Issue 121  |  8 November 2024

Welcome to this week's Stakeholder Bulletin.

We aim to bring you key updates each week from the health and care system.

In this edition, find out about flu and Covid-19 vaccinations, think which service you need this winter, have your say, and find upcoming events of interest. 

Next week, as part of our Think Which Service campaign, we are encouraging patients to think about using NHS 111 for non-life-threatening medical issues. NHS 111 is available online or by phone, providing 24/7 support. Whether you need advice, want to speak to a healthcare professional, or require assistance with prescriptions, NHS 111 is here to guide you to the right care.

Garry Marsh has been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive, alongside his existing Executive Chief Nurse role at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton. 

Garry joined the Trust in 2022 after an extensive nursing and operational career across the Midlands - coming to UHDB from The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham where he had been Chief Nurse for seven years.

Garry will formally take up the Deputy CEO addition to his role from Friday November 1.

If you are a health and social care worker, getting vaccinated protects you and your patients. Health and social care workers are eligible for flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. If you cannot get a flu vaccine through your employer, you can get it at a pharmacy or your GP surgery if you’re employed:

• by a registered residential care or nursing home
• by a registered domiciliary care provider
• by a voluntary managed hospice provider
•  through direct payments or personal health budget

Mandy Simpson, Associate Director Immunisation & Screening NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board said: "Getting my flu and Covid-19 vaccines ensures that I can keep my colleagues, friends and loved ones protected this winter. It's important that we take up the offer of vaccinations if we are eligible. Let's work together to ease the strain on our services this winter."

This week was Ask Your Pharmacist Week which shines a spotlight on the many ways in which your local pharmacy can help. From colds to UTIs, pharmacists can offer expert advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses through the Pharmacy First scheme.

With extended hours and no appointment needed, pharmacies offer quick, professional care. Read a blog by Derbyshire Pharmacist, Shahzad Kahn, to learn about the services available and how your pharmacist can support you.

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board Deputy Chief Executive, Michelle Arrowsmith, visited a Chesterfield dental practice to discuss the challenges and opportunities of expanding dental provision in Derbyshire.

On her visit to Glumangate Dental Practice, she talked with staff including dentist and practice owner Dr Rami Khatib, who has been carrying out NHS work since he qualified in 2005.

Michelle said: “There are some real challenges for those dentists running a dental practice which delivers NHS care. But with this comes opportunity and locally we are implementing the national dental recovery plan to help alleviate some of the issues.”

East Midlands Ambulance Service are asking the public and our partners to only call 999 when life is on the line.

They have launched a campaign to remind everyone it is imperative ambulances are available for those who critically need the service's life-saving people and equipment.

Those with life-threatening conditions should call 999, while those with urgent care needs should access more appropriate services.

This may also include patients who need to attend the Emergency Department, but could safely make their own way without intervention from an ambulance.

East Midlands Ambulance Service will continue to support wider urgent and emergency care messaging this winter, such as signposting to NHS 111, sharing self-care and keeping well advice.

International Stress Awareness Week takes place 4-9 November. This year’s theme is on campaigning to reduce stress and improve wellbeing.

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has spoken with Derby Safe Haven, run by charity Waythrough (formerly known as Richmond Fellowship), who provide out-of-hours support on a self-referral basis every day between 4.30pm and 12.30am for anyone struggling and needing a friendly face. Lucy Jantschenko, Team Manager at Waythrough, shares tips on ways to better manage stress.

NHS staff are working harder than ever to get services back on track, to get waiting lists down and consistently deliver the best care.

Whether you have a little to say or a lot, your views, experiences and ideas will shape immediate steps and long-term changes: a new 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS.

This is a once in a generation opportunity to set the NHS on a path for the future. 

Go to change.nhs.uk to find out how you can take part.

Come along to the next Derbyshire Dialogue, Microsoft Teams on Monday November 11 at 1pm.

This session will focus on the Urgent Emergency Care (UEC) System and we will hear from Andrew Sidebotham, Associate Director for Urgent and Emergency Care.

We will give an overview of the Urgent and Emergency Care Services that are available, highlighting how we are working to deliver improvements in how we support people in our communities in accessing urgent care services more effectively, in the right place and at the right time. There will then be an opportunity to have a further discussion around it.

If you wish to subscribe to Derbyshire Dialogue emails, please email ddicb.engagement@nhs.net with 'Subscribe to Derbyshire Dialogue' in the subject line.

Book your place.

An information event is being hosted at Chesterfield’s Walton Hospital on Thursday November 28 to share plans and details of the new £5.2m community diagnostic centre, due to open in mid-2025.

The information event is open to all, 11am - 2pm on Thursday November 28, in the lobby of the hospital dining room. 

Carers Rights Day is about raising awareness of the rights the UK’s 5.7 million unpaid carers are entitled to, and to help them get the support they need and the recognition they deserve.

This year, Carers Rights Day is on Thursday November 21. This year’s theme is ‘recognising your rights’.

Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service will be hosting a number of information and support sessions where both carers and professionals can seek advice, training and one-to-one support from the experienced team.