Bournemouth and Poole

Both Bournemouth and Poole Hospitals have their own Postgraduate Education Centres with dedicated training rooms, lecture theatres, clinical skills rooms and Simulation Suites.

The Foundation teams (both FPDs and FPCs) are available to answer any questions or offer any advice regarding the Foundation Programme and are supported by the post graduate medical education teams.

Bournemouth Hospital

We provide high quality, fully furnished accommodation for Foundation Year doctors across two locations in Bournemouth, offering comfort, convenience and an easy transition into your role at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

On Site Accommodation
The main accommodation site is located on hospital grounds, directly behind the hospital and opposite the Education Centre.
This site consists primarily of:
• 5- and 6-bedroom shared flats, where kitchen and living facilities are shared with other residents
• A limited number of studio apartments
• A small selection of one-bedroom flats suitable for couples (availability is limited)
All on site properties are fully furnished and maintained to a high standard, providing a supportive environment for doctors living and working on the hospital campus.

Off Site Accommodation – Abbotsbury House
Additional accommodation is available at Abbotsbury House, located off site.
This property comprises:
• Six self-contained flats, each containing multiple en suite rooms
• Residents share only the kitchen and lounge facilities, with private bathrooms in every room
This option provides a balance of privacy and shared living, with all en suite rooms fully furnished and ready for new residents.

Poole Hospital

We offer a range of high quality, fully furnished accommodation options for incoming F1 doctors—designed to provide comfort, convenience and a great start to your year at Poole Hospital.

Accommodation Options
Our properties include:
• Two-, three-, and four bedroom family flats (limited availability)
• 213 single occupancy en suite bedsit rooms
All accommodation comes fully furnished, including a bed, linen and towels, with on site laundry facilities available for residents.

Location
All accommodation is situated close to Poole Hospital, with sites including:
• Longfleet Road
• Belle Vue, Mount Pleasant Road
• Parkstone House (located on the main hospital site)

What’s Included in a Typical En Suite Bedsit Room
• Private en suite bathroom
• Access to on site laundrette
• High speed WiFi
• Residents’ TV lounge
• Stunning views from many rooms
• All-inclusive charges covering utility bills, council tax, communal area cleaning and maintenance
• Supportive, friendly on site management team

University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) Knowledge and Library Services provide a highly visible, dynamic knowledge service for all; to improve and enhance health outcomes through the timely delivery of accessible, quality information.

We offer a variety of services including:

– Expert literature searching, information retrieval and enquiry services

– Access to resources (physical books, e-books, e-journals, databases)

– Knowledge mobilisation services and facilitation – including Journal Clubs, Randomised Coffee Trials and before/after action reviews.

For more information about our library services click here.

Bournemouth Hospital Library

The library at Bournemouth Hospital is in the Bournemouth Education Centre. The library training room and the ‘Glass Room’ can be booked for meetings, etc.

Poole Hospital Library

The library is in the Learning Resource Centre, which is opposite the Education Centre, to the left of Parkstone House Accommodation. The ‘Allen Room’ and ‘Tarrant Room’ which can be booked for meetings, etc.

There are number of IT facilities across the site for you to use. Each ward has PCs for completion of day-to-day work. The libraries on both sites have access to PC facilities as do both the Doctors Messes.

In January 2025, UHD signed a new contract with Saba Parking to deliver car park management services across its sites. Part of the new contract will see the trust phase out paper permits and move to digital e-permits and ANPR technology.

This is expected to take a number of months to implement and staff are advised not to make any changes until they are advised to do so via our normal communication channels. We will continue to update you as we progress with this exciting development.

As part of the transition, the paper permit application system has been suspended in preparation for a new e-permit system in the future. If you need to make a change to your permit or if you are new to the trust and would like information on parking, please see below the key information for staff:

New Permit Requests
Staff who would like to join the permit scheme and do not currently have a permit, must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the Parking Policy & SOP.
To submit an application for review, please complete the following two documents and send copies to uhdparking.permits@sabagroup.com:
 
Personalised Travel Plan – This is an online system and once completed a copy will be sent to you via email, which you then submit to the above email address
UHD Parking Application Form – This form will need to be submitted along with the Personalised Travel Plan to the above email address.
 
Copies of the Parking Policy & SOP, along with the link to the Personalised Travel Plan and the Application form will be sent to you before you start.

Alternative Travel Options
Have you considered an alternative to driving alone to work? UHD are committed to supporting its staff travel in the best way for them and the environment. We offer a range of incentives and discounts for both public and active travel.

