To help reduce inequalities and support our staff, the NHS People Plan and the NHS equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) improvement plan recognise staff networks as vital: driving meaningful change and creating organisational cultures where everyone feels they belong.

This toolkit includes useful guidance and resources to help develop your staff networks across the NHS.

NHS England » Developing your NHS staff network

How strategically recognising and rewarding staff with long-service awards can increase employee retention.

Recognising long service is a way of acknowledging the dedication and valuable contribution of employees over the course of their NHS careers.

There are a range of methods NHS organisations use to recognise the significant milestones of their staff, from celebratory events and meaningful gifts to monetary awards.

Long-service awards form part of a crucial employee benefit, especially in the context of addressing workforce challenges. With growing vacancy rates, and low and falling staff satisfaction, it is particularly important to show appreciation for long-serving and valuable staff members.

A simple 'thank you' can create a positive culture of appreciation among employees. NHS organisations can achieve the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan's ambition to attract and retain the workforce needed to deliver improved patient care with the addition of a comprehensive recognition strategy.

Long-service awards for employee retention | NHS Employers

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.

NHS England » Our NHS People Promise

The National Guardians Office has published a review of the 2022 NHS staff survey results, highlighting concerns over staff confidence to speak up.

Review finds decrease in workforce confidence to speak up | NHS Employers

Read how Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust continues work on its commitment to enhance staff recognition and improve its culture.

Staff recognition awards and improving culture | NHS Employers

Staff engagement has been researched in detail over the last few decades and has been proven to have strong links with positive organisational and individual outcomes. Research by the Staff Experience and Engagement team at NHS England recently found that employee engagement components, in particular involvement, have a positive correlation with lower patient mortality, lower sickness levels and lower patient complaints. This follows on from a suite of studies over recent years by academics and the Kings Fund, specific to the health care setting.

NHS England » The National Quarterly Pulse Survey