Trust among best places to work in NHS

THE Trust that runs Exeter Community Hospital and community health, social care and specialist services in the city has been named in a list of the best places to work in the NHS.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust employs around 4,500 staff at North Devon District Hospital, 17 community hospitals and in community health, social care and specialist teams across half the county.

The Trust is one of 40 acute Trusts to make the list of the Best Places to Work in the NHS for 2015, compiled by flagship publications the Health Service Journal and Nursing Times and independent research firm Best Companies Group.

The list celebrates NHS organisations that have worked hard to promote great staff engagement and create an environment where people can enjoy their job.

The judging panel analysed performance in seven key areas – leadership and planning; corporate culture and communication; role satisfaction; work environment; relationship with supervisor; training, development and resources; and employee engagement and satisfaction.

Earlier this year the Trust was ranked fourth in the country and the best in the South West in the national NHS Staff Survey for 2014.

Dr Alison Diamond, chief executive, said: “To be named one of the best places to work in the NHS, anywhere in the country, is a fantastic achievement for the Trust.

“It recognises what I see every day – staff working as teams and doing their utmost to provide excellent care for our patients.

“We do our best to support our employees and create a positive working environment as we know that when staff enjoy their job, patients receive better and more compassionate care.”