Welcome to our latest edition of My Download, your go-to round-up of all the latest news and updates. Got something to share with colleagues? The weekly deadline for contributions is now 5pm each Friday, as we issue the latest edition every Tuesday. We hope the revised schedule will make a more natural cut off point for submitting your news. To send us your news or for any queries please email: dchst.communications@nhs.net.

Temporary closure of Walton pharmacy: On Wednesday 25 March, Walton pharmacy will be closed for a half-day team training session. The dispensary's opening hours will be 9am-12pm and 4-5pm. 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.

National uniform distribution update: The rollout of the new national uniform is progressing well, with around one-third of orders already issued and full delivery expected shortly. While uniforms are being issued as originally ordered, we recognise some discrepancies and have received feedback on fabric quality and fit, which are being reviewed, with updates to follow. Support is available for significant fit concerns, and the uniform team are managing sizing queries and exchanges. We appreciate colleagues’ patience during this complex rollout and thank them for their understanding. Read the full update here.

Work experience – temporary pause: From 13 March 2026, we have paused all new work experience applications while we introduce a new management system, LeapHub.

Agreed placements will still go ahead
Applications submitted before 13 March are being reviewed
No new applications will be accepted during this pause.

LeapHub will streamline how placements are managed, with services creating placement opportunities that applicants can book on a first‑come, first‑served basis. The benefits are:

Simpler, automated process
Better planning and notice
Fair, consistent access for applicants
Services can add opportunities throughout the year
One online file containing all placement communication.

For queries, you can contact dchst.workexperience@nhs.net

Derby safeguarding adults board course (April to June): DSAB has released a new safeguarding adults course for training sessions running April - June, designed to build safeguarding knowledge and confidence. Training is not mandatory, but you're welcome to apply voluntarily to support your ongoing development. From January 2026, all DSAB courses use a new booking tool system, with step‑by‑step guidance included in the training prospectus, flyers, website training pages and booking instructions. For any queries, please email Safeguarding.Training@derby.gov.uk

Oliver McGowan Tier 1 and Tier 2: Please be reminded that staff should not book multiple places for any Oliver McGowan courses. Please could all staff who have multiple courses booked decide which session you are attending and remove your booking from all other courses. This will help staff who cannot currently get a space. Any further queries regarding this, please contact donna.wright3@nhs.net.

Research at DCHS: What to do when approached to participate in or share research? Please let the DCHS research and innovation team (research.enquiries@nhs.net)
know when you are presented with a research opportunity for NHS staff, patients
or your service. Click here for the full guidance details.

Save the date - Dying Matters Week: Dying Matters week will be here from 4 May. This year's event 'Let’s talk about Death and Dying' will take place on Thursday 7 May at the University of Derby - book your place here.

Volunteer's needed for MRI scans: The MRI team at Chesterfield Royal Hospital is looking for volunteers to undergo an MRI scan so they can test and optimise protocols on the new MRI scanner at Walton Hospital before they are used on patients. Please click here for more information and how to express your interest.

Two offers from Halfords: Offer one – Cycle2Work £50 gift card:
If you order a bike through Cycle2Work and redeem your letter of collection at Halfords before 10 April 2026, you’ll receive a £50 Halfords Gift Card. How it works:

Apply for Cycle2Work (details on the DCHS website)
Redeem your letter of collection at Halfords by 10 April 2026.
Collect your bike by 24 April 2026.
Your £50 gift card will be emailed within 10 days.

This gift card can be used online or in-store on cycling accessories, maintenance items and more.

Offer 2 – 10% In‑Store discount: A separate 10% discount voucher is available for all employees – you do not need to be in the Cycle2Work scheme.

You can also click here to see a list of other travel discounts here.

Understanding autism and neurodiversity - deepening quality conversations: From this session, delivered by neurodivergent trainers with years of lived and professional experience, you will:

Learn what autism and neurodiversity are and find out about the autism dialogue approach.
Be introduced to ways of talking and listening that help people feel understood and valued.
Identify small changes you can make to make your practice more autism‑friendly.
Feel confident using these ideas in different situations, whether you are with one person or a group.

Book a session here.

DCHS clinical supervision/reflection week: Sue Sheldon and Michelle Hoole are hosting a series of drop‑in events this week to help you learn more about clinical supervision and reflection, including how to record it. On Monday 13 April, you can drop in at Walton canteen between 12 – 4pm to speak to the team and ask questions.

On Wednesday 15 April, three online clinical supervision awareness sessions will run on MS Teams at 9am, 10am and 11am. These sessions are open to anyone wanting to understand clinical supervision, how to record it or how to become a supervisor.

