Welcome to this week’s edition of My Download – your go-to round-up of all the latest news and updates. Got something to share with colleagues? Send it our way by 5pm on Thursday: dchst.communications@nhs.net.

EmbRACE Summer Social – Saturday 16 August: Pack your picnic blanket, gather your family and join us for a sun-filled day of good food, laughter and connection! EmbRACE invites all members, allies and their families to celebrate our diverse cultures through shared stories. Bring a picnic and feel free to share! Let’s mingle, relax and turn friendly faces into friends. We’d love a big turnout, so help us spread the word and download the MS Teams and email banner here.

Latest edition of 'Where’s the Teaspoon' is now live: In the latest episode of our podcast, we chatted with Dr Ian Lawrence, who is our clinical director for integration and chief clinical information officer, about his love of music festivals and his volunteering experience at Glastonbury. Listen on Spotify here or YouTube (with subtitles) here.

Save the date: ‘better together – stories from our year’: This year’s annual celebration of our work will look a little different. Due to changes in accounting and audit rules, we’re unable to officially sign off our annual report and accounts until later in the year. So instead of a traditional annual members’ meeting, we’re holding a special event under a new banner: ‘better together – stories from our year’. It’s taking place on Thursday 11 September – more details will follow. For now, please save the date.

Microsoft Teams - video training series: If you’re looking to get more out of Microsoft Teams, there’s a helpful set of video training resources available here. It’s a great way to pick up tips, learn new features and boost your confidence using Teams.

World Suicide Prevention Day is fast approaching on Wednesday 10 September! The Derby and Derbyshire suicide prevention team will be hosting some events across DCHS during September and October, so keep your eyes peeled for dates.

Places are still available on the deaf and disability workshop (online): Wednesday 17 September 2025, 1-4pm. The aim of the course is to assist staff in breaking down barriers and creating a positive, supportive and inclusive environment. You are able to book via ESR.

NHS England Oliver McGowan training: Click here to find out more about the Oliver McGowan mandatory training on learning disabilities and autism. The webinars last for 60-minutes and you must complete the full session for compliance to be recorded.

Work experience update – temporary process now in place

From today (4 August) a temporary process for work experience placements is in effect while we transition to a new system. Please read the full details here. If you’ve already arranged a placement, please continue to inform us at dchst.workexperience@nhs.net so we can assist with paperwork.

Remember that your NHSmail account must be logged in to at least once every 30 days for it to remain active: If your account becomes inactive the NHSmail team will automatically delete the account if it remains unused for a further 30 days. Deletion of your accounts means that your email account and any information stored in your OneDrive account will be permanently deleted. If staff go on maternity leave, long term sick or any other long term absence, then they must either:

Ensure they log in to their accounts at least once every 30 days
Ensure their NHSmail account is marked as disabled, it can then be re-enabled within the next 18 months.

For attention of all non medical prescribers, enhanced clinical practitioners and advanced clinical practitioners (trainees included): We would love to hear your suggestions and ideas for future CPD topics. Please share your thoughts here. We encourage our sessions to be multi-disciplinary and to include content that informs your daily practice. Therefore, feedback from all clinical areas is encouraged. Keep in mind the topics we have already covered to avoid duplication (see recorded sessions). And we are always looking for speakers, so if you have a professional interest or specialist area that you'd like to present please get in touch directly: ruth.regan@nhs.net.

Calling all occupational therapists who need to undertake training for their role as practice placement educators: The University of Derby is providing L’Apple (local approval of practice placement) sessions for educators, click here to find out more.

Medicines management newsletter: Click here to read the latest edition.

Clinical apprenticeship programme - closing date 30 September: If you'd like to apply for the nursing or allied health professional apprenticeships starting in Spring 2026 the closing date for applications is 30 September 2025. You can only apply if your manager has confirmed their support. To apply click here. For more information contact the wider workforce team at dchst.apprenticeships@nhs.net.

Training at Ashgate Hospice: The next 'verification of expected adult death' training will be held on 29 September; and syringe driver training is on 4 September. Please see the posters here and here for more info.

SAGE & THYME communication skills workshops: Do you know how to talk to someone who is worried or distressed? This is an evidence-based communication skills workshop which teaches:

A memorable, structured approach for getting into (and out of) a conversation
How to empower patients/carers who are worried or distressed
Communication skills that are evidence-based.

The next available workshop is on Monday 1 September. It takes place from 1pm - 4.30pm with registration from 12.45pm. If you have learning concerns, mobility or accessibility needs (e.g. physical, sight or hearing impairments) please contact helen.johnston@ashgatehospice.org.uk and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss the adjustments we can make for you.

This week’s leaders' and managers' update includes:

Reciprocal mentoring
Derbyshire leader - bookings open.
Incident manager’s initial review and investigation training
Making sense of AI
How to be an inclusive leader.

Read more in the latest update here or contact the leadership development team with any queries.

Wellbeing timetable: The wellbeing timetable, listing events for the rest of the summer, is available here.

Update from your wellbeing team: Take a look at the wellbeing team's latest update here. To find out more about the diverse range of wellbeing support available visit the website or contact the team: dchst.yourwellbeingteam@nhs.net.

Well done to the following teams on receiving their DCHS Dignity 2 award and Quality Always Gold via the earned autonomy self-assessment process:

Whitworth UTC (24 July)
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire rapid response team (25 July)

And congratulations to our colleague Lauren Batty from the pharmacy team for successfully completing her level three pharmacy technician apprenticeship! Well done, Lauren – your hard work and dedication have truly paid off. If you feel inspired and wish to find out more about apprenticeships, please log into the Intranet and visit our page here.

Jobs at DCHS: Check out all the latest vacancies here.

Congratulations to Emma Moslin who works in occupational therapy on receiving her 20 years NHS long service award at our latest #DCHSTTT. What an incredible achievement!

Thank you for your service, Emma.

#TeamDCHS

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