- SERVICE PROVIDER
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
This is an organisation that runs the health and social care services we inspect
On 28 September 2018, we published an easy-to-read version of our report on community learning disability services at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Assessment report published 20 July 2026
Contents
Ratings - Community-based mental health services for adults of working age
Our view of the service
We carried out an inspection of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s (DHFT) community-based mental health services for adults of working age from 20 January to 29 January 2026.
The community-based mental health services for adults of working age form part of the trust’s mental health services in the community. This inspection was completed as part of CQC's Adult Community Mental Health Programme. We also inspected mental health crisis services and health-based places of safety as part of the programme. The programme of inspections contributes to CQC's commitment to inspect the standard of care in community mental health services across the country. We undertook a short notice announced, comprehensive inspection of this service, looking at all 5 key questions to assess if services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
DHFT is part of the Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care System (ICS). Its adult community mental health services provide care and treatment to almost 1.1 million people living in the local authorities of Derby and Derbyshire. DHFT covers a complex range of diversity. The population in Derby is more diverse than the national average with a higher proportion of people from an Asian or Asian British background when compared to the national average. Conversely, Derbyshire has a significantly lower proportion of people from non-white backgrounds in comparison to the national average. Derbyshire has a higher proportion of people aged 65 and over. Derby has a higher proportion of working age adults and children than the national average.
In the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), Derby is in the 40% most deprived local authorities nationally, compared to Derbyshire which is in the 40% least deprived areas of the country. Deprivation is linked with poorer health outcomes.The 2021 Health Index scores show that residents of Derbyshire experienced better health outcomes than the national average in 2015. In contrast, Derby local authority recorded poorer health outcomes in 2021 when compared to 2015. Life expectancy across both local authorities was similar to the national average. Emergency hospital admissions for self-harm were above the national average for both local authorities. Suicide rates from 2021 to 2023 were similar to the national average for both local authorities.
DHFT’s community-based mental health services for adults of working age include 10 community mental health teams (CMHTs) and 2 early intervention in psychosis (EIP) teams.
Across DHFT these are located at:
- Amber Valley CMHT
- Chesterfield CMHT
- Derby City CMHT
- North Dales CMHT
- South Dales CMHT
- Erewash CMHT
- High Peak CMHT
- Killamarsh CMHT
- Bolsover and Clay Cross CMHT
- South Derbyshire CMHT
- Derby City and South Derbyshire EIP
- North Derbyshire EIP
The trust’s mental health services are split into 2 programmes covering Derby and Derbyshire, reflecting the needs of people in each area.
During the inspection we visited 13 sites which included 9 CMHTs, 2 EIP teams and 2 medicines clinics.
At the time of our inspection, the trust was in the process of implementing changes to their community mental health services. In Derbyshire, the trust introduced ‘Living Well Derbyshire’ and implemented the ‘Derby Wellbeing programme’ in Derby. Both initiatives focused on achieving greater consistency in the quality of care provided, whilst recognising the needs and demographics of people who lived in each area.
During our last inspection of DHFT’s community based mental health treatment for adults of working age in November 2019, we rated it as requires improvement. We identified 5 breaches of the regulations in relation to management of waiting lists, clear treatment plans for people who used services, caseload management, fridge temperatures and availability of emergency medicines.
At this inspection, we did not identify any breaches of the regulations and identified improvements in caseload management and availability of emergency medicines.
People's experience of this service
We received mixed responses from people who used these services.
During our inspection we spoke to 16 people who used services and 7 carers. Most people gave positive feedback about strong therapeutic relationships and access to support. They also told us care was delivered flexibly to meet their needs. Feedback from local Healthwatch feedback included positive themes of consistent treatment and successful changes made by occupational therapy staff.
We observed 3 appointments and found staff to be kind, caring, professional and aware of each person’s treatment plan.
Between January 2025 to January 2026, the service received 481 compliments from people who used services, and their carers.
However, some feedback from local Healthwatch highlighted concerns with people’s ability to access community mental health support from community mental health teams (CMHT) when they needed it and a lack of updates about their treatment plan.
Some people told us about concerns with inconsistent physical health monitoring, awareness of complaints procedures and continuity of care.