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.

Better together – stories from our year: This year’s annual celebration of our work will look a little different and its happening this week! 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 this Thursday 11 September, 1pm-2pm. To join the meeting on the day, click here.

Research and innovation team - new location: The DCHS research and innovation team are delighted to announce that they have moved to a new location within the Walton main hospital building, situated on the main corridor opposite the dining room.

Additionally, as this week is National Quality Improvement Week, our research and innovation team will be hosting an information table/stand outside the new location. This will feature information about DCHS studies that are currently open or being set up. Colleagues will be available at the stand between 11.30am-1.30pm each day this week, so please feel free to come by and chat.

Quality Always: Please be advised that the quality assurance data collection application 'Genome QA' (version 7.0.24) is currently unavailable. An app update is awaited via the Google Play store.

The Quality Always team are available for advice and support. Please contact DCHST.QualityAlways@nhs.net or Esther Almond, clinical lead.

Help choose the colour scheme for Belper’s new health centre: Please vote for your favourite option for the interior colour scheme online here. Anyone near Babington Hospital can also pop in to view the colour sample boards on display in the hospital’s reception – where you can also vote on paper slips and offer any further comments too. But hurry as the deadline for voting is 5pm on Thursday 18 September.

Could you be the next Chair of our EmbRACE staff network?: Are you passionate about equity, inclusion and driving meaningful change? Do you want to amplify the voices of ethnic minority colleagues and shape a more inclusive culture? If so, we invite you to apply for the role of Chair of the EmbRACE (ethnic minorities broadening racial awareness and cultural exchange) staff network. As Chair, you will lead the network in championing the lived experiences of ethnic minority staff, advocating for positive change and influencing policy. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, allies and network members to ensure race equity is embedded across all aspects of DCHS. You’ll gain:

7.5 hours of dedicated time and backfill support for your role
Monthly coaching and development sessions
Opportunities to influence policy and practice
A platform to drive measurable improvements in race equality and staff experience.

This is more than a leadership role - it’s your chance to make a lasting impact. For more information or to express an interest contact: DCHST.Equality@nhs.net.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is this Wednesday 10 September: This year's theme is 'Change the Narrative on Suicide', with the call to action being 'Start the Conversation'. Over the next month, we’ll be hosting several suicide prevention roadshows across the Trust at the following locations:

Whitworth Hospital – Tuesday 16 September, 2-4pm
Ripley Hospital – Tuesday 23 September, 1.30-3.30pm
Ilkeston Hospital – Thursday 25 September, 11.30am-2pm
Buxton Hospital – Thursday 2 October, 10.30am-1pm.

The roadshows will provide a chance for colleagues to find out more about local support and training available. To find out about more ways you can get involved and help to 'change the narrative', please click here.

For more information on our suicide prevention services at DCHS, take a look here.

Walk and Talk Menopause: We're launching a new walking/running group where women can connect, move and share experiences around menopause in a supportive and empowering environment. The team is looking for enthusiastic individuals to be trained as leaders in running fitness to help guide these sessions and foster meaningful conversations. Click here for more information.

Why not take some time for yourself, with the Library Book Club?: The Book Club is an online community where members talk about and recommend books (and sometimes biscuits) with each other on MS Teams chat. Once every two months the club meet at lunchtime online to discuss one of the books from the Royal Derby Hospital library collection. These are chosen by popular vote so that everybody has a chance of influencing what we read. It's a fun, casual environment where you can give as much or as little as you like. You can even simply sit back and enjoy the show.

Check out what the book club is up to and sign up today. You can also wade into their discussions here. If you need any help, they are available by phone, email or chat.

Last Days Matter training: A supportive workshop about planning for end of life,
saying goodbye and what comes after. Whether you’re facing the death of someone important to you or just want to be more prepared for the future, this warm, informal session will help you feel more confident and informed. The workshop is hosted by Ashgate Hospice and you can find out more here.

Pension courses available from Affinity Connect: Various courses are available to colleagues free of charge from Affinity Connect, including a new partial retirement (draw down) course:

Partial retirement - Friday 26 September, 10am - 12pm
Pensions - Tuesday 11 November, 1pm - 2.30pm
Retirement - Thursday 13 November, 1pm - 3.30pm.

If you would like to book onto these sessions or have any questions, please contact Affinity Connect.

Policy update: HRP07 Long Service Awards Policy, HRP27 Pay Protection Policy, HRP09 Maternity and Pay Handbook and HRP09 Family Leave Policy have recently been uploaded to the policy and procedures section of MyDCHS. This update summarises the main changes. It is the responsibility of all staff and managers to ensure policies and procedures are effectively communicated, understood and implemented.

Quality Conversations sessions: This September, join our free, practical training sessions designed for anyone working or volunteering in health, social care or the voluntary sector. Click here to view and join the sessions.

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 6 October. 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:

NHS Elect
A2B alumni event
Incident manager’s initial review and investigation training
How to be an inclusive leader
Management and leadership induction.

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

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.

Role: Administrative Support – Speech & Language Therapy

Location: Acute Hospital & Outpatient Settings
Hours: 17.5 hr a week – 6 month secondment opportunity - Band 3

Are you someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves getting things organised and wants to make a real impact in healthcare? We’re looking for a motivated and detail-focused administrator to support our incredible speech and language therapy (SLT) team working across acute hospital and outpatient settings.

This is more than just an admin role — you’ll be a vital part of a compassionate, forward-thinking clinical team dedicated to helping patients communicate and thrive.

If you would like to have a chat about the role, please contact Simone Reilly simone.reilly@nhs.net, 07587567417 or Vanessa Scurrell, vanessa.scurrell@nhs.net, 07854 660479. Click here to apply for the role.

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

Congratulations to the Swadlincote integrated community team, who have been awarded the Quality and Safe Care Champion of the Month for the August 2025 panel by Quality Always.

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

Diabetes Specialist Nursing (Friday 29 August)
Oakover Ward (Monday 1 September)

A massive congratulations to our two colleagues who have recently passed an Apprenticeship Programme:

Ruth Mather in the People Development Team has completed the Business Administration, Level 3
Geyuwei Zhu in the Finance Team has completed the Assistant Accountant, Level 3.

If you feel inspired and wish to find out more about apprenticeships, please log into the Intranet and the page here.

Excellent student support - AHPs: Click here to see a list of staff, who have been identified in a student survey of providing excellent student support in the trust. Well done and thank you all.

After an incredible 41 years of dedicated service, we bid a fond farewell to Yvonne Gamblen, health visitor in the Ilkeston Health Visiting Team, as she begins her well-earned retirement.

Yvonne’s unwavering professionalism, deep knowledge of the Ilkeston community and compassionate care have made a lasting impact on countless families. Her adaptability, thirst for learning and thorough work ethic have set a gold standard in health visiting.

She’s been more than a colleague — a mentor, a friend and a pillar of support to the Erewash team. Yvonne leaves behind big shoes to fill and a legacy of kindness and excellence.

We wish Yvonne a long, happy and fulfilling retirement. Thank you for everything.

#ThankYouYvonne #HealthVisiting #NHSRetirement #ErewashCommunity #TeamDCHS

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