NHS electronic appraisals to be extended

The NHS Appraisal Toolkit allows doctors to prepare their documentation at both pre- and post-appraisal, keep an “electronic appraisal record" and also share the signed-off forms with their appraisers through a password-protected system.

When the system is expanded on 1 October, it will also include the ability to upload and attach documents to appraisal forms, as well as enhanced usability and accessibility.

The system was developed by the Sowerby Centre for Health Informatics at Newcastle (SCHIN) and is in use within 450 PCTs and trusts throughout England. Scott Hayward, project manager for SCHIN, told E-Health Insider that users have found the electronic appraisal system useful: “Most of the feedback which we get from people is that any electronic thing that meets their needs will be welcome."

As well as the web-based toolkit, the site contains general information and documentation about the NHS appraisal process for staff at any position in the system, and background reading about appraisals in general. Plans for the site in the future include adding further staff grades such as junior doctors and post-graduate medical students, and further reworking of the site according to user feedback.

SCHIN, a not-for-profit limited company, was formed from the Health Informatics department at the University of Newcastle. It is contracted by the DH and owned by the university.

The toolkit can be found at www.appraisals.nhs.uk.