Excellent results for Trust in NHS survey
The NHS Trust that runs community hospitals and community health and social care services across Exeter, Mid and East Devon ranks better than similar Trusts in nearly three quarters of all indicators, according to a national survey of staff published yesterday (23 February).
When compared to other Trusts that run acute and community services, the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust was rated better than average in 23 of the 32 key findings that make up the NHS Staff Survey for 2015.
The Trust was ranked average in nine areas and was not below average in any.
It also scored highly in overall staff engagement, which covers whether employees would recommend the Trust as a place to work or receive treatment, motivation and the ability to contribute towards improvements.
The five key findings where staff felt the Trust stood out compared to similar Trusts were:
- Ability to contribute towards improvements
- Belief that the Trust provides equal opportunities for career progression or promotion
- Satisfaction with resourcing and support
- Agreeing that their role makes a difference to patients or service users
- Feeling recognised and valued by managers and the organisation
Dr Alison Diamond, chief executive, said: “This is another excellent set of results, after our staff rated us the best Trust in the South West and fourth in the country in 2014.
“The survey showed that our overall staff engagement had further improved since 2014, which is very encouraging especially given the challenges we’ve faced such as the uncertainty over the proposed transfer of community services in our Eastern patch.
“We are delighted that staff continue to feel so positively about working for the Trust.
“We know that when staff enjoy their job, patients receive better and more compassionate care.”
The only two areas where staff experience had declined since 2014, but still rated average, were:
- Percentage of staff having an appraisal in the last 12 months
- Percentage of staff or colleagues reporting their most recent experience of harassment, bullying or abuse
Dr Diamond said: “There is always more we can do to improve the experience of staff and the survey helps us to identify areas to focus on over the next year and beyond.”
The Trust had a response rate of 48%, which was above average when compared to similar Trusts and represented an increase from 45% in 2014.
The full survey results for 2015 can be viewed at www.nhsstaffsurveys.com
