Ilkeston Hospital provides general rehabilitation, end of life care and post-operative rehabilitation for adults following discharge from acute hospitals or from home. There are two 22 bedded inpatient wards, Hopewell and Heanor. Elective care services are provided at the Diagnostic and Treatment Centre.

Systems were in place to keep patients safe. Staff were confident about reporting serious incidents and poor practice. Learning took place as a result of serious incidents, and staff described changes that had come about following a significant medicines incident. Patients were assessed on admission and risk identified and managed appropriately, although some records were not accurately completed.

Although care delivery was predominantly nurse led, we saw effective collaboration and communication amongst all members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to support the planning and delivery of patient centred care. There was a good staff mix of skill and experience. In the diagnostic and treatment centre there was a clinical practice facilitator, who supported staff with learning and development and provided monthly supervision.

Patients and their relatives were positive about the care and treatment they had received. Patients and relatives were treated with dignity and respect, and involved in making decisions about their care and the support needed.

We found the organisation actively sought the views of patients and families. People from all communities could access services and effective multidisciplinary team working ensured people were provided with care that met their needs, at the right time.

Staff were aware of the Trust’s vision, the ‘DCHS Way’. There was good communication within teams. Most staff we spoke with felt well supported at a local level. They felt they could raise any concerns and were confident they would be listened to.