BY BEN KERRIGAN
The annual health service staff survey released indicate a more negative feeling about their jobs this year than last year. According to the survey, staffing levels and a lack of consultation are the biggest concerns staff have about the NHS service. In the biggest survey response in the history of the NHS, 60, 681 out of the 160, 635 staff members completed the survey in a desperate attempt to get their views heard. This is more than a third of the overall staff members, but less than half of the total numbers, leading to questions as to why not enough staff members participate in these surveys.
Of the numbers interviewed, 89% said they were happy to go the extra mile at work when required, and another 85% said they were clear about their duties and responsibilities. High as that figure is, it still begs the question as to why the other 15% are unclear about their duties and responsibilities. 21% did not feel they got the help they needed from their colleagues- a disturbing finding despite the overwhelming majority of 79% who were quite content with receipt of required assistance. Given the importance of the NHS, it is absolutely vital that all staff are supported fully when absolutely necessary. There can be no excuse for any staff to be lacking support, except if they are expected to be able to help themselves in which case they should be relieved from the job if deemed incompetent.
53 % felt it was safe to speak up and challenge the way things are done, meaning that 47% did not feel that way. Any organisation that does not accommodate objections to procedures is running a dictatorship. Those who object do not necessarily have to get their way, but they should be heard and provided with a reasonable explanation as to why the order of things are the way they are. 33 % said there were not enough staff for them to do their job properly, and 28% felt staff were consulted about change at work.
SIGNIFICANT
The report claimed the survey revealed “statistically significant” improvements in one of the 29 questions, and significant deterioration’s in four questions, however the findings are grim and quite disturbing in reality. A relative change of improvement does make it satisfactory. The NHS needs to be seriously overhauled and as a matter of urgency.
IMPORTANT
Health Secretary Shona Robison welcomed the increase in responses to the survey, and said the feedback was “extremely important in letting us know what is going right and where we can make improvements”.
She added: “It is welcome that staff remain committed to their roles, with almost nine out of ten willing to go the ‘extra mile’ at work. It is also promising that so many staff members have confidence and trust in their direct line manager, and get help and support from colleagues when needed.
“However, we know there are challenges to be addressed, in particular making staff feel engaged and involved in the decisions being made within their health board.
“It is vital that we learn from these findings, and I will be expecting all health boards to use their individual survey results to work with staff to bring in changes which will further improve
