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.

2025 NHS Staff Survey: The NHS Staff Survey launched last Monday and you should have received your survey via email from picker_surveys@picker.org. If you haven’t received it, please check your junk folder to see if the survey is in there.

This year’s staff survey includes a couple of questions that ask what the main earner in your household did when you were aged 14. This is part of a national effort to understand social mobility. The aim is to see whether career opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of background and whether the NHS is making progress in ensuring a person’s future isn’t shaped by their upbringing. You can read a summary of changes to the 2025 Staff Survey here.

The survey is an important opportunity for each of us to share our experiences, insights and thoughts on how we can continue to improve as an organisation and employer - we all have a voice that counts! If you experience any issues completing your survey, please let Simon Rose know.

Our annual flu vaccination programme is live - drop-in to a flu clinic this week: Protect yourself, your patients and your colleagues this winter by getting your flu vaccination. You can book into one of our clinics here (you’ll have to be on site/connected to the VPN). Locations of flu clinics this week include Florence Nightingale Community Hospital, Walton Hospital, Long Eaton Health Centre and Ilkeston Community Hospital - you can see all the times and dates and find your nearest clinic here. Please feel free to drop-in to any of these flu clinics at any time.

Our flu team will also visit team meetings and events again this year. Just email the team at dchst.flu@nhs.net and they will be in touch to assist you.

National Speak Up Week is coming, 13–18 October: The theme this year is ‘Follow Up in Action’. As leaders, we all have a responsibility to act on what we hear. When we follow up with action, we show that speaking up leads to real improvements - and that concerns won’t be ignored. DCHS is extending Speak Up Week throughout October, with a range of site visits, activities and promotions led by our freedom to speak up guardian and ambassadors. We encourage everyone to take part in Wear Green Wednesday on 15 October to show your support.

Black History Month: October marks Black History Month – The theme this year is ‘Standing firm in power and pride’. We encourage staff to explore and take part in the many activities happening across Derbyshire and the East Midlands. You can see them here.

Research at DCHS. What to do when approached to participate in or share research: The research and innovation team would like to highlight the following guidance for the steps to take any time you are presented with a research opportunity for NHS staff, patients or your service. The first step is to let the DCHS research and innovation team know details of the research you’ve been presented with. Please see the full guidance here.

The latest Conversations in Frailty Podcast is out now! Episode 13 – Continence: The prevalence of bladder problems in our frail elderly population is huge – yet it isn’t inevitable with age and there is much we clinicians can impact.

Listen in to hear Dr Sarah Morris in discussion with Anita Counsell, lead urology clinical nurse specialist in continence at the Royal Derby Hospital. How can we best ask the questions? What, if any, investigations are needed routinely? How can we look holistically at our frail patients to avoid those inappropriate catheters! Take a listen on YouTube or find it and follow on Spotify.

Remembrance day with the Armed Forces Network: On Tuesday 11 November we will be gathering at the National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, DE13 7AR. Everyone is welcome to join. Click here for more details and parking booking.

Wear Red Day: Wear Red Day is coming up on Friday 17 October in partnership with 'Show Racism the Red Card.' We encourage staff and teams to wear red to show support and solidarity. You can also use this MS teams background to show support.

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.

World Mental Health Day - 10 October: World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for us all to talk about mental health and consider how, together, we can help everyone have better mental health.

Talking about mental health isn’t always easy. That’s why our training, 'Having Better Mental Health Conversations', will offer you practical tips and advice for how to open up conversations about mental health and how to respond when someone opens up about their mental health. Book your session today and learn how to make a difference.

Apprenticeship event: Join the team in November for an opportunity to discuss several apprenticeship options. Click here for more information.

Pension credit and winter fuel payments issue: At the group’s meeting on 21 July, there were discussions about people querying the authenticity of letters they had received from the DWP about pension credit and winter fuel payments. Whilst national discussions are ongoing, Karen Hartley from the DWP has provided the below guidance about pension credit and winter fuel payments.

If colleagues have concerns, they (with consent from the customer) or the customer themselves can:

Call the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898
Speak to Citizens Advice
Visit their local Job centre.

Service users who are DWP customers should be encouraged to continue to follow general scam awareness advice and precautions when assessing the validity of letters:

Be sceptical of unsolicited letters
Check for red flags
Verify the source
Never send money or share personal information
Report suspicious letters
Dispose securely.

Autumn energy-saving tips: With autumn upon us it’s a good time to focus some mental energy on top tips for better energy efficiency. We’ve come up with a list of 8 simple but effective ways to save energy and money. These are easy steps we can all take to help keep the lid on our energy costs and lighten the financial strain on us as we work hard to reduce our spending within DCHS. And you can adopt them at home too. From supplies to electricity, heating and water... what we save on resources means more money for patient care. Collectively our small, everyday actions can lead to big savings and boost our resilience. Got a smart energy-saving idea? Email it to dchst.communications@nhs.net – your tip could inspire change across DCHS.