Please contact our Travelteam@uhd.nhs.uk who can provide more information or take a look at our Sustainable Travel webpages. Should you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact us on uhdparking.permits@sabagroup.com

As Bournemouth and Poole Hospitals are currently merging, so are the separate messes. The combined mess will continue to be very active with a host of activities including outdoor activities in the summer.

Previous events have included Winter and Summer Balls, trips around Poole Harbour, and water sports sessions. The Mess Committee also arrange an induction week for the new F1s joining the trust.

Both sites will continue to have mess facilities until the merger is complete, with perks such as plasma screen TV’s, 300 sky channels, computing facilities, weekly food shops, comfortable sofas, and sleep pods.

Bournemouth and Poole city centres are easily accessible by car or bus, and both cities offer easy train links to the south coast, and towards London.

Staff Shuttle Bus
 
UHD offer a shuttle bus service between the Poole and Bournemouth sites, making it easier for staff to work from either location. The shuttle bus launched in  March 2025 between Poole and Bournemouth and will be completely free for staff.
 
How to use the service:
 
– Download the Ride Tandem App – Scan the QR code below to download the Rider App for iPhone or for Android phones search ‘Ride Tandem’ on the Play Store. Ensure you register your account using your UHD or NHS email. If you do not have an NHS email please contact uhd.Travelteam@nhs.net. The route code is PB25
– Staff can use the app to pre-book a seat. This will provide a ticket in your wallet that grants you priority boarding for your chosen journey. You will also need to show an NHS Staff ID card to the driver upon boarding.
– Staff who have not pre-booked their seat in advance, can still use the service providing there are seats available. You may be asked to scan a Hop-On ticket from your app and show your NHS staff ID card to the driver.
The bus will collect and drop off from outside the front of Royal Bournemouth Bus Hub. It will use the same bus stop for both the inbound and outbound journeys. The Poole Hospital pick-up location will be from the stop near Adams Practice, Longfleet Road and drop off will be outside Poole Hospital main entrance.
 
Those using the Cranbrook Road and Branksome station bus stops will need to stand on the side of the road appropriate for their direction of travel.
 

– Premier League Football Team situated between both Bournemouth and Poole Hospitals.

– Several leisure centres and gyms within proximity of all Trust sites.

– Numerous leisure activities including golf, sailing, kite surfing and horse riding.

– Numerous sites for enjoying the theatre, music and exhibitions, including the Bournemouth International Centre, the Lighthouse Centre in Poole and the Christchurch Regent Centre.

F1 Induction and Shadowing Programme
 
All new Foundation Year 1 doctors will begin their induction and shadowing programme on Monday, 27 July 2026. This comprehensive introduction is designed to support a smooth transition into clinical practice and will include:
 
Essential training sessions, including Acute Illness Management (AIM)
Departmental shadowing to help you become familiar with your clinical area
Mandatory UHD Trust training to ensure you meet all organisational and safety requirements
 
The programme provides the knowledge, confidence and practical grounding needed to start your F1 year successfully.

Foundation doctors can take up to a maximum of 5 taster days across F1 and F2 and this will be deducted from the F2 study leave entitlement. The vast majority of taster days are taken locally but placements in other Wessex Trusts can be considered if the relevant clinical speciality is not represented in the doctor’s own Trust.

Before applying for taster days, we advise for you to have a discussion with your educational supervisor to see if it is deemed appropriate. Then you will need to contact the relevant Foundation Programme Director(s) to gain confirmation that they are happy for you to attend.

Bournemouth and Poole have their own dedicated Simulation Suites (1 on each site) based in both Education Centres, which are staffed by our Simulation Team made up of our Simulation Lead and Technicians. The Simulation facilities are used by a wide range of departments from Maternity to ED. You will also get the opportunity to use the Simulation facilities as part of your training.

During F1 we facilitate AKI/SEPIS and STEPS training, where in small groups you will be taught using the Simulation equipment on these subjects. During F2 you will use the simulation equipment to have further STEPS training and Simulation forms part of one of the subjects of the F2 Professional Skills in Medicine Study Days.

Junior Doctors’ Forum
Wessex Foundation School encourages all foundation doctors to take an active role in local and national forums. Participation provides valuable opportunities to share feedback, shape working conditions, and contribute to ongoing improvements within the Trust. The Trust also supports attendance at relevant UKFPO national forums, wherever operationally possible.

Historically, Bournemouth and Poole each held their own Junior Doctors Forums, supported by the Guardian of Safe Working on their respective sites. However, in 2023, these were brought together to create a single Joint Doctors’ Forum, with dedicated Chairs representing both locations.

We strongly encourage all junior doctors to attend. The forum is your space to raise issues that matter to you, influence positive change, and stay informed about developments affecting trainees. We also welcome junior doctors to take on leadership or organisational roles within the forum—an excellent opportunity to develop skills that will support your future career.

