- 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 March 2026
Contents
Ratings - Community health inpatient services
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 10 November 2025 to 9 January 2026.
Derbyshire Community Health Service (DCHS) provides community inpatient services for the population of Derbyshire. The majority of patients are admitted from one of the surrounding acute hospitals with a smaller number of patients being admitted straight from their own homes via their GPs. Inpatient services are provided at Cavendish hospital, Clay Cross hospital, Ilkeston hospital, Ripley hospital, St Oswalds hospital, and Whitworth hospital. Services provided to patients admitted into these hospitals include rehabilitation, nursing, and medical care for patients with long term conditions and end of life care. During our announced inspection we visited Fenton ward at Cavendish hospital, Alton ward at Clay Cross hospital, Heanor ward at Ilkeston hospital, Butterley ward at Ripley hospital and Okeover ward at St Oswalds and Oker ward at Whitworth hospital. The wards are all nurse led with input from rehabilitation specialists including physiotherapists, occupational therapists (OTs), and healthcare assistants. Medical input is either reliant on visiting GPs at some locations or provided by DCHS employed doctors. Out of hour’s medical cover was provided by the local out of hour’s service, which all wards had a direct contact number for.
The service had a good learning culture and patients could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. Patients were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. The facilities and equipment met the needs of people, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications, and experience. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well and involved patients in planning any changes.
Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. Staff made sure patients understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff involved those important to patients to ensure decisions were made in people’s best interest where they did not have capacity.
They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. Patients had choice in their care and treatment. The service supported staff wellbeing.
Patients were involved in decisions about their care. The service provided information patients could understand. Patients knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. Patients received fair and equal care and treatment. The service worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. Patients were involved in planning their care and understood the options when choosing to withdraw or not receive care.
Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning, and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable, and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement with staff given time and resources to try new ideas.
Whilst staff involved patients when assessing their needs care plans did not always provide sufficient guidance for staff. Important information was sometimes fragmented across multiple entries and generic templates. This made it more difficult for staff to locate essential details quickly, increasing the risk of inconsistent or unsafe care.
Patients were generally treated respectfully, but there were occasions where privacy and dignity could have been better maintained.
People's experience of this service
Patients consistently reported positive experiences of care and treatment across all six inpatient wards. Feedback from patients and relatives showed high levels of satisfaction with the service. Patients said they felt safe, well cared for, and supported by staff.
The trust’s patient experience team undertook quarterly ‘Worry Catcher’ sessions across all inpatient wards. Staff gave patients, families, and carers a safe and confidential opportunity to raise worries or concerns about care or discharges that they may not feel comfortable discussing directly with ward staff. The team listened compassionately, offered support and representation, and helped resolve concerns promptly to improve people’s experiences. Analysis of the most recent ‘Worry Catcher’ sessions across all six wards showed patients felt satisfied with the service and believed staff listened to their views.
We spoke with patients and relatives across all six wards. Patients described staff as friendly, kind, and helpful, and said staff treated them with dignity and respect. Patients felt staff responded promptly when they requested assistance and felt confident staff would take any concerns seriously and address them appropriately.
Patients said staff listened to them and valued their views, including those who needed additional time or support to communicate. Staff gave patients sufficient time to express their needs and supported inclusive, person-centred communication.
Patients said staff involved them in discussions about their care and treatment. Many patients explained their care plans clearly and described how staff involved them in planning for discharge. Patients felt confident asking questions and said staff provided information in a way they could understand.
Some patients showed a good understanding of their medicines and why they received them. Others felt satisfied for healthcare professionals to manage their medicines and expressed confidence in the safety of medication administration.
Overall, patients described positive experiences of care and treatment, and we identified no concerns.