To read the latest IPC newsletter which discusses Norovirus and features news updates please click the button below.

5 simple steps

Complete the 5 steps of HSE's Working Minds campaign to help to prevent stress and support good mental health of your workers:

1. reach out and have conversations
2. recognise the signs and causes of stress
3. respond to any risks identified by agreeing action points
4. reflect on the actions taken – have things improved?
5. make it routine to check back in on how things are going

Take your business to the next level

Preventing work-related stress, depression and anxiety is a legal duty, it’s good for business and it’s the right thing to do.

By being proactive, you can improve productivity, reduce sickness absence and help retain valued workers.

Register for full online learning for step-by-step advice, tools and templates.

Work-related stress and the law

No matter whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, the law requires all employers to prevent work-related stress to support good mental health in the workplace.

The need for employers to protect workers from work-related stress, depression and anxiety falls under the provision in sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Find out more about work-related stress and the law. 

(Shared by Skills for Care on behalf of the University of Salford)

The University of Salford in partnership with NIHR, NIHR ARC Wessex, and NHS England are undertaking a priority setting exercise to identify, prioritize and articulate key areas for research and innovation in adult social care nursing. We are inviting participation from front line nurses, people who use adult social care nursing services, researchers, academics and policy makers to support these discussions. The priority setting process will support rapid identification of key areas of interest or evidence gaps and find out what research needs to happen to make adult social care nursing even better.

Our first event is on 28th April 10:30-12:00 and during this session we will ask for your opinions and views about the most pressing topics, what you see as gaps in evidence for adult social care nursing and the questions that might be most important to answer in your experience.  A follow up event will be advertised separately for the 4th August 14:00-15:30 to share what we have found with you. Please see below to book your place.

The University of Plymouth are now advertising for a PhD candidate to work alongside the REFRESH Trial. This is aimed at a dietitian already working in care homes but is also open to nurses with an interest in nutrition in care homes. We have funding to backfill (up to) a band 7 salary. 

Branksome Heights Care home in Branksome Wood Road is celebrating after winning Kingsley Healthcare’s national Easter cake competition.

A total of 30 Kingsley healthcare homes around the country entered the competition which was judged by the company’s operations directors Debbie McGovern and Sumi Thayan.

Paige Parker, activities co-ordinator at Branksome Heights, baked the winning cake.

Paige runs a popular baking club at the home and has a large contingent of residents taking part.

She said: “I have been a hobby baker for around 10 years learning through YouTube. My vision for this cake was to recreate last year’s entry but to make it look more like a carrot this time! I like the idea of cakes looking realistic.

“I have been working at Branksome Heights for eight years this June and have thoroughly enjoyed establishing a weekly baking club here that has great success and high engagement.”

She added she would be putting her prize money towards trips for the residents and ‘enjoying some delicious cakes from our local bakers’. 

If you have a good news story you would like to share please email us with details at picare@bpc.ac.uk

Could you inspire the next generation? Or do you know someone who could help?

Work Explore is a brand new, direct investment in the future of Dorset’s economy which aims to introduce younger people to different types of employment, before the time comes to choose subjects, or apply for work experience placements.

 

Dorset Chamber are asking for Dorset businesses  - like you - to come forward and be part of this unique initiative to bridge the gap between education and employment. From taster days, site tours, or virtual visits - could you open your doors for a couple of hours and help shape their future? 

Here’s why they think all businesses should support it:

• It’s adaptable and flexible to suit the needs of your business – and there are lots of ways to collaborate
• Our experienced project team are on hand to offer full support to minimise disruption
• This is an opportunity to support those without networks for connections, due to location or circumstance

 

To get involved or find out more visit: https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/work-explore/ or contact workex@dorsetchamber.co.uk

 

This project is delivered by Dorset Chamber and is funded by Dorset Careers Hub and The Careers & Enterprise Company in partnership with Dorset Council.

This interactive workshop aims to provide core knowledge for Registered Nurses working within a community role or Nursing Home setting. It aims to explore the issues and challenges relating to the practical application of person-centred palliative care towards the end of life.

Contents include:

• What is meant by advance care planning (ACP)
  
• Aims and principles of ACP – including documentation and legal aspects
  
• Roles and responsibilities  
  

Learning Outcome 

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Be able to describe what is meant by advance care planning
  
• Be able to examine your own role and responsibilities around advance care planning
  
• Have increased confidence to facilitate conversations around ACP with patients and families.  
  

Venue & Booking Information: 

Only a few spaces left.

Taking place on Friday, 26 September 2025

Course hosted by Forest Holme will be held in the Coldwell Room, Forest Holme, Poole and is charged at £70 per person including refreshments.

Registration: 8.45am

To book, please complete the booking form by clicking on the blue box below and send to MMU.education@uhd.nhs.uk.