Friends and Family Test (FFT)
The Friends and Family Test (FFT) is a patient feedback tool available to all who use GP practice services. It is based on a single core question:
“How likely are you to recommend our service to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?”
Practices must also include at least one locally chosen follow-up question to gather additional comments. All feedback is anonymous, and patients have the option to provide free-text responses.
Practices are required to submit the primary question results and any free-text comments to NHS England on a monthly basis, and must also publish the results locally (format is at the practice’s discretion).
The FFT became a contractual requirement for GP practices on 1 December 2014. It was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and reintroduced in April 2022.
Practice Requirements
GP practices must:
- Provide an opportunity for all patients to give anonymous feedback through the FFT, unless inappropriate.
- Use the standard FFT wording and response options.
- Include at least one follow-up question with a free-text option.
- Submit data to NHS England each month in the required format.
- Publish FFT results locally.
Further Guidance
- NHSE FFT Resources – includes guidance on data submission and data packs.
- Submission guidance for GP practices (updated January 2024)
- CQC Mythbuster 16 – FFT (updated Dec 2022)