The majority of NHS staff feel that their workplaces are improving, according to the results of a survey.
Despite financial pressures and public demand on healthcare, staff reported small but measurable improvements in 26 of the 32 key categories, including having confidence to raise concerns about clinical practice, feeling supported by managers and recommending their workplace for employment or receiving care.
More than 423,000 staff were surveyed and responded anonymously.
Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, which supports employers to deliver quality care, said: “Despite incredible pressures on our workforce, their commitment and resilience shines through. Against all the odds, staff are generally feeling better at work and more confident in the care they provide. This is a tribute to them and the teams and managers they work with.
“There are areas of real concern, however. Organisations across the NHS must do more to address bullying and the poorer experience of BME colleagues. Members of the public who abuse our staff must know they will be held accountable for their actions.
“The survey shows that efforts to improve the NHS workplace are being effective. The task going forward is to keep sharing good practice and to keep ensuring national and local leaders listen to staff and provide the support they need to make it through this difficult period.”
Some key findings of the survey, which took place from October to November 2016, include:
• The score (out of five) given by staff for their confidence and security in reporting unsafe clinical practice improved from 3.63 (in 2015) to 3.67 (in 2016).
• The score (out of five) given by staff for receiving support from immediate managers improved from 3.72 (in 2015) to 3.76 (in 2016).
• The score (out of five) given by staff for recommending the organisation as a place to work or receive treatment improved from 3.72 (in 2015) to 3.75 (in 2016).
Industry reaction:
Ruth Thorlby, assistant director of policy at the Health Foundation, said: “The NHS has so far managed to just about cope with increasing demands and shrinking resources, thanks in large part to the commitment of its workforce.
“This year’s staff survey results show welcome signs of improvement, reflecting the hard work that has gone into listening to staff, and recognising the importance of supporting staff to care for patients.
“But continued improvement cannot be taken for granted, given the pressures ahead. These results show that over a third of NHS staff have been unwell in the last 12 months because of work-related stress, and almost half don’t think there are enough staff where they work to do their job properly.”
The 2016 NHS Staff Survey is available to view here.
