Guidance for NHS trusts on the NHS friends and family test
Guidance for NHS trusts on the NHS friends and family test has been published today by the Department of Health.
The guidance details the background, requirements and implications of putting into practice a national friends and family test within the NHS. It aims to support those who will be implementing this work.
Collection of the data for the test needs to be in place at the latest by April 2013 and covers all acute inpatient wards and all type 1 and 2 A&E departments.
From April 2013 patients will be asked a simple question to identify if they would recommend a particular A&E department or ward to their friends. The results of the test will be used to improve the experience of patients by providing timely feedback alongside other sources of patient feedback. It will highlight priorities for local action.
The NHS friends and family test was announced by the Prime Minister on 25 May 2012 .