Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust creates over 100 new jobs to boost patient care

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust has announced it has created over 100 new jobs to boost patient care and support in the community. A national recruitment campaign for the new posts which include nurses, therapists and health care assistants, has started in order to fill the positions ahead of the winter.

Tracy Allen, Chief Executive of Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, said: “Providing care closer to home is the direction we need to be moving towards, working more with GPs and others. There has never been a better time to be involved in community services because this is where the future is and the new posts available will really help make a difference this coming winter to the level of care we are able to provide. We are absolutely committed to providing fantastic care, in a fantastic place and with fantastic people.”

Claire Osborne

The Trust is looking for experienced nurses looking for a new challenge, or those wishing to develop their skills and experience. There are also a number of positions available for health care assistants, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.  

A film has been produced to help promote the recruitment drive and it features people already working within the community. One of those people is Claire Osborne, who lives in Riddings, Alfreton, Derbyshire. Married with two teenage girls, Claire has been a community nurse for 18 months.

Previously she was a theatre practitioner (with DCHS), but she has always had a passion for working in the community so decided to make the move to becoming a community nurse.

Claire said: “Working for DCHS is very rewarding. I have received first class training and I get great support from everyone I work with. This really helps me provide our patients with the care I would want for my own family, which I find very humbling.”

The recruitment drive follows agreement with Derbyshire’s new healthcare commissioning bodies, the Clinical Commissioning Groups, and with Derbyshire County Council to move towards greater community-based care for Derbyshire’s patients. Funding from the Clinical Commissioning Groups has been provided for the new posts. 

Tracy Allen continued: “We decided to take our campaign national, making the most of social media networks because of the range of posts available. We have created a film and website specifically for the campaign which went live on Friday. Last week we also held our first of four planned open days for people interested in working here and almost 500 people attended.”