Tip 2: Chilly mornings make it tempting to leave things running, but powering down is one of the simplest ways to save. Every small action helps.

Tip of the week: Shut down computers and monitors – don’t just leave them on standby.
One monitor left on can cost £10 a year. Across the Trust, that adds up to thousands. Power down, save more.

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

The tissue viability team are now offering toe doppler training: Various dates and locations are available, which are bookable on ESR. Please contact the tissue viability inbox for any queries, dchst.dchstissueviability@nhs.net.

Pharmacy audit: Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the pharmacy Duthie audit this Bi annual period which ran from 1 April to 30 September 2025.

We have seen an improvement in the number of audits completed over this audit period and hope to improve this further during the next cycle.

The next Bi annual medication Duthie audit cycle commenced on 1 October 2025 and will be open for submission of data collection until 31 March 2026. If your location stocks any medication lines, you must complete a Duthie audit, please ensure this is completed within this timeframe.

If your area is closing temporarily or you no longer stock medication please inform pharmacy so we can keep our records updated. The Duthie audit has undergone a review of its standards and from 1 October, the new audit proforma will be available on AMaT. Please take care when completing and be sure to read the standards as there have been some minor word changes and additional standards added, particularly focusing around anaphylaxis packs and FP10 prescriptions.

If you have any questions relating specifically to the Duthie audit standards please contact the audit lead on the following email address anna-marie.wrighton@nhs.net.

Mary Seacole local programme Derbyshire – upcoming awareness sessions: We have arranged three awareness sessions for potential applicants, see the below for the links to book a place to attend.

Tuesday 30 September - 11.00am-11.45am, Online here

Thursday 23 October - 9.00am-9.45am, Online here

Thursday 13 November 2025 - 1.00pm-1.45pm, Online here.

University training dates (practice supervisor / practice assessor): Four universities are collaborating to provide training dates via MS Teams, for nurses who need preparation or updating for the practice supervisor or practice assessor role.

Staff are welcome to attend the session that suits them best. Click here for all the dates. Please note the University of Nottingham session on 8 December 2025 has replaced the 10 December session.

Mental health, learning disabilities and autism delivery board: See here for the latest update.

Training at Ashgate Hospice: The next 'verification of expected adult death' training will be held on 11 December and syringe driver training is on 12 January. Please see the posters here and here for more info.

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

A2B alumni event
World Mental Health Day
Speak Up Week
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.

Click here for the new Autumn wellbeing timetable for 2025.

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.

Wishing Sue Barton a fond farewell: After 38 years of dedicated service with IFM, we are sadly saying farewell to Sue Barton, IFM locality manager (north), as she begins her well-earned retirement on 31 October. Sue’s departure marks not only the end of an extraordinary career, but also a big milestone for IFM and DCHS. Throughout her time with us, she has been a constant source of support, experience and knowledge for colleagues across the service. She has consistently embodied the values of IFM and the Trust and her hard work, dedication and commitment will leave a lasting legacy. She will be greatly missed and we extend our heartfelt thanks for everything she has given, along with our very best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement.

From 1 November, we are pleased to welcome Ruth Keen as the new IFM locality manager (North). Ruth, who is currently IFM operational manager for High Peak and community, has been part of IFM for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. Please join us in congratulating Ruth and wishing her every success in this new chapter.

Congratulations to Alison Tranter on achieving her 40 years long service award.

Alison’s contributions to DCHS 0-19 children’s service and Derbyshire County Council public health teams are invaluable. Alison’s hard work as well as the knowledge and skills that she has developed and shared over the years are all very much appreciated.

Pathway celebrations: In August, our head of patient experience and involvement and volunteering officer were recognised by Derby Inclusion College for supporting two student volunteers. They received flowers and a thank-you card, with the college praising the positive impact on the students and expressing interest in continuing the partnership.

Additionally, they secured charitable funding for a one-year sponsored internship for one of the students, offering skill development, work experience and confidence-building to help them move toward paid employment. This highlights our commitment to inclusive volunteering and the value of working with local education providers to create lasting benefits for young people and our organisation.

Congratulations to the self-management facilitator team, on your successful Quality Always Gold achievement at Panel, on 24 September.

Well done to Emily Winterton, who works with us as a health visitor, on being a recent runner-up in our ROSE awards!

Emily's nomination said: “Emily has been amazing for me and my son she has always been kind, informative and supportive throughout our time with her. She is very trustworthy, and I feel so comfortable in her presence and puts me at ease when I have worries and builds me up when I doubt myself. I will never forget her and her kindness.”

Well done on this fantastic achievement Emily.

#TeamDCHS

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