University Hospitals Dorset thanks military personnel for support

In recent months 46 members of service personnel have helped University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) to treat patients across its sites.

The service personnel's time at the hospitals across the conurbation comes to an end this week.

Events were held at both Royal Bournemouth and Poole hospitals last week to recognise all that had been achieved by the teams from the Army, Navy, RAF and Royal Marines.

Since starting their work alongside healthcare professionals, the military personnel have undertaken a wide range of activities at the hospitals to support staff during the challenging period.

Picture: University Hospitals Dorset

Debbie Fleming, UHD chief executive, said: "We have been delighted to welcome our service personnel colleagues to UHD and really appreciate all the support the teams provided across both our sites at a time of unprecedented challenge.

"We thank them all for working to such a high standard alongside our teams, so that we could collectively maintain essential services and deliver safe, high quality care.

"It has been a pleasure to have them within our organisation."

Picture: University Hospitals Dorset

Picture: University Hospitals Dorset

Fiona Hoskins, deputy chief nursing officer, said the service personnel being deployed was a huge morale boost for the hospitals' teams.

"It has been a marvellous piece of collaborative working; especially with regards to how quickly they all fitted in and became part of our team," said Ms Hoskins.

Picture: University Hospitals Dorset

"I have been truly humbled by the care and compassion shown to both our patients and staff by our military colleagues."