Published on: 5 August 2022

Derbyshire Healthcare have been shortlisted for an Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM) award in the ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ category for the Trust’s Making Room for Dignity programme.

The award recognises work that has made a genuine difference in equality, diversity, and inclusion within the healthcare environment.

Making Room for Dignity forms part of the nationally funded dormitory eradication programme from which the Trust has been allocated investment of £80m for the development of new mental health facilities across Derbyshire, which has been invested in:

  • Northern Derbyshire Adult Acute, Chesterfield Royal Hospital site (replacing the clinical areas of the Hartington Unit): 54-bed new build – a purpose-built facility for working age adults.
  • Southern Derbyshire Adult Acute, Kingsway Hospital: 54-bed new build – a purpose-built facility for males.

The Trust is also seeking additional funding to expand the Making Room for Dignity programme to include:

  • Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Kingsway Hospital: 14-bed new build for males  
  • Northern Derbyshire Older Adults, from the Hartington Unit, Chesterfield to Walton Hospital, also in Chesterfield: 12-bed relocation of older adults with a functional mental health issue
  • Radbourne Unit Adult Acute: 34-bed refurbishment for females
  • Acute Plus, Kingsway Hospital: 8-bed refurbishment of Audrey House for females

The programme’s ‘expert by experience’ project support officer, staff, service user/carer and peer support groups helped to directly influence the modelling of the services and the new facilities.

Staff were also asked to submit ideas for the programme name. The winning name, Making Room for Dignity, was then used on an accompanying logo designed by a former Trust service user.

Andy Harrison, Programme Director of Making Room for Dignity at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The team have championed diversity and inclusion from the offset with the involvement of patients, lived experience representatives, nurses, occupational therapists, estates colleagues, staff side reps, HR and Organisational Development workforce.

“The team are also committed to working with local providers to ensure inclusivity of the local community and their ideas, ensuring benefits continue to be offered.

“It this inclusive approach that will enable the successful delivering of our new hospitals, providing services and facilities that best meet the needs of our service users.”

A full list of shortlisted nominees for the IHEEM Awards 2022 can be found on the Healthcare Estates website. Winners are expected to be announced during a ceremony at The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester on 4 October 2022.