The improved findings revealed in this year’s NHS Staff Survey published today by the Care Quality Commission show that the health service continues to be a place where people want to work.
One of the key findings demonstrates that job satisfaction has never been higher and staff feel engaged and appreciated. Gill Bellord, director for core member services at NHS Employers, said: “NHS organisations recognise that excellent staff engagement is perhaps the most important factor in responding to the economic downturn and the increasing demands on the healthcare system.
”It is particularly encouraging that the NHS Staff Survey shows that staff are increasingly engaged with their organisations. The survey shows two thirds of staff reporting that they feel enthusiastic about their jobs (1) and 90 per cent feeling that their job really makes a difference. Emerging research demonstrates a clear relationship between the quality of staff engagement and excellence in patient care.”
The survey reveals that the levels of physical violence, bullying and harassment are now the lowest that they have ever been (2). However, any forms of physical violence, bullying and harassment are unacceptable and NHS Employers is very pleased that progress is being made in this area. We are continuing to support NHS organisations to promote a climate of openness and dialogue in which staff feel free to raise concerns and this is also reflected in the finding that almost all staff feel able to report errors they witness at work (2).
Although this year’s results are on the whole improved there are some areas where there still needs to be more progress. For example, fewer than half (40 per cent) felt that they were working in a well structured team environment and work pressure felt by staff was ranked at 3.08 (1 = virtually no pressure and 5 = extremely high feelings of work pressure).
Gill Bellord added: “More than anything else over the past twelve months NHS Employers has sought to drive home the message that ongoing emphasis on workforce development is necessary despite financial challenges. It is essential that NHS organisations now build on the success shown in the NHS Staff Survey to meet the future challenges with confidence.”
Other key findings that show strength in staff engagement include:
The survey also showed the best ever appraisal rates which increased by 5 per cent to 69 per cent for the number of staff who had received an appraisal within the last year. Almost a third (31 per cent) said they had a well-structured appraisal and over a half (60 per cent) said they had appraisals with personal development plans.
The number of staff who have an appraisal with personal development plans has increased from 55 per cent to 60 per cent.
Some 81 per cent of staff agreed that they have an interesting job with almost three quarters saying they used flexible working options.
While only 44 per cent felt that there were good opportunities to develop their potential at work, well over three-quarters (79 per cent) of the staff surveyed received job-relevant training, learning or development in the last 12 months.
