Flu campaign: Thank you to everyone who took part in last week’s Flu-a-thon! If you haven’t yet had your flu vaccination, our clinic are still running – and our vaccinators will still be sweetening your jab with boxes of chocolates in clinics! No appointment needed - find your nearest clinic here.
Reminder – NHS Staff Survey closes this week: There's only one week left to have your say in this year’s survey – it closes this Friday. Please make sure that you use your voice to complete the survey if you haven’t done so already. Our flexible workforce have been included within the NHS Staff Survey again this year – bank colleagues, please take this opportunity to share your views on working for us. And just a reminder to you all - the survey is completely anonymous. We all 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.
Copilot Chat: Copilot Chat is now available to all users within the NHS Tenant – meaning that it is available to all DCHS staff. Copilot Chat is an AI assistant that can help you streamline tasks, but with less functionality than the full Copilot product. If you don’t have a full Copilot license, Copilot Chat offers valuable support for content creation and editing, information retrieval and summarisation, data analysis, coding assistance and automating repetitive workflows and daily processes. Have a look at the Copilot Chat guidance for useful tips and best practices.
For further information on getting started, please refer to the Microsoft link Microsoft LiveSend, which provides comprehensive guidance. For neurodiverse colleagues, there is a dedicated Co-pilot neurodiverse subgroup that offers support, hints and advice. To join the Co-pilot neurodiverse subgroup directly from Teams, please use the relevant joining link for access, all welcome.
The use of AI bots: Recently a DCHS member of staff noticed that an external AI bot had joined under the name of an attendee from another organisation. The bot was identified because the attendee was not expected, had their camera off, remained silent when questions were directed to them and then hovering over their name revealed the name of an AI company as part of their job title. The meeting was discussing sensitive, although not identifiable, information and the use of this AI bot had not been discussed or agreed with anyone at the meeting.
An AI (artificial intelligence) bot is software that performs automated tasks, such as recording, transcription, summarising discussions or providing meeting insights. Bots often have job titles like “Meeting Assistant” or “AI Notetaker”, do not use their camera or audio and may join automatically using the meeting invite.
- Be vigilant: Always check who is attending, especially in external meetings.
- Identify bots: If you spot a bot, inform the host immediately. If not approved, it must be removed.
- Protect vensitive information: Do not share personal or confidential data if an unverified bot is present. Contact the IG Team for advice.
- Update terms of reference: You may want to update the group ToR to exclude the use of unapproved AI bots. External organisations using bots must seek prior approval from the meeting host.
- Report concerns: Notify the host and information governance team if unsure about a bot’s legitimacy.
If you have any questions or need further clarification please contact dchst.info.gov@nhs.net
Unit 4 substitutes: As the festive season quickly approaches, we would like to remind everyone to ensure they set their out-of-office substitutes in Unit 4, if they will be taking any annual leave. It's important to keep things running smoothly while you're away! Additionally, please remember to log into Unit 4 at least once every quarter to avoid your access being parked. Click here to access a guide on how to set up your substitutes.
NHS pension: Do you have questions regarding your NHS pension? Consultation sessions have been arranged in conjunction with our pensions advisory team for you to obtain information about your NHS pension, to gain more understanding and have any questions you may have answered. Click here for more information.
Policy update: The following updated People Services policies and guidance documents have 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.
Safeguarding (Think Family) Update – Effective 1 December 2025:From 1 December 2025, annual safeguarding updates are replaced by a new 18-month renewal cycle. Staff will alternate between an MS Teams classroom session and eLearning every 18 months. The safeguarding workbook is now optional but remains available as a resource. ESR records will reflect the new renewal period, and some colleagues may see extended expiry dates, allowing them to adjust course bookings.
For new clinical starters, Level 3 roles require in-date CSTF training in Safeguarding Adults, Children and PREVENT Awareness, all valid for 12 months. If all competencies are current, a local safeguarding webinar must be completed within the first month; if not, the Think Family Level 3 classroom session is required. Level 2 roles follow similar requirements, with updates via eLearning or the Think Family Level 2 pathway. Induction classes end on 1 December 2025. For queries, contact dchst.esr.olm@nhs.net or dchst.esrol@nhs.net
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.
This week is Sharps Safety Week: Needle stick injuries are one of the most reported adverse incidents within the NHS and constitute a major hazard for the transmission of viral disease – hepatitis B and C and HIV. Sharps incidents can happen in any clinical setting, including in the community. Take a look at this scenario-based video about a patient being cared for in the community, and what to do in the event of a sharps incident.
Throughout the week, we will be sharing lots more resources in our staff Facebook group, including informative videos and literature to support you, so keep an eye out for those.
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.
Would you like to hear about ‘Join Dementia Research’? If you, your team or a group, would like to find out more about the Join Dementia Research (JDR) programme, let us know! Members of the research team are asked about dementia studies almost every time we visit an event and we would love to reach more people to let them know what JDR is, and how they can get involved. JDR is a UK-wide initiative that connects people—whether living with dementia, caring for someone or simply interested—to research studies. Anyone over 18 can sign up, with or without a dementia diagnosis. You’ll be matched to studies that fit your profile, and there’s no obligation to take part. Getting involved helps improve care, develop new treatments, and move us closer to a cure. You can register online or by phone and choose which opportunities to pursue.
How do people feel after a Quality Conversation?
- “I came away from our conversation feeling stronger.”
- “It truly helped me find my feelings and share my feelings, it has been transformative.”
- “It’s really helped. I feel lighter and brighter. When we spoke I had lightbulb moments.”
Book on to one of our December sessions today!
