12. What is a Critical Friend
“ a trusted person who asks provocative
questions provides data to be examined
through another lens, offers critiques of
another persons work as a friend. A
critical friend takes time to fully
understand the context of the work
presented and the outcomes of that
work”.
Source Costa, A & Kallick, B 1993
13. Critical Friend Credentials
• Trust and respect
• Honest constructive feedback
• Ability to build relationships quickly
• Skilled observer and listener
• Provides a different perspective or view
• Retired Healthcare Professional
• Availability and support
15. Power of Observation
“The most important practical lesson that
can be given to nurses is to teach them
what to observe: what symptoms
indicate improvement; what symptoms
indicate the reverse; which are of
importance…”.
Florence Nightingale 1866
16. Three levels
• Act as a reference group - contact via
email, post or telephone;
• Act as a reference/advisory group or
sounding board for reviewing nursing
and midwifery strategies;
• Act as an observer of care or fresh pair
of eyes within clinical environments
(core team of 8 CF).
17. The first year
• Getting to know you meetings;
• Role development;
• Governance arrangements;
• PDSA (Plan, Do, Study & Act) with 3 critical friends
accompanying Transforming Care team
members completing the monthly ward to
board audits:
– Observations of care;
– Gathering the patient experience;
– Feedback to the clinical team.
18. Critical Friends Versus
Public Member role
• Advisory or reference group for specific nursing
and midwifery strategic developments;
• Links to the successes of the past;
• Maintains local intelligence/knowledge;
• Fresh pair of eyes and ears;
• NHS Knowledge and ability to give constructive
feedback;
• Advocate for BCUHB.
20. Thematic Analysis
I feel I am able
to give a
balanced and
informed
summary of the
data…
I feel I still have
and give
something back
to my
colleagues…
I was heartened
by the pride of
the nursing that
came across …
despite the
challenges
24. Critical Friend Feedback
Its reassuring so much
good work is going
on, on this ward …
Gosh how much
paperwork and
questions the
patients are asked
I enjoy the role and I
feel I am still
contributing to
patient care…
25. BCUHB Role Description
• Evidence of Professional NHS Development;
• Able to share views as an individual and or group
settings;
• Ability to provide constructive balanced feedback
and not allow personal agendas to influence the
role;
• Respect the views of others and treat others with
respect;
• Respect for individual and patient confidentiality;
• Approachable, with good communication skills;
• Able to demonstrate excellent Leadership Skills.
28. The Future
• Critical Friends and Volunteers will be an
integral part of improving;
• Critical Friends hold
us to account to deliver
high quality care;
• Further recruitment.