This is an exciting time to come and work for us. Make a positive difference by joining Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, becoming a part of our pioneering Making Room for Dignity healthcare facilities. Be part of this journey and help us shape how we deliver mental health services in the future.
Therapeutic-based care at the heart of recovery
Sensory environments and increased access to outdoor space are just two of the ways therapeutic care is being placed at the heart of our new facilities.
“Our new facilities will ensure therapeutic activity begins from the moment someone is admitted,” said Becki Priest (pictured), Clinical Lead for the programme and Chief Allied Health Professional for the Trust.
“This will be possible because service users in the six new and refurbished facilities will not only have their own single, en-suite bedroom, but control of their environment.”
Becki added: “Service users can adjust their room temperature – literally cooling down if that helps them regulate their emotions, or creating a warm space if this provides a feeling of reassurance – as well as controlling lighting and sound. The use of sensory profiling at the point of admission will enable people to make the most of this innovation.”
But single rooms are just part of the story, and therapeutic activity will play a pivotal role in the new facilities.
“The link between engaging in meaningful activity and recovery from mental ill health is well established. Our new facilities will provide more space for occupational therapy activities on the wards, resulting in a better-quality experience for our service users.”
And the transformation has already begun.
Occupational therapist Millie Jepson (pictured), currently based at the Hartington Unit in Chesterfield, has already started making changes ahead of the move to the new 54-bedroom Derwent Unit in 2025.
Millie said: “The new facilities will totally change our approach, taking activities directly to breakout spaces on the wards, enabling more service users to get involved. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop so we have started putting changes into practice where we can.
“We have been doing more activities on the wards, and have mindfulness activities in the dining room.”
Millie welcomes the privacy the new bedrooms will bring but stresses that social inclusion will remain a key part of patient care.
She said: “Single bedrooms will allow people the space to decompress. However, we will work hard to ensure they don’t get into the habit of shutting themselves away, and will encourage participation in occupational therapy activities.”
The new facilities provide greater access to outdoor and green spaces, with exercise areas and outdoor sensory spaces accessed directly from the wards – even on the upper floors of the Derwent Unit in Chesterfield and Carsington Unit in Derby, which will have secure sky gardens.
Millie added: “There will be so many more opportunities to get outside into the fresh air, which is so important for our wellbeing. Crucially, service users can do this without seeking permission from a staff member, giving them more independence and choice.
“Ultimately, our new facilities are all about providing choice. Service users will be able to choose how they go on their journey to get better.”
The facilities will be an improved working environment, too.
Millie said: “As part of our overall sensory model, there will be no more noisy alarms to alert staff to an incident. These cause stress for all service users and all staff, so we are switching to silent vibrating alarms. This will enable incidents to be dealt with calmly and without spreading unrest.
“All of our staff here are very compassionate and want people to get better. Crucially, people need to want to get better, too, and the new facilities will go a long way towards empowering our service users to feel that way.”
Thank you for your interest in working for Derbyshire Healthcare
Our Trust vision is to make a positive difference to our patients, service users, carers, and our colleagues’ lives. That positive difference is due to the committed, professional and enthusiastic people we recruit to be part of our team. We offer a friendly, welcoming and inclusive working environment which embraces shared-decision making with colleagues, ensuring our values are the heart of everything we do.
We are a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that prides itself on it’s ‘people first’ approach to care, and actively embraces diversity.
Why join Derbyshire Healthcare?
Watch the video below to see what a range of staff have to say about being part of Team Derbyshire Healthcare.
What is Making Room for Dignity?
Watch the highlights from the ground-breaking ceremonies as we start to build our new mental health hospital facilities
Hayley's story
Hayley spent 20 years in the British Army; 16 years as a frontline medic and latterly as a mental health nurse. During her resettlement period in 2023, she attended a jobs fair held by Derbyshire Healthcare.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’d hoped to gain some insight into what sort of jobs were available and what qualifications and experience the Trust was looking for.
