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.

This week is National Inclusion Week: This week helps raise awareness, inspire action and reminds us that fostering an inclusive culture benefits individuals, teams and the wider community - making workplaces fairer, more innovative and better for everyone. We want to shine a spotlight on the value of creating workplaces where everyone feels respected, supported and able to belong. By celebrating inclusion, organisations encourage open conversations about diversity, challenge barriers and promote positive change. You can see here what we at DCHS are doing to help! You can also visit the equality, diversity and inclusion teams' page here.

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, the deadline for voting is 5pm this Thursday 18 September.

Quality Always: Please be advised that following a temporary issue, the quality assurance data collection application 'Genome QA' is now available again. Users are required to update their app to version 7.4.1 via the Google Play store. The Always team is available for advice and support. Contact DCHST.QualityAlways@nhs.net or Esther Almond, clinical lead.

Introducing 'Let’s Talk Improvement '– a DCHS podcast: Are you passionate about making healthcare better, one idea at a time? Then tune in to 'Let’s Talk Improvement', the brand-new podcast from the improvement, innovation & effectiveness team at DCHS. Each episode brings you real stories from real people across DCHS who are driving change and improving care. From reducing waiting times to delivering care closer to home, our colleagues are making a difference. Listen here today!

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.

Project management lunch and learn sessions – delivered by Raki Raya: Starting this Wednesday 17 September, Raki Raya, senior programme manager in the primary care team, will be offering weekly bitesize sessions on key aspects of successful project management. With 15 years of project management experience, an MSc in project management and chartered programme manager status with the Association of Project Management, Raki brings a wealth of knowledge to these sessions. If you are interested in attending, please click here to see the dates or email Lucy Allen at lucy.allen38@nhs.net

10% discount voucher from Halfords for cycling accessories and essentials: As our cycle-to-work scheme partners, Halfords is offering 10% off cycle-related purchases.

For purchase in Halfords stores only (not online). Available to all employees, not just cycle-to-work applicants. Friends and family can also use the voucher. Discount includes children’s bikes. Exclusions apply (e-bikes, scooters, cycling tech, motoring items/services), find the voucher here.

Technology Enabled Care week, 22 - 27 September: Next week is 'Technology Enabled Care' (TEC) week, where there is a fantastic range of opportunities to learn about how technology enabled care can support people to live more independent lives. Click here to see the list of events taking place.

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.

Clinical skills alert: The syringe driver training on ESR has changed from a once only update to a three-yearly update. This change will be going live on ESR soon. Therefore, if you go red for syringe drivers on your ESR training compliance can you please book onto '842 symptom management and syringe driver update'.

Spring 2026 apprenticeship programme intakes - clinical apprenticeships: If you wish to apply for the nursing or allied health professional apprenticeships due to start in Spring 2026, the closing date for applications is 30 September. You can only apply if your manager has confirmed support. If you wish to apply, click here. For more information contact the wider workforce team at dchst.apprenticeships@nhs.net and put ‘clinical programme’ in the subject box.

Developing healthcare talent for those working as clinical support workers: The programme has been developed for clinical support workers (for bands up to and including AFC band 4) across the East Midlands Alliance. The programme has been written to further develop and expand core skills and competencies, support people in their personal and professional development and strengthening their sense of belonging in their organisations.

The programme takes place over 16 weeks and consists of eight, 90-minute virtual face-to-face sessions delivered every two weeks. In between these sessions participants engage in reflective practice including connecting with their practice partners for valuable collaboration opportunities. It is fully funded by the East Midlands Alliance, there are no hidden costs. Click here for more information.

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.

Are you currently working as a band 8a to 8c professional and are an aspiring senior leader? There is an opportunity to apply for a fully funded bespoke Rosalind Franklin leadership programme. The programme is delivered across six modules with children and young people specific elements embedded within the programme and will run over a nine-month period. The focus of the programme is on system-wide leadership for maternity, neonatal and children’s services. Click here for more information.

RCN foundation Amin Abdullah grant: To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, the RCN foundation is proud to reopen the Amin Abdullah Grant. Launched in 2022, this is an annual grant of up to £1,000 to fund nurse-led projects that focus on the mental health and wellbeing of nurses. Applications are open to UK registered nurses and you do not need to be an RCN member to apply. The deadline to apply is 5pm on 10 October. Click here to apply.

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.

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

Our estates department had a successful audit for BSI in August: A BSI audit is a service offered by the British Standards Institution (BSI Group) to assess an organisation's compliance with specific standards, such as ISO 9001, or to conduct internal audits and supplier assessments. These audits involve a two-stage process including a documentation review (stage one) and on-site verification of processes, records and personnel (stage two) to provide insights and identify opportunities for improvement. The goal is to help organisations gain certification, improve performance, manage risk and build trust with stakeholders. The assessment concluded that general processes for both were seen to be well managed and maintained and continued certification recommended. Thank you to everyone for your continued support and especially those who were involved over the two days and contributed to our successful assessment.

Well done to Ellen Skeggs for completing her Master of Science in advanced clinical practice and getting a distinction! This is an amazing achievement as Ellen has worked so hard over the past three years and continued to support and manage nurses completing their specialist nurse training alongside completing her own studies. Congratulations Ellen!

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

Amber Valley wound clinic (Friday 12 September)

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

Jane Bull, India Ogden-Smith and Matthew Cole

Pictured: Logistics colleagues Jane Bull and India Ogden-Smith helping loading the van with Matthew Cole from the charity.

A huge shoutout to our incredible DCHS Integrated Facilities Management Logistics Team who’ve organised a vanload of out-of-date medical equipment for donation to North Norfolk Aid for Ukraine.

Thanks to Warp-it, these items – including uniforms, syringes, dressings, blood transfusion kits, goggles, feeding tubes, gloves and more – will now support front-line medical facilities and rescue services in Ukraine, instead of going to waste.

Jane, recently appointed Logistics Team Manager, said: “This is a great example of what good can be achieved when we all work together. It saves money, supports sustainability and helps those in need.”

#DCHS #WarpIt #AidForUkraine #Sustainability #Teamwork #Logistics #ReuseNotWaste #NHS

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