The Bottom Line
- Most NHS confusion is not clinical—it’s <strong>language + workflow</strong>.
- Learn the “handover verbs”: <strong>review</strong>, <strong>clerk</strong>, <strong>escalate</strong>, <strong>Datix</strong>, <strong>TTO</strong>.
- Your first month improves dramatically when you sound like you know the system.
Why this matters: fluency buys you time and safety
In the NHS, speed often comes from knowing what people mean, not from typing faster. If someone says “please do the TTOs before the board round” and you don’t know the workflow, you lose hours. This dictionary is designed to compress that learning curve.
Core terms you will hear on day one
TTOs = discharge meds (‘To Take Out’). Bleep me = page/call me (often via switchboard). Senior review = a decision-maker sees the patient (registrar/consultant depending on context). Board round = short MDT status review (bed flow, discharges, barriers).
Datix: the NHS safety reflex
<strong>Datix</strong> is commonly used as an incident reporting system. The cultural rule: a Datix is usually about <strong>system learning</strong>, not personal blame. Write it clearly, objectively, and close the loop with your senior when appropriate.
Admin systems that quietly run your life
ESR = Electronic Staff Record (your payroll, payslips, and staff self-service). Switchboard = the operator who can connect you to wards/teams/bleeps. SpR/Reg = registrar. F1/F2/CT/ST = training grades. Clerk = do the full admission assessment.
‘Can you just…’ usually means ‘it’s urgent but I’m delegating’
When a senior says “can you just do X,” translate it as: <strong>time-sensitive</strong> and probably needs an update back. Confirm: “Sure—by when, and do you want me to call you once done?”
Local words: Sparkle and other regional systems
Some terms are local: ‘Sparkle’ is used in some regions as shorthand for an e-learning/portfolio or trust training platform. If you hear a word you don’t recognise, ask: “Is that a system I need an account for?”—you’ll get a practical answer fast.
First-week phrasebook (what to say so people trust you)
1
When you need help
“Hi, it’s Dr ___ on ___ ward. I’m worried about ___ because ___. Can you review within ___ minutes?”
2
When you’re escalating
“I’ve done A/B/C. The vital signs and trajectory are ___. I think the next step is ___—agree?”
3
When you’re handing over
“One-liner, current issue, what’s been done, what needs doing, and what would trigger escalation.”
4
When you’re chasing results
“I’m chasing because it changes disposition today—can we prioritise?”
5
When you’re asking for a senior review
“I need a decision on ceilings/discharge/antibiotics/scan—are you free to review now or at X?”
Practice
Test your knowledge
Apply this concept immediately with a high-yield question block from the iatroX Q-Bank.
SourceNHSBSA: ESR (what it is and what it contains)
Open Link SourceNHS Employers: Information for guardians of safe working hours (exception reporting context)
Open Link