The annual NHS Staff Survey shows growing pressure on those working in the NHS, but also that the vast majority of staff remain positive about their work and the service they provide.
Over 255,000 staff responded to the confidential survey and its results were published by NHS England today.
Commenting on the survey results, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of the NHS Employers organisation, said:
“Anyone exploring these findings each year will appreciate the tremendous resilience of NHS organisations and their staff. However, the results this year show staff reporting increased pressure because of significant challenges facing the health service.
“The variation in staff experience remains a real concern and in December the major national organisations signed a staff experience pledge, committing to improve this vital area. The NHS welcomes the commitments being made by all the political parties to invest in the NHS, but also accepts that it must do more to involve and engage staff in finding solutions to the challenges facing their services.
"NHS Employers will continue to support NHS organisations with a range of resources including those related to the physical and mental wellbeing of staff, as well as staff engagement and diversity.”
Other key findings include:
- Two thirds (68 per cent) of staff feel able to contribute to improvements.
- Two thirds (68 per cent) of staff would feel safe to raise concerns.
- Staff do feel under greater work pressure (score increased from 3.06 to 3.09 in one year).