Take five minutes to protect yourself all winter

While our Covid-19 vaccination booster programme has now ended (see below), annual flu vaccinations remain available.

Our hospitals are seeing a number of cases of flu, which is circulating in the community together with Covid-19. The best way to protect yourself from contracting flu this winter is by having your jab at one of our drop-in clinics taking place on all three sites at a range of times.

The jab takes just five minutes but can protect you all winter.

Check the intranet latest news for a full list of drop-in clinics.

Covid booster vaccinations

Thank you to the thousands of staff who took advantage of our Covid-19 booster vaccination roll out during October and November. The programme has now come to an end, but booster vaccinations are still available through the NHS website – full details and booking information can be found here.

Together we can make a difference – NHS Staff Survey

It's important that we all take the time to complete our national NHS Staff Survey. Our views will help us shape the future of UHD as one team.

By giving just 15 minutes of your time you can help make the NHS the workplace we all want it to be.

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Join us for Ask Aly

Join us at 1pm tomorrow (10 November) for the latest Ask Aly event, hosted by our chief medical officer, Dr Alyson O'Donnell. It's a great opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns or share your views.

You can join the meeting here and if you'd like to send any questions in advance, pop them through to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can ask on your behalf.

A time to remember

This Thursday (11 November), remembrance events will take place at the flag pole 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: Our new modular theatre is being delivered this weekend

We are expecting some disruption on site this weekend (12-14 November) as a crane is installed and multiple lorries arrive on site to deliver our new modular theatre unit. The lorries will be arriving at staggered times to minimise the congestion.

Some car parking spaces in car parks S3 and S4 will be closed from 5pm on the 10 November to prepare for the work and allow for space for the delivery over the weekend. These closures will be monitored by the travel team and the spaces will be re-opened when the area is clear.

Patients should have already been informed and provided with alternative parking and entrances if their appointment is severely affected, however if you are concerned please speak to your department lead about this.

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

Where have my blood test results gone?

As of today (9 November) the clinical laboratory may remove some blood results if they are affected by haemolysis, icterus, lipaemia. When this happens, the laboratory will not report these results and request a repeat test to be undertaken.

It is common laboratory practice to remove some test results if these factors are present above established thresholds as these can affect results. When the results are removed, a comment will be reported informing you that this has happened.

The three common reasons that a result may become invalid are:

Haemolysis – this is as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells, which releases the corpuscular constituents. For example, potassium, folate and the enzyme AST are plentiful within the red blood cells and hence if they are released into circulation they will result in a falsely raised level. This can have unintended clinical consequences if acted upon. The red colouration of haemoglobin can also interfere in the chemical reactions used to measure some of the requested tests.

Icterus – this is a result of raised bilirubin resulting in clinical jaundice if the levels are high enough and cause the serum to appear 'greenish'. The raised bilirubin and the resultant colour change affects the chemical reactions used to measure a number of tests such as creatinine. As jaundice is a common occurrence in neonates, this particular group is likely to be most affected. We will be engaging with the Paediatric Team separately to discuss the best way of handling this situation.

Lipaemia – raised lipids in circulation can result in the sample appearing 'milky' or turbid. This change affects the measurement of some requested tests such as amylase.

If you have any concerns, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ext 2151.

POOLE: Electrical service testing starts next week

From 16 November engineers from SSE will commence a five-yearly inspection and test of the electrical services throughout the hospital.

The work will be carried out on a floor by floor basis with specific dates issued to department heads prior to the testing. The testing will involve a short power outage of local circuits.

Engineers from SSE will liaise directly with department heads to minimise disruption and have allowed for 'out of hours' working as needed. Please ensure that all electrical accessories are accessible for the inspection before your department is tested.

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

Allied health professionals (AHP) workforce support staff - help us to help you!

Sam Jacobs and Karolina Cryer would like to introduce themselves as your AHP support workforce leads for the next six months.

They will be reviewing career progression, development, and training opportunities for the AHP support workforce to help you achieve your full potential within the NHS.

Sam and Karolina will be using the new HEE Allied Health Professions' Support Worker Competency, Education, and Career Development Framework and in preparation for their review they will be sending a questionnaire in the coming weeks and would appreciate all your feedback.

If you have any questions contact 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..

Finance system downtime for upgrade

A finance system upgrade is scheduled for mid-November.

Our service provider ELFS will need to take the system down from 3pm on 16 November until the 18 November. All efinancials and PIM users will be unable to access the system during the downtime.

ELFS will send out the new URL log in details to all users to access the upgraded efinancials system on 18 November.

Information regarding any significant changes to the appearance and functionality of the system will be sent out before the upgrade.

Free staff bike maintenance next week

Bike Fixed will be returning next Tuesday (16 November) to RBH, next Wednesday (17 November) to Poole and next Thursday (18 November) to XCH.

If you suspect your bike may need replacement parts, mechanic Dave may be able to supply these, but they will incur a charge. If he spots something which may need 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 serviced, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Join our 'coaching conversations' workshops

These workshops are designed for managers and those involved with helping other colleagues to develop.

Attendees will be provided with skills and knowledge on how to effectively use a coaching style when working with individuals and the sessions will be an opportunity to develop your own coaching style and build confidence through practice.

Check the education and training pages on the Poole intranet for more information and to book a place. If you have any questions please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Spaces available at 'leading teams through change' workshops

Are you leading a team through change? Join one of our leadership development workshops to gain knowledge on leading through times of uncertainty and network with other leaders across UHD.

Workshops can be booked on the intranet, see the RBCH leadership development pages.

Do you know how to have difficult conversations?

If you have line management responsibilities, why not come along to a leadership development session aimed at helping develop techniques for managing difficult conversations.

The virtual programme also aims to support attendees to tackle poor behaviour and support individual performance.

Sessions will take place from 9am-1pm on 25 November, 17 February and 15 March.

Sessions can be booked on the intranet, see the RBCH leadership development pages.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries.

RBH: Reserve Forces recruiting tomorrow

Tomorrow (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.

Your wellbeing weekly

Don't forget to check in with your wellbeing this week and get involved with some of our fantastic offers. There are sessions to help you sleep, exercise classes, posture courses and much more...