A survey of more than 423,000 NHS staff has shown their workplaces are improving, despite the huge financial pressures and public demand.
Responding anonymously to the annual NHS Staff Survey, staff reported 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.
The score (out of 5) 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 rating given by staff for receiving support from immediate managers improved from 3.72 to 3.76, while the score 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.
‘Despite incredible pressures on our workforce, their commitment and resilience shines through,’ said Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers. ‘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.
However, despite the progress made, some areas still require improvement. Almost half (47%) of the staff surveyed reported that there are not enough staff at their organisation for them to do their jobs properly. This has led to 59% working unpaid overtime each week as they fill the gaps in staffing levels. This situation affects the health of staff, with one third of staff (36.7%) feeling unwell due to work-related stress. Additionally, 14.9% had experienced violence from patients.
‘This is another reminder for the Government of how NHS staff across the board are straining to hold things together. NHS staff are its backbone and the Government cannot hope to keep getting by on their goodwill,’ said Janet Davies, chief executive of the RCN. ‘The Government must give the NHS the money it needs to keep patients safe and wards staffed at the right level.