The six values in scenario terms
Each value maps onto a recognisable decision pattern:
- Working together for patients — the option that protects the patient outcome, even if it creates work for you.
- Respect and dignity — treat colleagues and patients as individuals; do not talk over either.
- Commitment to quality of care — raise safety or quality concerns early and in writing.
- Compassion — acknowledge distress before moving to process.
- Improving lives — propose the evidence-backed improvement rather than the dramatic one.
- Everyone counts — weigh the whole service's resources, not just your team's convenience.
Worked example
In one of our practice scenarios, a rota gap risks a delayed discharge. The keyed answer combines an immediate escalation that protects the patient with a follow-up that fixes the rota cause; options that hide the gap to avoid blame are keyed lowest. This is our own scenario and our own keying, aligned to the published values — not an NHS item.
Common mistakes
In our practice keying, proportionate escalation and transparent communication are usually stronger than hiding a problem or escalating automatically.
Put it into practice
The fastest way to internalise the format is practice in the same question formats.
Practise NHS-values SJT freeFrequently asked questions
They are set out in the NHS Constitution for England on GOV.UK. The GMTS apply page does not publish them as an assessment marking scheme.
You can use the six published values as context, then review our own practice keying. This is not the employer's scoring key.