Findings of the sixth annual survey of NHS staff show a decline in the number of workers who experienced bullying, harassment or abuse by patients or their relatives, while nine out of 10 felt they “made a difference” for patients.
Fewer staff said they experienced work-related stress in the past year, down to 28% in 2008 from 33% in 2007. In addition, many more NHS staff also said they were trained in infection control and that hand-washing materials were always available when they need them. On a less positive note, staff also said that they wanted to provide a high standard of care but many felt there was “not enough time or staff”. Eighty-three per cent of staff were “satisfied” with the standard of care they provided, but 23% were not “personally pleased”. Forty-seven per cent said there was “not enough staff to do the job properly” – although this was an improvement on 2007 when 51% reported this. While staff felt their job was rewarding and made a difference, they also said they did not feel “valued by their Trust” and that senior managers acted on their feedback. Believed to be one of the largest surveys of staff in the world, the 2008 NHS Staff survey questionnaires were completed between October and December by 160,000 workers from all 390 NHS Trusts.
