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.

Get protected for the festive season: Flu cases are continuing to rise, and with the colder weather setting in, now is the time to get protected. The flu vaccine takes around two weeks to become fully effective, so getting vaccinated now means you’re protecting yourself and the people you care for over the festive period. Drop in to any of our flu clinics this week - no appointment needed. Find your nearest clinic here.

New NHS uniform – ordering process ahead of rollout: The new NHS uniform will be distributed across DCHS from March 2026. In the meantime, if you need to order the current uniforms (e.g. for new starters), please contact the logistics team at dchst.logisticsteam@nhs.net before placing any new orders. The team currently holds a substantial stock of tunics, trousers, and dresses in a variety of colourways, which may meet your needs. If the logistics team does not hold the stock you require, please keep any new orders to a minimum, using the usual ordering process, until the new uniform becomes available. Please note that certain coloured trims have been discontinued. If your preferred option is unavailable, discuss an alternative colourway with your line manager. The chosen colourway must be appropriate to your current role and banding, and not represent a higher band or role than your current position. Learn more here.

Have your say on the name of Belper’s new health centre: We’re inviting colleagues, local residents and patients to help select the name for Belper’s £15 million health centre, set to open in spring 2026 - and voting is now live. You can choose from a shortlist of names that reflect the centre’s role in the community: Belper Health Centre, Babington Health Centre, Belper Integrated Health Hub, Babington Integrated Health Hub, Belper Health Hub or Babington Health Hub. Cast your vote online here: Voting will remain open until 5pm on Wednesday 14 January.

Safeguarding service telephone update: When you call the Safeguarding service on 01773 850000, you will now hear a new message. Please listen carefully to the full message before making your selection, as you will be offered three options:

Administration
Children’s advice
Adult advice

If your call is not answered, please leave a message. A member of the team will return your call as soon as possible. If you do not leave a message, we will be unable to get back to you.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: On 3 December, we will be marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Positively Purple). The purpose of this campaign aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by disabled people and show solidarity. As part of this, click here to see the Neurodiversity toolkit.

Safeguarding (Think Family) Update – Effective 1 December 2025: From today , 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. For queries, contact dchst.esr.olm@nhs.net or dchst.esrol@nhs.net

New webpage alert: Your Go-to Hub for home working resources! We’re excited to launch a brand-new webpage designed to support colleagues who work from home.

What’s inside?

Survey results: See what your colleagues think about home working – the insights might surprise you
Top tips and guides: Practical advice to help you thrive wherever you work
Support tools: Everything you need to stay productive and well
National research: Links to interesting national research documents.

This page brings together all the best resources in one place, so you don’t have to hunt for answers. Whether you work remotely full-time, part-time or support others who do, this is your one-stop shop. Check it out here. Let’s make working from home, work for everyone.

Care for Armed Forces patients: Sessions are still available through December and January for NHS England’s 30-minute training to help staff provide the best care for Armed Forces patients. The programme equips busy teams with specialist insight, knowledge and resources to provide the best care possible to this patient group. It covers who the Armed Forces community are, the health inequalities they face and shares first-hand patient stories. Find out more and book here.

DSCR: Please be aware that the Derbyshire Shared Care Record (DSCR) will be unavailable from 6pm on Thursday 11 December for essential security upgrades. Downtime is expected to last up to eight hours, with the system available again by 8am on Friday 12 December. During this period all records, including ReSPECT plans, will be unavailable and the portal will display "portal unavailable." If you experience any issues outside of these times or require access support, please contact the DSCR Service Desk on 01246 512646 or CRHFT.DSCRServiceDesk@nhs.net.

Microsoft Teams phone - scheduled maintenance: There will be ongoing maintenance on the Microsoft Teams phones throughout December and January. During this time, there may be short-term loss of service. If you experience any ongoing issues, please email dchst.msteamsphonehelp@nhs.net.

Deaf and Disability Workshop (online): Some spaces are available for the Deaf and Disability Workshop, taking place on Wednesday 14 January 2026, 1-4 pm. The aim of the course is to assist staff in breaking down barriers and creating a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.

Understand ‘deaf’ and ‘disability’
Identify prejudice and stereotyping
Explore issues of discrimination and barriers to services
Identify communication
Medical and social models of disability and inclusive services
Differences between deaf (BSL), deafened, hard of hearing and deafblind people
Basic understanding of hearing aids/cochlear implants
Understanding communication techniques
British Sign Language (BSL) and Sign Support English (SSE).

Quality Conversations: As we approach December, we know this time of year can be challenging for many. Pressures around work, family, finances and the holiday season can have a real impact on our wellbeing- and it’s not always easy to talk about it.

Our ‘Having better mental health conversations’ training focuses on practical skills to help you:

Start meaningful conversations about wellbeing and mental health
Recognise when someone may be struggling
Respond in supportive and helpful ways.

You’ll learn mental health conversation skills that can make a difference both in your working life and beyond it. Whether you’re supporting colleagues, service users or loved ones, these tools can help you feel more confident and better prepared. You can book onto one of our December dates here.

The Hub plus newsletter: Click here to see the latest edition.

New Rybelsus formation: A new formulation of Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) is being introduced, indicated for type 2 diabetes, which poses a safety risk to patients due to a period where 2 different formulations will co-exist in the UK market. Click here to see the key messages for prescribers and those supporting patients with medicines administration.

Free developing healthcare talent programme – registration now open! Programme highlights:

16 weeks, eight online sessions (1.5 hours each, every two weeks)
Reflective activities and collaboration with practice partners
Early sessions: Communication and self-awareness
Later sessions: Teamwork, patient care and belonging

The sessions start Wednesday, 21 January 2026 and will occur fortnightly on Wednesdays, 10:00–11:30 AM. Book a call using this registration link.

For questions, please contact: DCHST.cpdfunding@nhs.net or emma.pipe@talentforcare.uk

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.

Clinical Apprenticeships: Closing Date 28 February 2026. If you wish to apply for the Nursing, or Allied Health Professional Apprenticeships due to start in Autumn 2026, the closing date for applications is 28 February 2026.

You can only apply if your manager has confirmed support
The link to apply is here
For more information check out our intranet page (you will need to be logged in) and go to the ‘Apprenticeship’ section.

This week’s leaders' and managers' update includes a new and improved format, which you can see here.

Contact the leadership development team with any queries.

Click here for the current wellbeing timetable for 2025, which runs until December 31.

Or 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.

Congratulations to the following teams on achieving their Quality Always Gold achievement via Earned Autonomy self-assessment process:

Snowdrop Ward
Belper South Dales MSK
North ISHS

Congratulations to Derby City wound care clinic, who were awarded the Quality and Safe Care Champion of the Month for the October 2025 panel by Quality Always and previous months’ winners.

Amy Shelton, who works in our rapid response team in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire, received a lovely surprise recently from a patient's family!

The relatives of a patient that Amy provided end of life care for visited Clay Cross Hospital to personally deliver flowers and a card to say thank you.

Amy has been with our rapid response team for two years since qualifying as a registered nurse - and she continues to make a real difference every day. She’s a valued member of our team and a real credit to DCHS.

#TeamDCHS

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