Friends and Family Test Qualitative Research
Ipsos report of the qualitative research undertaken to feed into NHS England's review of the Friends and Family Test
This report presents the findings of qualitative research into the Friends and Family Test (FFT) conducted by the Ipsos Social Research Institute on behalf of NHS England.
Six months after the FFT was introduced for Inpatients and Accident and Emergency (A&E) patients, NHS England carried out a review of the FFT. The review had the following specific purposes:
- To assess the implementation, publication, use and reception of FFT during the first six months of national data collection, focusing on what has worked well and what might be improved;
- To collect and present evidence of best practice across the settings;
- To judge whether the test in its present incarnation matches its original ambitions, and, if necessary, to highlight any changes that would be required to fulfil all of these functions, specifying any associated risks or costs; and
- To ensure that future NHS England guidance on FFT is evidence-based and reflects best practice.
The qualitative research undertaken by Ipsos formed one part of NHS England’s review. It comprised several distinct elements:
- Detailed case studies conducted in nine Trusts incorporating interviews and discussion groups with senior staff, frontline staff, commissioners, patients and the public, as well as a chance to observe the FFT being used in practice;
- 20 telephone and face-to-face depth interviews with experts and other stakeholders; and,
- A structured online feedback form sent out to all 156 NHS/Foundation Trusts in England; 95 responses were received, representing a response rate of 61%.
