A year of challenge, a future of hope: International Nurses Day, 12 May

There's a week of activity planned next week as we support International Nurses Day on Wednesday (12 May).

The theme this year is 'a voice to lead - a vision for future healthcare'. We're inviting all nurses to both reflect on working through the pandemic, and to look ahead to a brighter future.

We hope there's something for everyone next week, with the following displays in the atrium at RBH, the dome at Poole, and at XCH, on these themes:

• Monday: nursing in medicine
• Tuesday: nursing in specialities
• Wednesday: international nurses in the NHS and UHD
• Thursday: nursing in surgery
• Friday: nurse education and research

On International Nurses Day itself, a virtual event takes place focusing on international nurses in leadership roles here at UHD and in the wider NHS, from 2-3pm. To join in, click here.

What has been your nursing journey over the past year? Complete this nursing 'reflection' and send in to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and - even better - have a photo taken with your reflection, and post it on Twitter or Instagram tagging @UHD_NHS on Twitter and Instagram and using the hashtags #NursesDay #IND21 #UHDNurses

We hope you can join in the celebrations!

Thank you to our inspirational midwives

International Day of the Midwife on Wednesday (5 May) offered a chance to reflect on all that has been achieved in providing safe and supportive maternity care over the past year.

Jillian Ireland, professional midwifery advocate based at St Mary's maternity hospital, (pictured right) passed on goody bags to midwives and midwifery students there, alongside Lorraine Tonge, care group director of midwifery, (centre), and Rebecca Savage, trainee consultant midwife, (left) as a thank you for their efforts.

Each bag followed a heart theme, to symbolise the care and compassion midwives have shown during the pandemic in supporting women and their families "in circumstances none of us would have chosen," said Jillian.

"We have had a pretty burning year and the hearts are a way of expressing our own heartfelt thanks for all the good care our midwives have been giving," she added.

Dying Matters Week – ask, listen and do what matters

To mark Dying Matters Week 2021 next week (10-16 May), our palliative care teams will be visiting wards and departments to find out how they can help you provide the best care possible for our dying patients.

They will also be promoting the Butterfly WINGS model of care, which encourages dignity, respect and compassion at the end of life.

The blue butterfly is a symbol we use at UHD which signifies a patient is near the end of their life or that someone has recently been bereaved. The aim of the butterfly is to inform those around the patient or relative that they are going through a very difficult time and so you may choose to alter the way that you approach them or what you talk to them about.

As well as visiting wards and departments at RBH, Poole Hospital, the Macmillan Unit and Forest Holme, the palliative care teams will also have information stands in the atrium at RBH and the Dolphin Restaurant at Poole. Please share your thoughts on what you need to be able to provide the best care possible for our dying patients.

Mental Health Awareness Week 10-16 May

We're sharing lots of resources and links like this blog post on 'Connecting with nature', plus in the events list below you can see a session on Wednesday lunchtime about the benefits of sea swimming, an early mindfulness drop-in session on Thursday and a lovely session on Friday lunchtime led by Maria Clarke of the Dorset Local Nature Partnership.

Managing stress and building resilience for NHS and care sector staff

12 May, 12-1.15pm

How sea swimming is good for body and soul

12 May, 1-1.30pm

Mindfulness drop-in

13 May, 8.30-9am

'Mindfulness in Life and Work' pre-course taster session

13 May, 10-11.30am

Opening our eyes and ears to the power of nature

14 May, 12-12.30pm

RBH: Update on critical worker parking permits at Littledown

During the Covid-19 pandemic it was recognised that critical workers were key to delivering services and that some vacant BCP Council parking facilities could be made available to critical workers. With the phased lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions the council has informed us these are now needed for their regular users.

As a consequence, BCP Council's critical worker permits for the Littledown car park will become invalid after 14 May. This decision has been made by BHLive and any enquiries should be directed to BH Live.

As of 15 May, alternative parking arrangements will need to be sought. The nearest BCP Council controlled parking to Littledown is Kings Park (BH7 7AF) - for your critical worker permit to be valid in this location you must email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request this change.

A helping hand on awareness day

Our dental nursing team in orthodontics celebrated World Hand Hygiene Day on Wednesday by creating their own stall, testing the whole team and providing useful information to improve hand hygiene habits. Certificates were given out to certify that staff were compliant with our bare below the elbows policy and with the proper hand hygiene routine. Great effort!

Worried about family or friends in India?

Confidential emotional support is available for any UHD staff member.

Our emotional wellbeing support service can be contacted Monday-Friday, 9am-4.30pm via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Care first, our employee assistance programme provider, offers 24/7 information and support service on financial, legal, family, health and wellbeing and personal issues. Call: 0800 174319.

UHD BAME Staff Network support:

• RBCH: Minnie Klepacz: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07825 960290.
• Poole: Judith Dube and Monica Chigborogu: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07833 294592.

