Recognition is about thanking people for their contribution at work. It is embedded in the organisational values of the NHS. By improving recognition we can deliver the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan’s ambition to attract and retain the workforce we need to deliver improved patient care.
One of the seven elements of the NHS People Promise is, ‘we are recognised and rewarded’. It defines recognition as:
“A simple thank you for our day-to-day work, formal recognition for our dedication…”
It is important that we recognise our staff because evidence shows that pay alone will not influence staff wellbeing, engagement, and retention in the long-term – praise and social approval have also proved to be critical factors (Bimpong et al 2019).
The NHS and wider health and care sector has faced unprecedented workforce shortages and pressures in recent years. Yet, the most recent NHS staff survey illustrates that approximately half of staff do not feel recognised at work.
NHS England has drawn on research and evidence and has worked with NHS organisations to develop this framework. It supports our colleagues and leaders in health and care to further their understanding of, and approaches to, staff recognition. It provides simple, easy-to-follow guidance and ideas for organisations to inform their own strategies and approaches.
Read framework
Date: 18 October