Compassion in Practice sets out a vision to embed six values: care, compassion, courage, communication, competence and commitment, known as the Six C’s, throughout the NHS to improve care for patients.

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Actions include:

• recruiting, appraising and training staff according to values as well as technical skill
• regularly reviewing organisational culture and evidence for staffing levels
• doing more to assess patients’ experience
• helping staff make every contact count for improving health and wellbeing

Specific measures include:

• supporting all nurses with evidence and training to make every contact count for improving health and wellbeing
• recommending trust boards carry out and publish reviews of their organisational culture, with feedback from staff and patients
• recommending trust boards publish information on evidence based staffing levels at least every six months with an explanation of how they impact on quality and discussion at public board meetings
• developing new patient experience measures for children, young people and vulnerable adults in all settings including those with dementia; Identifying patient experience measures that can be used between settings and sectors
• developing a new leadership programme for ward managers, team leaders and nursing directors that is based on values and behaviours and the implementation of the 6Cs
• embedding The 6Cs in all nursing and midwifery university education and training
• ensuring that recruitment to university undergraduate programmes is based on values and behaviours, as well as technical and academic skills
• promoting the use of The 6Cs, values and behaviours at all stages of recruitment and appraisal for nurses, midwives and care staff prior to expanding to other staff in the NHS
• working with national organisations to agree stronger arrangements to ensure effective training, recruitment and induction of support workers in health, care and support;
• Developing a national scheme to recognise organisations or teams that are excellent examples of The 6Cs in action.