Under half of NHS staff believe their work is valued

Under half – 41 per cent – of NHS workers feel their trust values their work, according to the latest NHS staff survey.

The survey, published today and completed by 255,000 NHS staff, found that 39 per cent of respondents also reported feeling unwell as a result of work-related stress in the past 12 months.

The proportion who would recommend their organisation as a good place to work has decreased to 56 per cent, from 58 per cent in the 2013 survey, and less than a third of staff (29 per cent) reported that senior managers act on feedback from staff.

Seventy four per cent said they are able to make suggestions on how they could improve the work of their team or department, while 79 per cent are satisfied with the support they receive from colleagues, according to the survey.

Unison head of health Christina McAnea said: ‘It is clear that nothing has been done in the past 12 months to ease the pain of health workers.'

'This government has shown no interest in our National Health Service and ministers risk paying a heavy price in May,' she added.

NHS Employers chief executive Danny Mortimer said the variation in staff experience remains a ‘real concern’ and pointed to a staff experience pledge signed by ten national healthcare organisations in December, which includes an aim to encourage better physical and emotional wellbeing for staff.