Results from the national 2014 NHS Staff Survey have shown that the Royal United Hospital in Bath rates as one of the top 20% of acute trusts in England for ‘staff job satisfaction’.
The NHS Staff Survey is recognised as an important way of ensuring that the views of staff working in the NHS inform local improvements and have the opportunity to contribute to local and national assessments of quality, safety, and delivery of the NHS Constitution.
The survey was completed by over 2,500 members of RUH staff (giving the Trust an engagement score above the national average for acute trusts) and highlights a number of positive findings.
Over 75% of staff recommended the RUH as a place to work and to receive treatment.
The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (known locally as The Min), which became part of the RUH on 1st February 2015, also rated highly in terms of staff job satisfaction (scoring 79%) with 89% of staff recommending the hospital as a place to work and to receive treatment.
Staff ratings also ranked the newly-combined Trusts in the top 20% nationally in relation to:
- Training and development;
- Work related stress;
- Opportunities for career progression and promotion.
RUH Chief Executive, James Scott said: “I am delighted that such a large number of staff responded to the surveys and have expressed such positive views about working for the Trust.
“It is particularly heartening to know that the overwhelming majority of staff would recommend the RUH as a place to work or receive treatment.
“The results from staff at the RNHRD show that, by welcoming The Min into the RUH, we benefit from a dedicated, engaged and motivated workforce who believe and personally invest in the services they provide.
“As an employer, our role is to create an environment in which staff can give their best for patients. Feedback from staff is essential in helping us review how we’re doing. We know that an engaged workforce leads to improved patient care.”
Both sets of survey results highlighted potential for improvement in a number of key areas such as physical violence against staff, the witnessing and reporting of incidents, bullying and harassment from patients, relatives or the public, and staff appraisals.
James continued: “There are improvements to be made in relation to the key areas in the survey highlighted as being of concern to staff.
“Following recommendations made in the recent Francis Report into Whistleblowing, we have already started work towards strengthening the honest and open reporting culture we already have at the Trust and ensuring staff feel confident to report incidents and raise concerns as they happen.”
“I would like to thank all of our staff for continuing to keep a grip on delivering safe, effective and compassionate care for the patients who rely on us.
“Staff continually demonstrate a real commitment to improving services and sustaining the improvements we’ve made”.
