University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) emerged from the merger of Derby Teaching Hospitals and Burton Hospitals in July 2018, creating one of England's largest acute hospital trusts. With approximately 12,000 staff members working across five hospital sites, the trust delivers comprehensive healthcare services to communities throughout Southern Derbyshire and South-East Staffordshire. This substantial organisation manages an annual budget exceeding £700 million whilst maintaining focus on their core mission: providing outstanding healthcare that makes a genuine difference to patients' lives.
Royal Derby Hospital stands as the trust's flagship facility, a modern teaching hospital serving as the major trauma centre for the East Midlands. Built through a Private Finance Initiative at a cost of £340 million, this state-of-the-art facility houses specialist services including neurosurgery, complex cancer treatments, and neonatal intensive care. The hospital's emergency department handles over 130,000 attendances annually, with dedicated paediatric emergency facilities ensuring children receive age-appropriate care in specially designed environments. As a university teaching hospital, it plays a crucial role in training the next generation of healthcare professionals whilst pioneering new treatments and approaches to patient care.
Queen's Hospital in Burton-upon-Trent serves as the trust's second major acute facility, providing comprehensive services to East Staffordshire communities. This hospital has undergone significant investment in recent years, with upgraded facilities enhancing patient experience whilst maintaining the institution's century-long tradition of caring for local residents. The integration with Derby has brought benefits including shared expertise, streamlined pathways for complex cases, and improved access to specialist services that smaller hospitals struggle to maintain independently.
Community hospitals within the trust's portfolio extend care closer to patients' homes, reducing travel burdens for routine treatments and follow-up appointments. Florence Nightingale Community Hospital in Derby specialises in rehabilitation and step-down care, helping patients transition from acute hospital stays back to independent living. Samuel Johnson Community Hospital in Lichfield and Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital in Tamworth provide similar services to their local populations, offering outpatient clinics, diagnostic services, and day surgery procedures that once required trips to major hospitals.
Clinical excellence drives the trust's approach to healthcare delivery, with numerous services recognised nationally for outstanding performance. Their stroke services consistently achieve top ratings for rapid treatment and patient outcomes, whilst cancer services provide cutting-edge treatments including robotic surgery and advanced radiotherapy techniques. The trust's maternity services deliver over 10,000 babies annually across their sites, with specialist neonatal units providing intensive care for premature and sick newborns. Mental health liaison teams work within acute hospitals to support patients experiencing psychological distress alongside physical health problems.
Research and innovation form integral parts of the trust's activities, with active participation in clinical trials offering patients access to novel treatments before widespread availability. Partnerships with universities and pharmaceutical companies drive advances in areas including diabetes care, respiratory medicine, and surgical techniques. The trust's research teams have contributed to breakthrough studies in Covid-19 treatments, long-term condition management, and diagnostic technologies. This commitment to advancing medical knowledge directly benefits patients through improved treatments and care pathways based on latest evidence.
Workforce development remains a key priority, recognising that excellent healthcare depends on skilled, motivated staff. The trust operates comprehensive training programmes from apprenticeships through to consultant development, creating career pathways that retain talent within the organisation. Recent initiatives include international recruitment drives addressing nursing shortages, wellbeing programmes supporting staff mental health, and leadership development preparing future clinical leaders. Recognition schemes celebrate exceptional contributions, with stories like newly qualified nurse Agata Chirek, praised as a "guardian angel" by families, highlighting the compassionate care that defines the trust's culture.
Patient engagement shapes service development throughout the organisation, with various mechanisms ensuring user voices influence decision-making. The Council of Governors includes elected public representatives who scrutinise trust performance and contribute to strategic planning. Regular "big conversation" events invite community members to share experiences and priorities, directly influencing service improvements. Patient feedback, whether through formal surveys or informal channels, drives continuous improvement efforts that enhance care quality and experience.
Digital transformation programmes modernise healthcare delivery whilst maintaining the human touch patients value. Electronic patient records improve care coordination, reducing errors and duplication whilst enabling clinicians to access complete medical histories instantly. Patient portals allow appointment booking, test result viewing, and secure messaging with healthcare teams, increasing convenience whilst reducing administrative burden. Telemedicine services, expanded during the pandemic, continue providing remote consultations where appropriate, particularly benefiting patients in rural areas or with mobility challenges.
Quality improvement initiatives permeate the organisation, with systematic approaches to enhancing safety, effectiveness, and patient experience. Recent Care Quality Commission inspections rated many services as "Good," whilst identifying areas for continued development. The trust's openness about improvement needs demonstrates commitment to transparency and continuous enhancement. Quality improvement projects range from reducing infection rates through enhanced cleaning protocols to streamlining emergency pathways that speed up treatment for critically ill patients.
Financial sustainability challenges facing the NHS require innovative approaches to maintain service quality whilst managing resources effectively. The trust works closely with health system partners to integrate care pathways, reduce duplication, and focus resources where they deliver maximum benefit. Initiatives include working with primary care to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, partnering with social care to facilitate timely discharges, and investing in community services that support people at home. These efforts recognise that best healthcare outcomes often come from preventing illness and supporting wellbeing, not just treating disease.
Community partnerships extend the trust's impact beyond hospital walls, with initiatives addressing wider determinants of health. Collaborations with local authorities tackle issues including homelessness, substance misuse, and domestic violence that significantly impact health outcomes. The Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity funds additional equipment, research, and comfort improvements that enhance patient experience beyond what NHS budgets allow. Annual awards ceremonies celebrate staff excellence whilst recognising patient heroes who inspire through their courage and determination. Looking forward, the trust continues evolving to meet changing healthcare needs, from addressing growing demands of ageing populations to harnessing technological advances that transform care delivery, always maintaining focus on their fundamental purpose: helping people live healthier, happier lives through exceptional healthcare.