Special intercessory prayers for India will be said as part of the weekly mass (6pm, 19 May) and communion services (1pm, 20 May) each week, starting again at the chapel at RBH.

Samaritans support for NHS staff

7am-11pm, 7 days a week: 0800 069 6222 or text FRONTLINE to 85258

Further specialist external support is also available – email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

Windows 10 version 1909 update

To ensure our Windows PCs and laptops are kept up to date and supported, IT need to occasionally deploy an update larger than the usual monthly updates. Staff using Windows 10 devices on versions 1809 or 1903 will receive a larger update to bring their device up to version 1909. This will require 30-60 minutes to complete the installation when the PC is next shut down or restarted.

IT plan to release this update on Tuesday (11 May) so if this affects a device you work on, please plan the shutdown or reboot of your machine to take into consideration the longer than usual installation process.

Please ensure you do not power off the device while it is updating.

Windows 10 devices on version 1809 or 1903 need to be updated as version 1809 will no longer be supported by Microsoft from the 11th May and 1903 is already out of support.

To find out what version you are using please follow the below instructions:

1. Click in the magnifying glass in the toolbar
2. Type 'about' in the search box
3. Click on About your PC
4. The Windows 10 version is shown in the Windows specifications section
5. Only version 1809 and 1903 will be affected by this change. Devices on 1909 or later will not be affected. Devices on 1803 or earlier will be addressed separately by IT.

Old ID cards will no longer work from 6 June

The ID card roll out phase is now at an end. Any members of staff still holding an old style Poole or RBCH ID card should contact their line manager.

Line managers are requested to compile a list of those staff and contact ID card admin to arrange the return of old and issue new ID cards at the earliest opportunity.

From 6 June, all old style Poole and RBCH cards will be deactivated and removed from the access control systems and will no longer provide access.

For queries, contact:

• Poole: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ext. 8051
• RBCH This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ext. 6638

Spaces available on safeguarding children L3

Spaces are available for any UHD staff, regardless of site, for Safeguarding Children Level 3 training.

The session takes place in the education centre at Poole Hospital from 9am-5pm on 24 May, and places may be booked via self-service on ESR.

Clinical Trials Day – 20 May

Clinical Trials Day is a well-deserved 'time out' to recognise the people who conduct clinical trials and to say thanks for what they do every day to improve public health.

This day of celebration also provides our community with a unique opportunity to raise awareness of clinical trials – and of clinical research as a career option – among the greater public.

The research response to Covid-19 has been incredible and would not have been achievable without the fantastic staff in our research team, the clinical teams and supporting departments who make it all possible, and the overwhelming generosity of our patients who give up their time to take part.

Look out for more information on what we have planned in the next two weeks, including stalls in key areas where materials celebrating the work of our research staff will be displayed and further information will be available.

RBH: New marquee will have you covered

A new lakeside marquee is on its way in early June, to replace the one removed earlier this week. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Twilight Walk for Women's Health: 4-6 June

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity is holding the annual Twilight Walk for Women, which celebrates and supports the thousands of women's health patients who are treated at RBH and Poole every year. It will be a little different this year as we want you to choose to walk 1km, 5km or 10km between the Friday and the Sunday. Everyone can take part in this fun, family-friendly walk that is suitable for all ages.

Click here to sign up or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

UHD: please be considerate on-street parkers

As more staff return to work from our sites, please ensure that you are considerate to our neighbours if on-street parking. We have had a number of residents feedback that staff cars have blocked or hampered access to their properties.

Be more like Enya

Ever wanted to just sail away? A charity is offering discounts to UHD staff for sailing experiences running out of Southampton. See the staff offers page on the Poole intranet for more details of this offer, and others thay are open to staff. It is the responsibility of individual staff members to ensure offers are still valid and to check individual terms and conditions. The trust does not endorse or vet these offers.

Reminder – get on your bike for free check up

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

• 11 May: RBH
• 12 May: Poole Hospital
• 13 May: Christchurch Hospital

A limited number of appointments between 9am – 3pm are available on each date. If you'd like your bike to be serviced, please email Elliot Prescott, travel and transport manager: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Roadworks – stay up-to-date

Reminder: there's new way to find out about planned roadworks and closures in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. One.Network is a map-based resource that is regularly updated by BCP Council with activity affecting travel around the area, and can show events for the current day, the next few weeks or even a year ahead. Click here to visit it.

Staff support in the week ahead

We all have access to a range of wellbeing support, which can be found on the intranet. This includes access to these events, provided by our partners at Dorset Healthcare and LiveWell Dorset, with further information about each one in the links.

Virtual MOT from LiveWell Dorset (book a place)

10 May at 3-3.20pm

Managing stress and building resilience for council staff (book a place)

11 May at 3-4.15pm

Managing stress and building resilience for NHS and care sector staff (this session must be booked via the link)

12 May at 12-1.15pm