26 March 2024

FHFT has been awarded a National Preceptorship Interim Quality Mark (IQM) in recent weeks. Seen as the national gold standard as set by NHS England, IQM was introduced alongside the new national preceptorship framework for nursing in October 2022. 

The award is a huge achievement for Binita (Bini) Gurung, cross site preceptorship lead, Alvin Roel Nierva, operational matron for preceptorship, and the whole clinical education team, who are the central points of contact and co-ordination for all preceptorship (putting knowledge into practice training) matters within the Trust.  

Responsible for co-ordinating, monitoring and evaluating the preceptorship programmes, as well as developing and reviewing both the programme and policy within the Trust, this IQM award – which is valid for two years - highlights and recognises the high standard of work that the cross site team undertakes. 

Bini, says; “It was quite a process. We had to provide information to NHS England on our preceptorship policy, the content and structure of our programmes, the database and networking resources as well as the portfolios we create to support both the preceptee (student) and preceptor (tutor). All ten mandatory criteria had to be met with a score of 80 per cent and over. The educators and preceptors have worked extremely hard to support our preceptees, and it is highlighting their work which has led to us being awarded the IQM.”  

Alvin, adds; “Receiving the award shows the Trust's commitment to supporting our people by providing a NHSE standard programme for all our newly qualified staff. Currently we are working on making the programme even more inclusive and multidisciplinary, so we can incorporate our AHP colleagues into our preceptorship programme. 

When writing to Frimley Health to acknowledge the award, the national preceptorship team, NHS England, said; “Congratulations to you and your team on your achievement and all the hard work you have put into developing your preceptorship programme.”