- SERVICE PROVIDER
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
This is an organisation that runs the health and social care services we inspect
Assessment report published 20 August 2025
Contents
Ratings - Wards for older people with mental health problems
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 17 to 18 June 2025.
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust provides services for older people with mental health problems for people in the north of Derbyshire at Walton Hospital on Snowdrop ward. Snowdrop ward is an 18-bed assessment and treatment ward for both men and women with acute organic illnesses, such as dementia, who require inpatient care, with all bedrooms offering single occupancy and en-suite bathrooms. The majority of people supported by the service are over the age of 65 years. Snowdrop Ward had not been previously inspected.
Older peoples’ services were last rated as Good (published September 2016). The report was published following the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) old inspection approach using key lines of enquiry (KLOEs), prompts, and ratings characteristics.
This assessment has been completed following the CQC new approach to assessment; Single Assessment Framework (SAF). This was an unannounced assessment, which means the provider was not told an assessment was going to be taking place beforehand. During this assessment, we looked at all quality statements across all 5 key questions. As we assessed all quality statements at this visit, the current rating reflects the findings from this assessment. We rated this service as Good.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 4 patients and 3 relatives. Patients expressed positivity about the quality of care and treatment they received. They felt safe, supported, and well cared for by staff, who were consistently described as kind, caring, and responsive. Staff were attentive to patients’ needs and engaged with them in a respectful and compassionate way, helping them to feel heard and valued throughout their treatment journey.
Patients and relatives told us staff were consistently available and responsive offering support, listening carefully, and responding promptly. Relatives and carers told us staff communicated well with them and kept them regularly updated about their loved ones’ care. They also noted that staff treated physical health needs with the same attention and importance as mental health.
Patients, and where appropriate, their families, were involved in developing care and risk management plans. A collaborative approach ensured that care was person-centred and tailored to individual needs, preferences, and circumstances.
Therapeutic activities were regularly offered and well-attended by patients, helping promote engagement and recovery. Patients reported these activities supported their recovery, provided daily structure, and offered meaningful engagement—contributing positively to their emotional well-being.
Patients were given regular opportunities to raise concerns and share feedback, helping them feel listened to and empowered. Patients told us the food was reported as high quality, with a wide variety of options available to suit individual preference and dietary requirements.