Your voice is more important than ever, get ready to complete your NHS Staff Survey

We know everyone is under huge pressure in the workplace. Life has changed a lot over the past year and thinking back to 2019 or even the beginning of 2020 seems like a long old time ago, but your voice is even more important right now.

This staff survey has been tailored by Quality Health (external company) for NHS staff across the country to say what their working life has been like for this past year, how much of a work/life balance they have and how they would rate their wellbeing.

We as a trust are really keen to hear your answers, your opinions, your voice. There's no denying this past year or so has been one like no other before; we want to hear your experience, your story.

For the first time, as a merged trust, we want to hear from staff for us to build a future, a future that we all care about and together we can make possible...

Winter is coming – are you ready?

Our winter wellness vaccination clinics move to Royal Bournemouth this weekend, with around 1,000 staff taking advantage of the enhanced protection that the Covid-19 booster and annual flu vaccination offer at our first clinic in Poole last week.

Please note that the west entrance at Royal Bournemouth is closed this weekend – use the outpatients entrance instead.

It's not too late to book your Covid-19 booster and flu vaccination jabs using the online booking system before clinics end on 5 December. Please remember to use your Chrome browser to do this.

If you experience any problems with the booking process, or need to change your appointment, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The vaccines offer an enhanced level of protection above and beyond that derived from having the two Covid-19 vaccines earlier this year, or by having contracted Covid-19.

The clinics are alternating each weekend between Poole and Royal Bournemouth.

For more information check out this FAQ.

Poole: Some delays to pharmacy services today

The pharmacy team at Poole is extremely stretched today (8 October) across all specialties and areas, and there will be some delays to clinical screening and discharge medications. Information for same day discharges must be received by 4pm.

Congratulations to our dermatology team

Our dermatology team has been highly commended in the British Medical Journal awards and were awarded second place in the Dermatology Team of the Year award.

The team was recognised for setting up a bespoke image transfer service from scratch in three weeks, enabling patients to upload photographs to their electronic medical records. The images are then triaged by a consultant in virtual clinics. The redesign meant that 100 per cent of two week wait referrals were seen within that target, with 66 per cent managed remotely.

Dr Anjnee Shah, dermatology registrar at Poole Hospital, said: "We are so grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication the whole dermatology team have put in over the past 18 months to maintain the service, meet increasing demand and support local dermatology services. All that with a pandemic and a merger thrown in the mix is something to be truly proud of."

RBH: West entrance closure this Saturday

The west entrance will be closed this Saturday to staff, patients, and visitors. Please use the outpatients entrance for access to the hospital.

If you are due to deliver or receive the Covid-19 booster vaccine at RBH this Saturday (9 October), you will also need to use the outpatients entrance.

Can you support our phlebotomy teams?

Our phlebotomy teams are urgently looking for staff competent in venepuncture to assist them with clinics at both Bournemouth and Poole.

If you can help, contact Claudette Brady, UHD phlebotomy service manager, on ext 4879 or 2851.

Evaluation of clinical audit department

The clinical audit team is currently evaluating their service.

If you have recently undertaken a clinical audit or service evaluation supported by the clinical audit department, please take a moment to complete the evaluation form here.

All feedback is gratefully received.

If you wish to undertake a clinical audit or service evaluation, projects can be registered with us via our intranet pages.

RBCH: No hospital palliative care team cover this weekend

Due to unforeseen circumstances there will be no hospital palliative care cover this weekend (9 and 10 October).

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 27 September.

Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Who do you talk to about your mental health and wellbeing?

This Sunday is World Mental Health Day, and we know that the pandemic has had a huge impact on the mental health of staff in the NHS.

Across UHD there are over 100 Mental Health First Aiders who are committed to supporting your mental health and wellbeing, and providing help when you need it. These trained colleagues are available to be non-judgmental listeners and can help you access a range of support.

Check the intranet (under M for 'Mental Health First Aid' on the A-Z) to find out more about contacting a first aider, or if you would like to be one yourself.

We are now offering access to 'We Can Talk' training, which enables you to support younger patients, up to 25, who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. For more information click here.

There is information on support available across UHD on our intranet or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Celebrating Black History Month

October is Black History Month in the UK. The NHS is the largest employer of people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in the country.

Across the NHS there are events running that aim to celebrate, empower, and give platform to our black colleagues. There are a huge range of events and seminars available, click here to find out more.

Keep an eye on our UHD social media for stories and opinions from across UHD, and if you would like to get in touch and share your experiences, thoughts, and opinions around Black History Month email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Poole: Catching out the bike thieves

Police community support officers from Poole's neighbourhood policing team will be offering us a free bike security marking service.

You can register your bike with the police-approved database Bike Register and apply a unique code to your bike frame. Should your bike be stolen, a report can be submitted and the unique code can help police return your bike to you.

If you'd like to have your bike security marked for free bring it to the car park outside the education centre next Wednesday (13 October) 3–5pm.

We are hopeful to obtain dates for a similar initiative at RBCH soon.

POOLE: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The chaplaincy team would like two staff members from our Poole site to read a short lesson at the first UHD Christmas carol service. The reading will be provided by the chaplaincy team.

The service takes place on 15 December at 7pm at the Priory in Christchurch and is open for all staff to attend.

If you would like to give a reading contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ext 2167.

RBH: Missing tables and chairs from the Shelley Restaurant

If you have borrowed any tables or chairs belonging to the Shelley Restaurant please return them.

These were stored during the pandemic to allow for social distancing in the restaurant but now we would like to start increasing our capacity and need the chairs and tables back.

RBH: Wellbeing space to be re-provided in marquee

The wellbeing space offered in the committee room is moving to a new home in the marquee adjacent to the restaurant. This allows the meeting room to revert to its original purpose, and is in response to declining use of the committee room wellbeing space.

A range of wellbeing spaces have been offered across UHD during the pandemic to support staff by offering a safe space away from the clinical environment.

Half price tickets for UHD staff from Lighthouse Poole

Lighthouse Poole has kindly offered us half-price tickets to two of next week's performances.

Simon Amstell 'Spirit Hole', Wednesday 13 October. Use the code SA50NHS when booking.

English Touring Opera 'Handel Amadigi', Friday 15 and Saturday 16 October. Use code ETO50OFF (excluding price band A) when booking.

Job of the week – temporary staffing assistant at RBH

This role is within human resources, working alongside a dynamic workforce deployment team.

You will need excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a busy vibrant team. You must be willing to work flexibly (including weekends & bank holidays) in response to the needs of the service and adapt to its changing aspects.

Click here for more information, the job closes on 20 October.

Your wellbeing weekly

Be sure to check the weekly wellbeing page on the intranet for all of your latest offers. This week you can book into our Care First sessions, find out all of our activities for Menopause Awareness Month, and get involved in exercise activities such as running, pilates and yoga.