An educational supervisor is allocated to each foundation doctor for the full two years of their Foundation training to maintain an overview of development and progress of the doctor within the training programme.

A clinical supervisor will be allocated to the trainee for each of their rotations, usually this will be a Consultant within that Speciality.

During your F1 year, you will take part in a structured teaching programme designed to support your learning and meet the requirements of the Foundation Programme Curriculum. F1 Teaching will take place in the Education Centre, Bournemouth, with THE option to attend the teaching online via Microsoft Teams. Please note, that all F1 Teaching sessions are also recorded, for those who are unable to attend in person or online, can view them at a later date and time that suits you.
 
These sessions are protected teaching time. Unless you are carrying a crash bleep or are on‑call, you will be asked to leave your bleep with the Education Centre reception team for the duration of the teaching.
In addition to the weekly programme, F1 doctors will also complete several mandatory courses during the year, including:
 
– Advanced Life Support (ALS) – provided free of charge
– Simulation Training (STEPS)
– AKI/Sepsis training
 
Please note: Some Simulation Training sessions will take place across both the Bournemouth and Poole sites. The UHD Foundation Team will confirm the location when your dates and teaching details are issued. Please ensure you check this information carefully when you receive it.
 
F2 Teaching Programme
The F2 teaching schedule consists of five full teaching days throughout the year. These sessions cover key professional skills and curriculum-based topics and form part of the Dorset-wide programme, giving you the chance to meet and learn alongside fellow F2 doctors from Dorset County Hospital.
 
Additional Educational Opportunities
Across the Trust, a wide range of further teaching and development opportunities are available, including:
– Department-led teaching
– MDT meetings
– X‑ray review meetings
– Grand Rounds
Other educational events, workshops and development sessions will also run throughout your two‑year programme, and the Foundation Team will keep you updated with all relevant opportunities.

During your 2 year Foundation Programme you will complete 6 different 4 month rotations in a variety of specialties aimed at giving you the opportunities to achieve the requirements of the Foundation Curriculum. These rotations have been balanced to give a rounded experience and we are very lucky to have Foundation opportunities within the majority of specialties at UHD.

Alongside educational opportunities we offer mentoring and support to ensure you can maintain your own wellbeing throughout your time with us.

Our aim at University Hospitals Dorset is for you to have an enjoyable experience and to maximise your learning opportunities and experience to prepare you well for your future careers.

Our trust is comprised of three hospitals; the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Poole Hospital and Christchurch Hospital, which merged on 1 October 2020, creating a new organisation. This will provide huge opportunities and benefits to the way we deliver patient care in the future and will lead to better outcomes, improved quality and more efficient service delivery.

As well as delivering excellent general hospital services, our trust is home to a range of specialist services and facilities including:

– Our flagship Dorset Cancer Centre, offering medical and clinical oncology services for the whole of Dorset, serving a total population of over 750,000

– A major trauma unit for east Dorset, serving a population of more than 500,000 people.

– A state-of-the-art Cardiology Unit (the Dorset Heart Centre)

– Our award-winning orthopaedic service providing hip and knee replacements (the Derwent Unit)

Within UHD we pride ourselves on the delivery of safe and high quality care. Every single person working within this organisation makes a difference to the quality of care provided.

Our values underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients and visitors, but also how we treat each other – our valued team mates and colleagues.

Our values will be embedded into every part of our organisation such as recruitment, appraisal and development.

They will help us create a welcoming, inclusive and innovative work environment for all at UHD so that we can deliver the best outcomes for people who need our care on the South Coast.

– We are caring

– We are one team

– We are listening to understand

– We are open and honest

– We are always improving

– We are inclusive

Whilst your Education and Training is important to us, your health and wellbeing is equally as important as well.

The Trust has a ‘Thrive Wellbeing’ service that offers a wide range of pastoral services and support to clinical and non-clinical staff. This includes mental, physical and financial health support.

We also have health and wellbeing check ins, which are coaching one to one discussions focused on empowering individuals whilst also building individual and team resilience through embedded conversations across the system.

Both Bournemouth and Poole sites have chapel and prayer space which are open 24hours a day to patients, visitors and staff who are members of all faiths or none for quiet prayer and reflection.

We also have a number of staff networks. The purpose of these employee-led groups is to provide support and guidance to other employees and also provide insight and guidance to the organisation to assist in improving culture and experience. These networks are supported by the Senior Leadership Team and have explicitly given permission for employees to take reasonable time off to attend. These networks include:

– The Diverse Ethnicity Network

– The UHD Pride Network

– The Women’s Network