“I spent some time wandering around the different team tables to gather information about roles I may be interested in, then returned those which had sparked my interest.”
At the fair Hayley attended, job interviews were offered on the day – and, due to her experience and qualifications, Hayley was offered more than one position.
“I was over the moon and it boosted my confidence in my future transition away from the Army.”
Hayley accepted as a Band 6 clinical nurse educator at the Psychiatric Teaching Unit, joining the Trust in April 2024.
“I couldn’t be happier. The team welcomed me with open arms, they are incredibly supportive, and I am really enjoying all elements of the job.
“I have also taken on the role of vice chair of the Armed Forces Network, after contacting the chair for some support with my transition. Again, I am thoroughly enjoying this additional role and find it very rewarding.
“I am very grateful to be part of such an incredible trust and thankful for the opportunities the jobs fair brought me to set me off on my new career.”
Lucy's story
Lucy studied Occupational Therapy at Sheffield Hallam University. Just before graduating, she attended an Occupational Therapy recruitment event held by Derbyshire Healthcare in Bakewell.
“My first university placement within paediatrics and I was dead set on working with children. I hadn’t really considered working in mental health but the university like you to do one of your placements within the field, so my second placement was at the Hartington Unit, a mental health inpatient unit for adults.
"I was a bit daunted to be honest and didn't think I'd enjoy it."
“It can feel really daunting going into a mental health ward as a student and not knowing what to do to help people. But my placement taught me that I can actually help. I can make this person’s experience better. I know they are scared and vulnerable but I can help them.
“I very quickly realised how much of a difference I could make – and I loved it.”
Lucy heard about the Occupational Therapy recruitment day and that there would be interviews on the day so she decided to attend.
"I thought if nothing else I’d get some good interview experience and learn what I can do in the future to get a job. Then I was offered a job there and then which was fantastic."
While waiting for the occupational therapy post to begin, Lucy has been working for the Trust as a bank (casual) receptionist.
“It’s been amazing that everyone’s been so supportive. One thing I love about this Trust is how you feel supported in your role, and always have someone mentoring you and you never feel like you’re on your own.
"I felt the same on my placement at the Hartington Unit, and I’m confident it will be the same as when I'm an occupational therapist because everyone is working together to try their best to help people. It gives you a special bond.”
Isabel's story
After working in the private care industry for many years, Isabel joined Derbyshire Healthcare as a healthcare assistant in 2024 and says she finally feels she has found her home.
“Working for Derbyshire Healthcare has been one of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to me. Here at Derbyshire Healthcare, I am supported and have opportunities to grow and progress. I’ve grown in confidence and have learned a lot through training and from my colleagues. I am hoping to start a nursing apprenticeship soon, and finally feel I have a career for life.”
“Right now I feel I am in the right place, in the right frame of mind, doing the right job.”
What is Making Room for Dignity?
In 2020 the Government pledged more than £400 million to eradicate dormitory accommodation from mental health facilities across the country to improve safety, privacy and dignity of patients experiencing mental illness. Significant national and local investment of more than £100m has been allocated for the development of new facilities across Derbyshire which we have invested in new hospitals.
We are currently building three brand new pioneering mental health facilities in Derby and Chesterfield.
On the Kingsway Hospital site, Derby, just outside the city centre, the Carsington Unit will provide inpatient care for adults of working age. The adjoining Kingfisher House will become a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit. In the north of the county, on the Chesterfield Royal Hospital site, the new Derwent Unit will provide inpatient care for adults of working age. The facilities are planned to be completed and opened in 2025.
In addition to this we have refurbished a ward at the the Walton Hospital Site in Chesterfield for our older adult patients. This is now called Bluebell Ward and is due to open in winter 20204.
Finally, refurbishment is ongoing at the Radbourne Unit on the Royal Derby Hospital site, just outside Derby city centre, creating new mental health facilities for our inpatients of working age.