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.

TEC Week (technology enabled care): Derbyshire County Council today begins a week of webinars and roadshows designed to spread the word about how technology can support people to live independently for longer. Check out this poster for events throughout the week. Topics covered will include smart home technology and a look at some of the various aids which are making independent living a greater possibility for many people.

Remote workers' equipment PAT testing: The next remote workers PAT testing session is taking place this Thursday 25 September, 10am – 12pm at Ripley Hospital (Ormonde room), This is only for remote workers and does NOT including medical devices.

Celebrating community NHS services: Two weeks ago we celebrated DCHS’ Better Together event which put the spotlight on ways in which our own community services and partnership working is improving care for people in Derby and Derbyshire.

This week NHS Providers is hosting a national #CelebratingCommunityServices week via its Community Network, in collaboration with NHS Confederation. We are all being invited to share our successes on the hashtag, helping us reach a wider audience for our successes. Watch out for the hashtag on our own social media channels. And if you have something you want to share, please let us know at dchst.communications@nhs.net

World Suicide Prevention Day: This year's theme is 'Change the narrative on suicide', with the call to action being 'start the conversation'. Over the next few weeks we’ll be hosting several suicide prevention roadshows across DCHS at the following locations:

Ripley Hospital – tomorrow, 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. You can also get involved in other ways, such as completing the 30-minute zero suicide alliance training on ESR, exploring resources on our suicide prevention intranet page, or booking a one-hour awareness session for your team. 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.

Admin forum next meeting - Wednesday 22 October 10.30am-11.30am: Hazel Lea would like to welcome our admin colleagues to attend the next admin forum on 22 October. You can use this link to join the meeting. Last month’s forum saw 100 admin attendees – if you missed it, or wish to see a re-cap, click here to view the summary.

Join the next research & innovation café – online, this Thursday, 25 September, 1-2pm: The research and innovation café is hosted by the DCHS research and innovation team and is an informal place for colleagues interested in research at DCHS to be involved in conversations about research at DCHS.

As well as providing updates on current research activity at DCHS, this Thursday’s café will shine a light on patient stories and the impact being involved in research has had on them and their lives and will also highlight studies DCHS has been involved in and how they’ve helped shape patient care.

If you’re new to research, have a budding interest or are well experienced and have stories to tell about research you’ve been involved in yourself, please come along and share them and join in the conversation by clicking here.

Quality Conversations sessions: Click here to view and join the latest sessions.

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.

Carers in Derbyshire: A recent survey completed by the DSAB (Derbyshire Adult Safeguarding Board) indicates that not all professionals or agencies are aware of what support is available for carers and how to sign post them to services or resources. Click here to see what services and support options are available.

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.

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

Shout-out to the Ripley occupational therapy team: Some fantastic news to share, Prof. Phillip Conaghan and the central study team at the National Institute for Health and Care Research, have reported that DCHS is currently leading the way in recruitment, with the highest number of participants recruited across all 20+ UK sites so far!

Along with DCHS research team, this achievement is largely thanks to the hard work and commitment of Simon Everett (principal investigator) and the occupational therapy team at Ripley Hospital, Diane O’Keeffe, Laura Briggs and Kelly Shaw, who have gone above and beyond in identifying suitable participants for the study. The enthusiasm has made a real difference. Thank you all.

Farewell to Chris Hampson: We’d like to take a moment to thank Christine (Chris) Hampson, who left DCHS last week after an outstanding NHS career spanning nearly four decades. Chris has been with DCHS from day one and has made a remarkable impact both in her patient-facing and managerial roles, always being a strong advocate for our AHP workforce and keeping the needs of patients at the heart of what she does. Her passion and dedication have been hugely appreciated and she’ll be greatly missed. We wish her every happiness for the future.

Congratulations to Diane Concannon, who works with the Chesterfield and north-east crisis response team/rapid services, and has been shortlisted for the degree apprentice of the year at the annual Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards for her outstanding effort on the registered nurse degree apprenticeship programme!

Well done Diane.

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