Resource Library: Culture Development

This guide supports a conversation between managers about whether a staff member involved in a patient safety incident requires specific individual support or intervention to work safely.

• it asks a series of questions that help clarify whether there truly is something specific about an individual that needs support or management versus whether the issue is wider, in which case singling out the individual is often unfair and counter-productive
• it helps reduce the role of unconscious bias when making decisions and will help ensure all individuals are consistently treated equally and fairly no matter what their staff group, profession or background. This has similarities with the approach being taken by a number of NHS trusts to reduce disproportionate disciplinary action against black and minority ethnic staff.

NHS England » A just culture guide

If you are a leader keen to create a psychologically safe working environment for all of your staff, we have developed an inclusive leadership pledge, with nine behaviours you can adopt to model inclusive leadership. 

Sign and share the pledge now to demonstrate your commitment to modelling inclusive leadership.

Inclusive leadership pledge | NHS Confederation

In 2016, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust began to implement a ‘just and learning culture’ within their organisation. The culture fundamentally changed the way it responded to incidents, patient harm, and complaints against staff. After seeing the benefits in their own organisation, the trust partnered with Northumbria University to create a just and restorative learning training package for other organisations to follow.

Implementing a just and learning culture | NHS Employers

Explore the CIPD’s point of view on organisational culture, including recommendations for employers.

A positive organisational culture allows employees to understand their organisation and feel that their voice matters in driving the business towards a common purpose. Continually evaluating culture is important because having shared, clearly defined values will influence the standard of an organisation’s customer service, as well as the satisfaction and retention of its people.

Organisational culture | CIPD

This is a promise we must all make to each other – to work together to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone.

The themes and words that make up Our People Promise have come from those who work in the NHS. People in different healthcare roles and organisations have made it clear what matters most to them, and what would make the greatest difference in improving their experience in the workplace. This is what we should all be able to say about working in the NHS, by 2024.

NHS England » Our NHS People Promise

The new plan outlines the Professional Standards Authority’s objectives for the next three years.

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has developed the plan based on responses to the proposals made following a consultation which ran from December 2022 to February 2023.

PSA publishes strategic plan | NHS Employers

Since the publication of the guide, we have received feedback from members that building the right culture and creating strong relationships can sometimes be difficult to achieve but present new opportunities if done well. That is why we have created a resource prompt thinking and provide tools to create a better culture.  

The six ways were drawn from systems currently planning and developing integrated working and collated by NHS Employers and Skills for Care (SfC). 

Six ways to create a culture for integration   | NHS Employers

This guest blog has been written Paul Deemer, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at NHS Employers, a sponsor of this year’s National Inclusion Week.

By sharing the NHS’s inclusion empowerment strategies, Paul offers inspiration and advice around taking action and making an impact.

Staff networks: How the NHS empowers employee inclusion - Inclusive Employers

One of the four key purposes of integrated care systems (ICSs) is to help the NHS support broader social and economic development. For many people working in local areas – in the NHS, local government, VCSE sector, business, academia and finance – this objective presents an exciting opportunity to change how we work together, and with people and communities, to create a positive and lasting impact on people’s lives.

While there is enthusiasm about the possibilities, there is currently a lack of practical support and guidance about how ICSs can approach this purpose in practice, and what could help partners make progress. Until now.

Systems for change: Driving social and economic development | NHS Confederation

We have listened to the experiences of those who face exclusion and marginalisation, and we know that there is much more to do. We need the NHS to be a place where all are welcome, with a culture of belonging and trust, celebrating diversity in all its forms. We know discrimination, violence and bullying has no place in the NHS, and yet they exist in some places.

If we do not role model this culture ourselves, how can our patients expect to be treated equitably, and as individuals?

The evidence suggests that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on:

• our ethnic minority colleagues, families and friends
• older people
• men
• those with obesity
• those with a disability or long-term condition
• members of the LGBT+ community

We want to support colleagues ongoing development of their knowledge, skills and behaviours that will create and sustain our culture of compassion and inclusion. Our teams and organisations, particularly the senior leadership of the NHS, should actively reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

NHS England » We are compassionate and inclusive

The UK’s health and care system is at a moment of national crisis. It is grappling with persistent health inequalities, over-stretched services and an exhausted workforce.

Systems Go! | Free Course | The King's Fund

Ever wondered how the NHS is structured in England? Interested in the impact of the new government on the health and social care system? Seeking to find out more about health inequalities and their effect on society? Join us virtually over two days as policy and leadership experts from The King’s Fund unravel the complexities and challenges of England’s health care system, offering context, sensemaking and expert perspectives. From integrated care systems and social care reform to workforce challenges and primary care, gain balanced and honest perspectives on the pressures and opportunities facing our complex health care sector.

Health and care explained 2025 (Virtual event) Registration, Tue 4 Feb 2025 at 10:00 | Eventbrite