Introduction
Wessex LMCs have recognised the value of Practice/Business Managers to General Practices within Wessex and have supported an initiative to develop a system of appraisal for them.
The Process
The Practice Manager Supporter scheme and the linked appraisal scheme has been based on the scheme in Scotland developed by Marion Foster who said:
“Over the past 2 decades, there have been greater expectations and demands on the Practice Manager and their professionalism, capabilities, knowledge and skills. This has been driven by the increased awareness of the need to improve quality across health care.
If Practice Managers are to meet the challenges of the ever-changing NHS, they have to be more competent than ever before and have the knowledge and skills to deal with the quantity, chaos and complexity of information relevant to the Practice Manager’s eclectic role and responsibilities.
There are concerns about information overload and the fear of “not knowing what you don’t know” and anxiety of “knowing what you don’t know” and not knowing how or where to find the information or someone with the knowledge. In this profession, “Ignorance is bliss” is not a wise state to be in.
Effective Practice Managers and Leaders don’t have to know “more stuff”, but they do need to know which “stuff” matters. They also need to develop Leadership Wisdom, which is not a “mental encyclopaedia of facts”. According to Meacham (1983) Wisdom is the awareness of the limits of one’s knowledge. Wisdom has the humility to recognise that the “more one knows the more one knows that one doesn’t know” and recognises that learning is not confined to specific places and times in our lives but embraces self-motivated, lifelong learning.
“Learning is the best of all wealth; it is easy to carry, thieves cannot steal it, the tyrants cannot seize it; neither water nor fire can destroy it; and far from decreasing, it increases by giving.” The Naladiyar (Tamil text 400AD)
The Value of an Appraisal
It is very important that it is recognised from the outset that this appraisal process is not to replace a performance review. Appraisal is for reflection on the Manager’s work and approach, it is to help identify areas for improvement and development and to demonstrate areas where improvement and development has already been made.
If a Practice would like to use some of the evidence from the appraisal to form part of a performance review, then, with the appraisee’s permission, the summary of the appraisal and the personal development plan agreed with the appraiser can form useful evidence for this review.
Getting Started with your Appraisal
Please contact Louise Greenwood or visit our PM Supporter page to contact a PM Supporter directly. They will take it from there – you won’t regret it!
The cost is £250 for any appraisal booked before 31st August 2026 (this is half price)
Read more about the positive effects of having a peer appraisal below
Feedback from PM Appraisees
“Having been slightly sceptical how this would work I can honestly say I was really pleased with the process, the appraiser and the appraisal on the day. You definitely need to be honest with your preparation work, especially reflections and the appraisal will only be as good as the information you give to the appraiser so spend enough time on this to make it complete and worthwhile. I would recommend this to all Practice Managers and wish to continue with this again next year.”
“For the first time in my life, I looked forward to an appraisal. To be able to have the time and opportunity to think purely about me was incredible. We get so bogged down with things that it’s sometimes very difficult to see the way forward, my appraiser told me to turn around and look at the path I’ve come along before I do anything. It was a really useful, positive experience and I would definitely recommend this to other PM’s”
“It was a valuable tool to look at what my role is and where I am succeeding as well as failing. My appraiser helped me to look at how I work and how I could make changes to improve my outcomes. I enjoyed and valued the experience”
“Appraisal was brilliant! Just what I needed. Stopped me spinning and really challenged and made me think about what it is that I wanted and needed to do over the next year and beyond. Came out feeling reinvigorated about my role and what I can offer”
