Derbyshire Quality Conversations
Derbyshire's Quality Conversations approach helps staff to have kind, respectful, person‑centred conversations. It is part of the wider Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach used across Derby and Derbyshire.
The aim is simple, to make every conversation a good conversation, focused on what matters to the person.
Quality Conversations helps staff feel more confident when raising sensitive topics such as pregnancy planning, smoking, alcohol, or long‑term conditions. It is based on empathy, respect, active listening, and supporting small, achievable changes.
- asking open questions
- listening carefully
- spotting the right moments to talk about wellbeing
- supporting people to make simple, positive changes
It does not mean raising health topics in every conversation. It means noticing when someone might benefit from a gentle, supportive chat.
The programme offers free training and ongoing support for staff across Derby and Derbyshire in primary care, community services, social care, and voluntary sectors.
You can find out more through You can find out more through quality conversations at Joined Up Care Derbyshire.
Why this matters for preconception health
Including preconception health messages in routine appointments helps people understand the importance of:
- preparing for a healthy pregnancy
- actively preventing pregnancy if they are not ready
These conversations can happen anywhere, not just in clinical settings, for example:
- housing or financial wellbeing appointments
- social care visits
- dental check‑ups
- pharmacy consultations
Consistent messages shared by many services help make preconception health part of everyday health conversations.
Simple steps can help raise awareness:
- displaying posters and leaflets
- offering information in waiting rooms, reception areas, and community spaces
- including preconception information in routine service conversation
By building preconception health into existing services, we can:
- improve outcomes for parents and children
- reduce avoidable risks
- reduce health inequalities
- support healthier pregnancies
- create a healthier future generation
Promoting health equity
Health equity means making sure everyone has a fair chance to be as healthy as possible.
This is especially important before pregnancy because some groups, such as people on lower incomes or ethnic minority groups often have worse experiences and outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth.
To reduce these barriers, preconception information should be:
- available in plain language
- provided in different languages
- easy to access in community settings such as libraries, community centres, GP practices, and online
By making preconception care accessible and fair for everyone, we can help reduce health gaps and support healthier pregnancies and healthier futures for families across Derby and Derbyshire.