Primary Care People Promise

What is the NHS People Promise?

The NHS People Promise is a national initiative that is aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan, the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, the NHS People Plan 2020/2021 and the Lincolnshire Primary Care People Plan.  The People Promise comprises of seven elements which are illustrated in the graphic below:

More information about the NHS People Promise can be found here: NHS England » Our NHS People Promise

Watch TV Doctor Dr Amir Khan and NHS staff working in a broad range of roles across the country explain the NHS People Promise:

 Our NHS People Promise (Full length, BSL) - YouTube

The seven elements and wording of the People Promise have come from national staff engagement activities where staff working in various healthcare roles, in a range of healthcare settings, identified the things that matter to them most in improving their experiences in the work that they do. 

The NHS People Promise is also aligned to the NHS Staff Survey and the NHS General Practice Staff Survey (GPSS) as a means of measuring how staff experience impacts on their working lives.  All staff employed by the NHS are invited to take part in the annual staff survey. 

In order to deliver on the NHS People Promise Plan, NHS England have commissioned People Promise Managers in NHS organisations throughout the UK. Lincolnshire Primary Care have been successful in becoming part of the NHS People Promise Exemplar Programme – Cohort two. We have two newly appointed People Promise Managers in post, on a job share basis, delivering on a staff engagement focused NHS People Promise Action Plan. This NHS People Promise Action Plan will work alongside the Lincolnshire Primary Care Attraction, Recruitment and Retention Strategy. 

Our People Promise Activities to Date:

Since March 2024, we have implemented and are continuing to develop a broad range of targeted initiatives and measures to help embed the NHS People Promise across Lincolnshire Primary Care. Further details of our activities to date can be found below.

People Promise Trailblazer Programme: 

We have developed an innovative People Promise Trailblazer Programme as a Lincolnshire pilot to help practices and PCNs embed the People Promise values in their organisation as a means of improving staff morale and retention. As part of this pilot programme, we are working closely with a number of self-selected practices and PCNs across Lincolnshire. Cohort 1 of the programme launched in August 2024, with cohort 2 scheduled to follow in February 2025.

The programme includes:

A F2F teambuilding session at the practice or PCN incorporating reflective practice, a relook at team purpose and wellbeing

An accompanying resource bundle including standardised appraisal documentation, stay conversation, itchy feet conversation and wellbeing conversation guides, templates and action plans, a Kindness, Civility and Respect toolkit for managers and leaders, menopause support and guidance for employers and employees, information on flexible working options including a case study, information on leadership courses, including compassionate leadership training for current and aspiring leaders and managers and a welcome pack for international Primary Care staff.

Online support sessions for Practice/PCN Business Managers to help them implement the resources in their organisation

Option to become an NHS People Promise Bronze, Silver or Gold accredited practice with a digital badge that can be used as a recruitment tool

As well as assisting with recruitment and retention, the People Promise Trailblazer programme will help practices comply with QOF, CQC requirements and the ICB Service Level Framework.

If your practice or PCN would be interested in getting involved in Cohort 2 of the People Promise Trailblazer programme, or would like to find out more, please contact Helen or Ruth.

Primary Care People Group Stakeholder Engagement Group: 

We have recently launched a Primary Care People Group Stakeholder Engagement Group to provide Primary Care staff working in all roles and at all levels with a voice. This group meets bi-monthly via MS Teams to discuss current challenges faced by Primary Care and suggestions for improvement.

The group is very informal and action-driven. Actions to have arisen from this group since its inception in July include the development of an anti-abuse support package (further details below), distribution of standardised job templates with practices and PCNs to support with recruitment, and sharing of best practice between practices/PCNs across the county.

Meetings typically take place on the third Thursday of every other month, 9.30am-11am via Teams. If you would like to join the group, please contact Helen and Ruth.

Pastoral Support Offers for International Staff: 

International Virtual Café:

Our International Virtual Café takes place on the second Thursday of each month. These informal sessions are open to all international members of Primary Care staff and provide a friendly space to chat, network, ask questions and seek any support needed. For further information and the Teams link, please contact Ruth via the email address above.

International Staff Buddy Scheme:

The International Staff Buddy Scheme matches international members of Primary Care staff new to the UK or Lincolnshire with a friendly buddy who can offer a warm welcome and friendly information and advice. To sign up, go to: https://forms.office.com/e/pX4V9BW3Kf

WhatsApp group:

We have created an international staff WhatsApp group for peer support and networking. To join, please contact Ruth via the email address via the email address above.

System-wide F2F social events:

System-wide F2F social events are being piloted for international staff and their families. The first event will take place on Saturday 9^th November 2pm-4pm at the Sudbrooke Road Community Centre in Lincoln, LN2 2EF. Come along for games, chat and hot drinks. To register your interest, contact lhnt.lincolnshirepeoplehub@nhs.net

Violence and Aggression Reduction Support Package: 

In response to need identified at our Primary Care People Group Stakeholder Engagement Group and during conversations with our People Promise Trailblazer practices and PCNs, we are currently developing an Violence and Aggression Reduction support package to support Primary Care staff in dealing with increasing levels of abuse from patients. This package will include:

• Funded wellbeing webinars and accompanying resource booklets for receptionists
• Online forum for receptionists
• Receptionist representation at the PCPG Stakeholder Engagement Group
• Anti-abuse posters/banners
• Warning letter templates
• Patient behaviour contract

Once finalised, the package will be shared with Practice and PCN Business Managers.

Case Studies: 

We have recorded a video case study with the HR Officer for the Welby Group highlighting how flexible working can be successfully implemented in Primary Care. This video can be found under We Work Flexibly in the resource library below.

We are also planning a video case study highlighting how effective employer support can help and ultimately retain employees going through the menopause or peri-menopause.

Primary Care Valuing Event: 

We know that feeling valued in your role can have a huge impact on staff morale and retention. We are pleased to announce that funding has been secured for a Primary Care Valuing Event to take place in March 2025. The planned themes for the event will include health and wellbeing and equality, diversity and inclusion. The event will also include an awards ceremony covering individual and team awards, as well as long-service awards. Watch this space for further details!

Creation of a People Promise Library of Resources:

We have developed a library of resources to help practices and PCNs embed the People Promise values within their own organisation. This resource library can be found below.

Have Your Say -

The People Promise is all about you. We would love to hear your thoughts on how you would like to see the People Promise embedded into Lincolnshire Primary Care. To learn more about your People Promise managers  - Meet our People Promise Managers :: Lincolnshire One Workforce (oneworkforcelincs.co.uk)

Please contact us by email: Helen.ashwell2@nhs.net or Ruth.pollock@nhs.net

People Promise Resources

This section of the NHS People Promise page aims to provide a library of resources for managers and staff looking to implement different elements of the People Promise within their own practice or PCN. This library of resources is being added to continuously.