What's happened 

The Department of Health and Social Care has published the NHS Staff Standards, a new national framework designed to improve the experience of working in the NHS. 

Originally announced as part of the Government's 10-Year Health Plan, the standards set out the minimum employment standards NHS staff should expect, alongside the actions employers should take to support them. 

Two documents have been published – an overview of the standards and a detailed implementation guide for employers. 

The standards will apply across secondary care services, including acute, community, mental health and ambulance services, and have been developed in partnership with NHS England, NHS employers and trade unions. 

The framework focuses on areas NHS staff have consistently identified as most important, including: 

• supportive line management  

• health and wellbeing  

• preventing violence at work  

• sexual safety  

• tackling racism and discrimination  

• flexible working 

Martin Furlong, Deputy General Secretary of the Royal College of Podiatry, said: 

“Together with the other NHS unions we have been campaigning for more protection for NHS staff and we welcome the publication of these standards. Our members deserve to work in safe conditions and we will continue to put their safety and wellbeing first. 

“All too often we have had to support podiatrists where this hasn't been the case. These new standards will help us to improve the working lives of members in the NHS who deserve better.” 

Why this matters to members 

The standards set out what NHS staff should reasonably expect from their working environment and establish a consistent national approach for NHS employers. 

For members working in the NHS, they provide a clearer framework around issues such as wellbeing, workplace safety, equality, flexible working and the support they should receive from managers. 

The standards are intended to complement existing workforce policies and should be used by both employers and staff as they are implemented locally. 

What happens next 

The NHS Staff Standards will now be introduced locally through partnership working between NHS organisations, staff representatives and trade unions. 

Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the standards and discuss their implementation within their own organisations where appropriate. 

Links and references 

• GOV.UK: NHS Staff Standards