Flu-a-thon Week is here! It’s Flu-a-thon Week here in DCHS so if you haven’t yet had your flu vaccine, there’s lots happening across the Trust to make it easy and fun to get vaccinated. For example, our vaccinators are sweetening your jab with boxes of chocolates in clinics – and if you find a special golden sweet hidden among the treats, you’ll receive a bonus chocolate bar on the spot!
We know that flu season has hit early and cases are already three times higher than this time last year, so it’s important to get vaccinated to protect yourself, your colleagues and the people you care for. Drop in to any of our flu clinics this week – no appointment needed. Find your nearest clinic here.
NHS Staff Survey: There are only two weeks left to have your say in this year’s survey – it closes on Friday 28 November. Please make sure that you use your voice to complete the survey if you haven’t done so already and join the 63% of colleagues who have already taken part. Our flexible workforce has been included within the NHS Staff Survey once again, so colleagues on the DCHS bank - please remember to take this opportunity to share your views on working for DCHS. And just a reminder to you all – the survey is completely anonymous. We each have a voice that counts.
Join our Annual Members’ Meeting!: Everyone is welcome to attend the Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust Annual Members’ Meeting on Tuesday 25 November from 1pm – 2.30pm (held virtually).
Everyone is welcome to join, click here to download the invite and add it to your diaries. The pop-up will appear in the right side of your page in a 'downloads' column, then you just need to click 'open file' and 'accept' to add it to your diary.
Oliver McGowan training: We are currently working with the local provider for the Oliver McGowan Learning to ensure that the registers for both the Tier 1 Part 2 webinar and the Tier 2 (full-day course) are returned to us more quickly than is currently the case.
Please be assured that once we receive the register, we update it on the same day.
During this time, we kindly ask that you allow up to two weeks after attending your course for your ESR record to be updated.
If your ESR has not been updated after this period, please email: dchst.peopledevelopment@nhs.net. Additionally, when attending the Tier 1 Part 2 webinar, please ensure you enter your full name, the trust you work for and your NHS email address into the chat. This will help us confirm your attendance.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Temporary closure of Walton pharmacy: On Thursday 27 November, Walton pharmacy will be closed for a half-day team training session. The dispensary's opening hours will be: 9am – 12 noon and 4 – 5pm. Please plan ahead and address any routine needs during these hours. Messages left on the dispensary phone (01246 515537) or emails sent to dchst.pharmacyorders@nhs.net or dchst.pharmacydispensary@nhs.net will be prioritised and handled promptly based on urgency. For urgent medication requests or information between 12 noon and 4pm, please call 07443 237721 and leave a brief message. A team member will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
European Testing Week, 17–24 November: It’s European Testing Week - an annual campaign encouraging people to get tested for HIV and other STIs. This week, our sexual health promotion team will be out across Derbyshire offering free condoms, contraception advice and opportunities for HIV and STI testing. The team will be at:
- The Hub @ Derbion – Wednesday 19 November, 2pm – 6pm
- Ripley Market – Friday 21 November, 9.30am –1 1.30am
- Heanor Market – Friday 21 November, 12pm – 2pm.
Keep an eye on our Your Sexual Health Matters social media channels throughout the week and please encourage your networks to take a test or order one online here.
Admin forum: The admin forum welcomed 140 attendees to the last meeting. If you class yourself as working in an administration role, please consider joining future forums – email dchst.adminforum@nhs.net. For those who couldn’t attend last month, or if you want to see a recap, the main themes are included in the summary here.
NHS knowledge and library hub: The NHS knowledge and library hub connects you seamlessly to a range of high-quality knowledge and evidence resources all in one place; it is a single gateway to 1000s of journals, books, clinical decision support and databases like Medline and CINAHL. Click here for more information.
Carers’ Rights Day – Thursday 20 November: This week we are marking Carers’ Rights Day on Thursday 20 November and to help spread the word about the sort of support available at DCHS for anyone with caring responsibilities away from work, we are promoting five top tips for carers and their managers. Click here to find out more.
Sharps Safety Week – coming soon: Next week is our fifth Sharps Safety Week and we have lots going on. Keep an eye out on the DCHS staff Facebook page for daily resources, including our animated video #BeSharpSafe – keeping safe, posters, leaflets and more. Take a look here for more details.
Support World AIDS Day - 1 December 2025: World AIDS Day (WAD) takes place on 1 December each year - a vital opportunity to show solidarity with people living with HIV, remember lives lost and continue to challenge stigma. We’re encouraging all hubs, clinics and teams to get involved and show your support:
1. Order your red ribbons:
2. Display your support:
Every small action helps raise awareness and shows that we stand together in the fight against HIV stigma and discrimination.
Belper’s new health centre – a building soon in need of a name! Belper’s new health centre is rapidly taking shape. New images show just how far the town’s upcoming health centre has progressed in the past month. Click here for more information.
Belper’s new health centre is rapidly taking shape. New images show just how far the town’s upcoming health centre has progressed in the past month.
Festive quiz for Ashgate Hospice: Each year a fundraising quiz for Ashgate Hospice is produced by one of our DCHS colleagues, Helen Witts. Last year it raised over £700 and it is open to everyone. The quiz costs £2 to enter and a £50 cash prize is up for grabs. To enter or find our more information, please email helen.witts@nhs.net
Have your say - join us for EDS domains two and three grading workshops: We are delighted to invite all DCHS colleagues to take part in the Equality Delivery System (EDS) domains two and 3 grading workshops in January 2026. This is a great opportunity for you to share your views on the Trust's equality information or evidence against EDS domains two and three that would be presented and also to help shape improvements. The EDS is a framework that helps us review and improve equality for staff, patients and communities. To find out more about the EDS, visit here.
Further details will be shared nearer the time. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch with the inclusion and belonging team.
