In the wake of a report into failings at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, nurses are to be asked to give feedback about the performance of their colleagues and seniors to contribute to appraisals.

As part of a series of initiatives announced to improve nursing care quality, NHS England Chief Nursing Officer Jane Cummins announced plans for work on workforce planning, education, leadership and staff satisfaction.

They are intended to implement proposals in her strategy, Compassion in Practice, published last year.

One proposal is the introduction of 360 degree appraisals following recommendations in the public inquiry report into the trust. It called for common standards to be developed for nurse appraisals, including 360-degree anonymous appraisal by colleagues and feedback from patients.

NHS England Director Nursing for Quality Improvement and Care, Juliet Beal, is reported as saying it planned to implement the recommendation in full.

Commissioners are likely to include the requirement for 360-degree appraisals in their contracts with providers from April next year, she said.

According to the most recent NHS staff survey results, 83% of staff received an appraisal in 2012 however only 36% thought they were well structured.

Royal College of Nursing Policy Director Howard Catton welcomed the proposal. He said it could help improve staff culture if handled correctly.

http://www.hsj.co.uk/news/workforce/nurses-to-get-360-degree-feedback-in-drive-to-improve-appraisals/5057464.article