A Clinical Supervisor training session will also take place on Wednesday 15 April, 1–4.30pm on MS Teams. Places can be booked on ESR or by emailing DCHST.ClinicalSupervision@nhs.net. And on Thursday 16 April, staff can drop into Ilkeston Community Hospital by the canteen between 10am – 1.30pm to learn more and ask questions. For further information, please contact: DCHST.ClinicalSupervision@nhs.net.

Educator, supervisor assessor event 23 and 24 April: The day is planned to celebrate our supervisors and assessors, as well as explore the educator workforce programme/strategy. The event will take place at the Post Mill Centre, South Normanton, from 9am. For more information please email lyndsey.beardsley@nhs.net

PURPOSE‑T Rollout – Training available: PURPOSE‑T will replace the Waterlow assessment tool as the trust’s pressure ulcer risk assessment framework in May 2026. To support this change, the tissue viability service is offering training from 1 April 2026.

An ESR e‑learning package will go live on 1 April and all patient‑facing staff are encouraged to complete it. Although the e‑learning is not required before attending a face‑to‑face session, it will provide helpful background knowledge. Face‑to‑face sessions will take place on:

2 April in Clay Cross
20 April in Cavendish
24 April in Ilkeston.

Each day will offer three drop‑in sessions running at 10am –11.30am, 12pm –1.30pm and 2pm – 3.30pm. Staff can attend at the start of any session. These sessions are not bookable via ESR, but attendance will be recorded and added to ESR afterwards.

Click here to see this week’s leaders' and managers' update. Contact the leadership development team with any queries.

Click here for the latest wellbeing timetable, running up to 31 March. The password is 'frost'.

Click here to see the latest wellbeing updates.

International Transgender Day of Visibility: On 31 March we celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility where we celebrate our transgender family, friends, colleagues and patients. We know that life is tough right now for people who are transgender and for the people who love them. We stand by you and will keep doing our best to support you and show our allyship.

For more information, including how to be a good ally or sources of support, colleagues can contact: dchst.lgbt@nhs.net or visit here.

Little Troopers: Next month 10 members of our Armed Forces network, along with some of their children, will take part in a 5km inflatable obstacle course at Elvaston Castle to raise money for Little Troopers, a charity supporting all children with one or both parents serving in our British Armed Forces. April is the Month of the Military Child, making it an especially meaningful time to support this charity. To donate visit here.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination took place on 21 March: As part of our planned activity to mark this, we’ve arranged some Active Bystander training sessions at Charnos Hall

Wednesday 27 May - afternoon
Tuesday 21 July - afternoon

Staff can book using this ESR link. Please note you will need to be logged into ESR to register.

Hybrid EDI event: The equality, diversity and inclusion team is hosting an event later in the year which aims to inspire collective and personal action by helping staff live DCHS values, listen to lived experiences, challenge inequality and take practical steps to create safer, more respectful and inclusive workplaces. To maximise attendance, the event will be hybrid. In‑person places are limited to 50, so colleagues are encouraged to join online where possible. You can book your place here. A joining link will be sent ahead of the day. If you’re unable to join virtually, please contact the EDI team at dchst.equality@nhs.net for support

Internal vacancies: To view all current vacancies in DCHS, please visit our vacancies page.

We want to wish Michelle Denyer, who works with us as a diabetes specialist nurse, a fond farewell and good luck with her retirement! Michelle will be finishing at the end of March after working in the NHS for almost 50 years.

She has dedicated her career to those living with diabetes, both adults and children, and has been a highly valued colleague and true font of knowledge within the team. She has always been generous with her expertise, taking the time to support others and share insight with clarity and patience.

Alongside this, she has brought genuine compassion to her work with patients, consistently going the extra mile to ensure they feel heard, supported and cared for. It’s no surprise that patients so often say “thank you for caring” - her commitment, kindness and professionalism have made a real and lasting difference, and she will be greatly missed. Thank you for your service and dedication, Michelle.

This week is Nutrition and Hydration Week, and we'd like to give a special shout out to colleagues across our integrated facilities management (IFM) teams.

At DCHS we are committed to maintaining high standards, and nutrition and hydration form part of safe and person-centred care. This was reflected in the results of the recently published 2025 Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE). Feedback from assessors across our community hospitals highlighted many positives including friendly and supportive staff, good food choices, clean and welcoming environments and well-maintained grounds.

Thank you all and well done!

#TeamDCHS #NutritionAndHydrationWeek

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