team transcribes paper charts, inputting data into the new electronic system

Tuesday:

• Ward will go live during the lunch time drug round and a member of the EPMA team will shadow staff, providing dedicated support

Wednesday – Friday:

• Floor walkers will continue to be present on the ward from 7am to 11pm to provide on-going support and assist with any questions or concerns

As a reminder, RBCH staff need to complete training to gain access to the system and this must be done prior to the go-live dates, find out your ward's go live date on the EPMA pages on the intranet.

If you have any questions call the EPMA team on exy 2984 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Update, lock, print – your guide to eDischarge

eDischarge provides seamless and timely handover between secondary and primary care, ensuring safe continuity of care for patients after their stay in hospital. This November we are re-focusing on timeliness and accuracy of locking eDischarges.

For patient safety eDischarges must be:

• updated during each and every patient's stay
• locked at the point that a patient is ready to leave
• printed and handed to the patient/their carer as they leave the ward.

Any exceptions must be locked within 24 hours of the patient leaving the hospital.

To support this, phase 1 of a new interactive report 'RS110 Unlocked IDS' is available on COSMOS here. This report can be interrogated for unlocked discharges at consultant, ward, care group and hospital levels.

Click here for eDischarge top tips.

It's Medicine Safety Week this week

Medicine safety is everyone's responsibility, and everyone can make a difference. Be sure to complete a LERN form when a medication safety incident has been identified so that we can learn together and improve practice.

Patients need to be given clear information about their medicines so that they can be involved in decision making on their treatments. They need to know about possible side effects and how to report side effects via the yellow card scheme.

Our medicines safety officer (MSO) and the pharmacy risk team promote the safe use of medicines across the Trust.

Improving medicines safety will prevent harm, improve patient experience and outcomes, and have a positive impact on all areas of the NHS.

To contact our MSO email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

(Disc) Space – the final frontier

As part of the roll out of Microsoft 365, there will soon be a new home for all our shared files and data.

All files currently stored on the S: drive (Poole) and L: drive (Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch), and any other shared file locations, will be moving to Microsoft Teams/SharePoint, part of the 365 set of applications.

In the coming weeks and months services and teams will be contacted about the move. Your files and data will be moved for you, but the team will be working with each department ahead of any changes to discuss the best approach.

SharePoint offers a much more flexible and intuitive way of sharing and collaborating than our current Windows systems. For example, access permissions can be managed within a team rather than by IT.

The amount of storage space available to teams and departments is likely to be significantly greater than that currently available too.

Our IT training team is also producing a microsite to give staff an overview of the new system. You can check it out here.

We'll bring you more updates as the roll out continues.

Coming to a PC near you next week – multifactor authentication (MFA)

Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds a further level to our IT security. It's the same process many of you will be familiar with through online shopping, for example.

It will ensure that our sensitive data is further protected from unauthorised access by making it much harder for cyber criminals to access.

If you use Microsoft 365 services (for example Teams or Sharepoint) you will be prompted during a log on to set it up, once IT has enabled MFA from 13 November. Simply follow the instructions.

During normal working hours the IT Service desk will be able to assist staff who have difficulties in setting this up.

'Ground-breaking day' for The BEACH Building

On Wednesday (3 November) we had the great pleasure of starting the construction of The BEACH Building on our RBH site.

It really was a ground-breaking day in more ways than one. Read more about the event here.

A time to remember

On 11 November, remembrance events will take place at the flagpole at Poole, and by the lake at RBH. You're welcome to join in person, but please observe social distancing.

Alternatively you can tune in online - the Poole service will be live streamed on our UHD Facebook page and the RBH event on Twitter. Please gather at 10.55am and download a brochure for the services here.

RBH: Disruption on site next weekend

Our new modular theatre is being delivered next weekend (12-14 November).

We are expecting some disruption on site as multiple lorries deliver the unit. Some car parking spaces in car parks S3 and S4 will be closed from 5pm on the 10 November. These closures will be monitored by the travel team and the spaces will be re-opened when the area is clear. The travel team will also be on hand to ensure spaces are clear at the time of closure, and to advise on alternative parking if necessary.

The new theatre will be aligned with the existing Derwent Theatres. The ground area between Jigsaw and Derwent has prepared to ensure the unit can be connected swiftly to minimise the impact on travel around the site.

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

Welcome to our new physician associate students

Our new students from Bournemouth University join us in various medicine specialties over the next ten weeks including gastroenterology, cardiology, respiratory, geriatric medicine and stroke medicine.

RBCH: No hospital palliative care team cover this weekend

Due to unforeseen circumstances there will be no hospital palliative care cover this weekend (6 and 7 November).

For urgent concerns, 24 hour advice is available from the Macmillan Unit. Please call ext. 5470 option 1 between the hours of 8am-5pm and option 3 between the hours of 5pm-8am.

For non-urgent queries, please leave a message on ext 6021 and a staff member will pick these up on Monday 8 November.

Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Patient Access Policy now available on the intranet

Our Patient Access Policy sets out our rules on managing elective access to new and follow up outpatient appointments, diagnostics, and elective inpatient or day case treatment.

It also demonstrates how elective access rules should be applied consistently, fairly and equitably.

Please read and familiarise yourself with this policy.

Withdrawal of Tubigrip

Tubigrip is used widely across the trust and contains natural rubber (latex). We are sourcing an alternative product, but until an alternative is found please remove from your stock, or risk asses prior to use.

Ensure any stock left in use is clearly labelled as containing latex.

Be Active with our new exercise classes

Be Active is a new initiative encouraging us to get up and get moving for our health and wellbeing. A number of exercise classes are now available across our sites, including Pilates at Poole, and yoga, circuits and Pilates at RBH.

Staff nurse Ella said: "I have been suffering with back pain for a long time, and these classes are absolutely perfect for me. They are straight after work so there's no time to go home and put off exercise. I feel really good and incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to join in with classes right here on the hospital site".

Full details and the most up-to-date information on classes can be found on the new Be Active section of the intranet.

RBH: ENT secretarial update

ENT now has a secretary on site at RBH, Carol Petty, who is based in ophthalmology secretaries office.

Carol can be contacted Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm ext: 5572 or post can be delivered to post point E25.

POOLE: Reserve Forces recruiting display next Wednesday

Next Wednesday (10 November) between 12 and 2pm the recruiting teams from 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital and 6 Rifles will also be holding a recruiting event in the atrium at RBH.

Pop down have a chat and see how being a member of the reserve forces may enhance your career prospects.

New date for our gender identity workshops

Register in advance for our gender identity workshop on 26 January 9.30-12.30.

The workshop will give LGBTQ+ and gender identity awareness training to attendees, enabling them to discuss and understand the complex issues around gender.

Click here to register.

£5 tickets for UHD staff from Lighthouse Poole

Lighthouse Poole has kindly offered us £5 tickets to Matthew Bourne's The Midnight Bell.

Tickets can be booked for tonight (5 November) and tomorrow (6 November) using the code NHSTHEATRE, we can book up to 4 tickets each, excluding price band A.

Your weekly wellbeing

Don't forget to check our weekly wellbeing pages for all of your latest offerings. Sign up for posture courses, and sessions on working with back pain and much more. It's also your last chance to get involves with woodland wellbeing team building sessions.