We are pleased to announce that Clare Hermans has been appointed into an interim role as lead for advancing clinical practice for DCHS. Clare is an experienced advanced practitioner who has been working as our advanced practice education lead most recently, particularly with Primary Care Network staff. This interim role follows the departure of Andy Cole to UHDB. Over the next couple of months we will be working to agree a structure and recruit to a substantive position for the leadership of Advancing Practice. Meanwhile Ben Pearson, executive medical director, is delighted to welcome Clare into his senior team where she will work closely with Becky Steed supporting multiprofessional development across the Trust.”
‘Have Your Say’ on DCHS’ Performance in relation to Inclusive Leadership
We want you to have your say on DCHS’ evidence on the NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS), specifically Domain 3, which focuses on inclusive leadership and has three Outcome areas (3a-3c). .
The EDS is an evidence-based framework against which NHS organisations must annually assess how they are delivering equalities for their patients, employees and communities as well as how inclusive each organisation’ leadership is.
Please read through and then grade as well as provide feedback on the Trust’s evidence outlined in the attached documents, using the EDS Domain 3 Grading and Feedback Form, which includes the grading (rating/scoring) criteria, including examples of the evidence that each of the three Outcome areas asks for. This is an opportunity to tell us how you think we are performing as an organisation against the grading criteria, including where and how we could improve. The closing date to do this is Friday 21 March 2025.
Further information about the EDS is accessible here and here on the EDS Technical Guidance. You can also contact the Inclusion & Belonging Team via dchst.equality@nhs.net if you have any related query. Thank you.
Room bookings within DCHS: Colleagues are being reminded of the vital need to cancel room bookings if they no longer need them. The Site Optimisation Group met on 25 February and discussed the need for a crackdown on rooms being booked out but not occupied, meaning others can’t utilise the space.
Specific examples of this happening were aired and the frustration it causes, as well as the waste of resources. If you are unable to cancel a booking via Resource Scheduler – perhaps due to lack of intranet access or being on the move – you can ring the site receptionist who will be able to cancel the room booking for you.
The contract for Resource Scheduler is due to expire at the end of July and the group is looking at alternative room booking platforms which might be easier to use on the move, on work phones. Please watch this space and check your Resource Scheduler bookings now to make sure you are not tying up valuable DCHS space you aren’t going to use. Room usage is being monitored and where we are aware of teams with frequently booked out but unused rooms this will be flagged.
Belper new build – latest news: Exciting, visible signs of progress were in evidence this week with construction of the steel frame begun on Monday (24 February). In the coming weeks we will see the new health hub really start to take shape! Monthly stakeholder meetings will reconvene on 2 April for service leads of teams who are due to move into the new building when it is completed next Spring. You can read more in the latest newsletter.
Women's History Month: March is Women’s History Month, and with International Women’s Day (IWD) coming up this week (Saturday 8 March), we want to celebrate all the incredible women who work with us in #TeamDCHS.
If you’d like to be featured on our social media channels throughout the month, please send us a photo of yourself, your name, job title and an answer to one of these questions:
- What advice would you give to your younger self?
- Who is a woman, from past or present, that inspires you and why?
- What’s been your proudest moment?
- As a woman, what are you most grateful for?
- What is your superpower?
Please send your details by email to dchst.communications@nhs.net or by WhatsApp to Hollie on 07901115939 by Friday 7 March.
Sparkle Night Walk: Join Ashgate Hospice on Saturday 28 June for a 10K night walk through Chesterfield, lighting up the streets in a sea of pink and sparkle, all while raising funds for the hospice.
By signing up a team, you’ll enjoy:
- A night of fun and laughter with your colleagues.
- A fantastic team building experience.
- The chance to make a real impact in your community.
- An unforgettable atmosphere as you walk alongside thousands of others in support of Ashgate.
Sign up here!
Inclusion and Belonging conference: We’re hosting the Inclusion & Belonging conference - ran by the Staff Networks!
- Wednesday 11 June (9am) at The Post Mill Centre
We’d love for you to join us in a day of networking, learning, and fun!
The aim of the day is to connect with colleagues, share ideas and gain new insights.
This year’s theme is around living and lived experiences!
It will also be a great opportunity to expand your professional network and enhance your skills!
Click here to book your place.
Five Dinners: As we approach Ramadan, we would love you to hear more about our Inclusion and Belonging lead, Ismaa Ramzan, who shares a bit about her background and the importance of food in her life. Ismaa also shares a recipe which is close to her heart. To read more about Ismaa, click here.
Usually £36 per year, Five Dinners is a platform that will create a fully personalised meal plan and shopping list – just for you! FREE to Derbyshire Community Health Services Staff – join today to claim your free membership!
Healthwatch Derbyshire award finalist: Healthwatch Derbyshire’s work highlighting a greater need for clear information for patients being discharged from hospital, has been shortlisted for a National Healthwatch Impact Award, recognising outstanding examples of people sharing their experiences to improve care for their community. You can read more here.
Introducing our new Quality Conversations e-learning!
- This interactive e-learning will teach you enhanced communication skills to help you play a part in reducing health inequalities, whatever your role
- This course is essential and available to anyone working in the health, social care and community voluntary and social enterprise sector in Derby and Derbyshire
- It is suitable for anyone, in any role
- The e-learning is three 20 minute modules.
Watch our brand new video here which explains more about the training.
And book on to the training here!
