Recommendation BRIS-64: Create shadowing opportunities for managers and clinicians to understand roles
From Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report, published 18 July 2001.
Recommendation
Greater opportunities should be created for managers and clinicians to ‘shadow’ one another for short periods to learn about their respective roles and work pressures.
Government response
No government response to this recommendation is on the record yet.
Delivery
DHSC and NHS England say in progress (27 February 2026)
Please see our response to Recommendation 50 (Leadership training). Shadowing, buddying and peer support is an increasing focus of the NHS and various resources are available including:
• BMA Guidance on shadowing junior doctors
• Health careers, which encourages shadowing as an entry into the NHS and sets out various tips, with a specific focus on medical
• NHS Leadership Academy resources on peer support
• The NHS Confederation, leading Integration peer Support programme
Site note: DHSC and NHS England's own account of progress, supplied to the Thirlwall Inquiry in September 2024 and printed in the Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). It is not a finding of the Inquiry. Their reviewed extent of implementation reads “Implemented – Ongoing”. Table row: section 6.2 No. 64, PDF page 101.
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Thirlwall Inquiry legal team (15 May 2024)
The Government agreed with this recommendation.
In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health said that the NHS Leadership Centre would ensure that managers and clinicians had more opportunities to learn about their respective roles and work pressures through the Lifelong Learning programme.
Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024). The review does not colour its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green; it leaves the cell uncoloured where a recommendation was rejected, where evidence of implementation was insufficient, or where steps had been taken but implementation was not yet complete. Table row: section 6.2 No. 64, PDF page 93.
Who has spoken
- DHSC and NHS England
Delivery statement - Thirlwall Inquiry legal team
Finding