Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

14/04/2026

A trio will be tackling the Weymouth Half Ironman in aid of Dorset County Hospital Charity's Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. Pain Specialist Nurse Dan will be swimming, Physiotherapist Kate will be running and Advanced Nurse Practitioner Becky will be cycling the challenge this September.

The trio said: "Within our job roles we see first-hand the incredible work that goes into caring for patients during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. The teams in these departments work tirelessly to respond to emergencies, support recovery, and provide compassionate care when it is needed most. Through this fundraiser, we hope to help support vital equipment, resources and services so they can continue delivering the highest level of care to everyone who relies on them. Every contribution, big or small, will help make a real difference."

Find the Just Giving link in the comments below. 🏊🏃🚴

13/04/2026

If you are aged 50 to 74, the NHS will send you a free NHS Bowel Screening Kit. Catching bowel cancer early can mean it’s more treatable. So, don’t just leave it in the back of a drawer - send it back today.

It could be the most important post you receive.

13/04/2026

Dorset County Hospital have partnered with DrDoctor and the NHS App to enhance how we connect and communicate with patients.

The DrDoctor Patient Portal will allow you to receive appointment notifications and reminders and you will be able to request or reschedule your appointment or cancel your appointment if you no longer need to be seen.

Please check we have your correct mobile phone number by speaking to the reception team at your next appointment.

Look out for a text message from 07860 039092, or a notification in the NHS App. There will be instructions on how to log into the portal.

More information is available on our website. Find the link in the comments below.

10/04/2026

Keep yourself well during the break. 🐰

📲 NHS 111 - can help with health care needs that aren’t life-threatening
💊 Pharmacy - can help with minor conditions such as: aches and pains, sore throat, earache, cystitis, skin rashes
🥼 Primary care - can help if you have an illness that does not improve with self-treatment, are worried about your health, or have an ongoing health issue
🧠 Mental health - can help if you have a mental health concern or if you are struggling to cope
🦷 Dental care - can help if you are suffering from dental or facial pain
🏥 Urgent care - can help for minor injuries such as broken bones and sprains, insect and animal bites, burns and scalds, injuries, cuts and bruising
🚨 Emergency care - can help for chest pain, breathing difficulties, stroke, severe bleeding that cannot be stopped, trauma such as a road traffic collision.

10/04/2026

Our maternity team have really enjoyed working alongside Somerset NHS Foundation Trust midwives and support workers during their time at DCH while we have provided care for Somerset families.

We wish our colleagues all the very best as they return to Yeovil to reopen their services 💙

This is the Services preparing to welcome mothers, babies and families back to Yeovil District Hospital from midday on 21 April news article of the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust website. Visit our website to read the full news article.

09/04/2026

Thank you so much Woody! An incredible achievement! We are so grateful. 🥰

Thank you Thursday! 👏

Today we have a very special thank you for ‘Woody’ (Anne) Woodruff, who has raised £3,128 by completing an entire year of fundraising activities for the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. 🥰

Woody has worked at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for 30 years including as a health care support worker in the Emergency Department. She wanted to give something back and complete a personal challenge to celebrate her 60th Birthday. She said, “Over the years I have witnessed first hand the pressure colleagues have faced. I can see how the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit with new facilities will greatly improve staff welfare and transform the experience of Emergency and Critical Care for staff, patients and their families.”

Woody started off her year of fundraising with running a marathon, she then hosted an Easter bingo event, completed the Hardy Half Marathon, the 5K Muddy Run and ran the 10K Combe Keynes in Wareham, to name a few of her challenges.

Thank you, Woody – your commitment and support will help make a huge difference, for generations to come. 💙
Find out more about the Appeal and how you can get involved in the comments below 👇

08/04/2026

Wishing Kiera the best of luck in the London Landmarks Half Marathon this weekend!

Kiera, who works as a Paramedic and with our Emergency Department and Stroke Unit, is raising money in aid of TASC The Ambulance Staff Charity. TASC is dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of paramedics across the UK.

Kiera said: "Knowing the support of TASC is right there, should you ever need it, is a reassurance and has changed many staff members lives."

Read Kiera's story and find out more via the links in the comments below.

07/04/2026

Are you a Registered Nurse wanting to make a real difference at one of the most critical and challenging moments in a person’s life? Join us for our Stroke Unit Open Day on 15 April to find out more about our expanding service, with same-day interviews available.

Details about the day, and a registration form, are available on our website. Find the link in the comments below.

07/04/2026

A lovely piece about our Consultant in Anaesthetics and Critical Care Medicine Dr Ian Mew. 🥰

The man behind it all.
Dr Ian Mew, the man who finds more hours in the day than we think is possible.
Dr Ian Mew is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine. Half of his time is spent working at Dorset County Hospital and the other half with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. He gives his time voluntarily to the DocBike charity, taking time to engage with motorcyclists, talking to them about how to keep a fellow biker alive by attending a BikerDown course and encouraging bikers to become a better and more skilful rider. Having an air ambulance intensive care consultant teach on their local BikerDown course means that it’s an evening of no-nonsense, no-question, how to realistically keep someone alive until the ambulance arrives.
Whilst out on the DocBike in Dorset or surrounding counties, should any patient nearby (not just motorcyclists) require time-critical care, he can be deployed to the incident. Because being tasked to sick and injured people is part of his day job on the air ambulance; the appropriate skills can be rapidly delivered to the patient and then seamlessly integrate with the other emergency services on their arrival – all of whom are used to working with him on a day-to-day basis.
Ian is one of the DocBike Trustees, sits on the National Motorcycle Working Group, has direct liaison with national agencies such as the police & fire chief councils, Highways England and of course the national BikerDown team. He lectures on motorcycle injury prevention around the UK and is a keen supported of research and evidence base to inform the methods and direction of the charity
Image credit: Will Badman Photography

07/04/2026

Our Organisational Development Team recently facilitated a workshop for our Phlebotomy Team, together with The David Ellis Charity. The day was an opportunity for colleagues to come together to develop their Team Charter and take time to focus on their health and wellbeing.

The David Ellis Charity is local Dorset charity dedicated to supporting armed forces personnel, veterans and NHS workers through free recreational, leisure, and social welfare activities. We are incredibly grateful to Sarah-Jane and Nick from the charity for their support - and for introducing the skills of archery to our Phlebotomy Team (it got a little competitive)!

A big thank you to everyone who took part - your energy, honesty and commitment made it a thoroughly enjoyable and beneficial day!

06/04/2026

A big thank you to all our staff who have been working this Easter bank holiday!

Thank you to everyone working across the NHS this bank holiday weekend 💙

And to the public, if you need medical help, use 111, or for a serious or life-threatening emergency, please call 999.

03/04/2026

Out hunting for eggs this weekend? 🐰

Remember, healthcare services are here if you need them. Head to the Stay Well Dorset website for more information - link in the comments below.