On the up: NHS Staff Survey results demonstrate further improvements

The NHS Staff Survey runs every year from September and November and asks a series of questions to understand how employees feel. All questions are the same regardless of the organisation, allowing for comparison between organisations and sectors.

This year, 45% of North East Ambulance Service colleagues took the time to complete the survey and have their say about what it’s like to work for the organisation.

This year’s results show improved morale generally, with more colleagues recommending NEAS as a place to work and the care provided by the organisation. Fewer colleagues are thinking of leaving.

There were also improvements in the following areas:

• More colleagues report feeling motivated
• More colleagues feel recognised and rewarded for their work and feel able to suggest improvements or raise concerns.
• More colleagues feel there are opportunities to develop their career at NEAS. There was also an increase in how many colleagues feel able to achieve a good work/life balance and ask about flexible working.
• All questions relating to team working improved, including all questions relating to line managers.

Chief executive, Helen Ray, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the care we provide to the North East public. We know we can’t do that without looking after the people providing that care, so it’s great to see this year’s results show a positive impact from the improvements we are making as a service. More of our workforce would recommend our organisation as a place to work and for the care we provide.  Overall, we are also seeing an improvement in staff morale and health and wellbeing.

“Since these results were collected in the latter half of last year, we have made significant movement on a number of projects aimed at improving colleagues’ experiences at work, including developing career progression opportunities and supporting our colleagues in getting a better work/life balance.

“That work hasn’t stopped – we recognise there is still plenty of work for us to do and we remain committed to continually improving our organisation for the benefit of our colleagues and the patients we serve.

“As I pass on the leadership baton for this organisation to your next chief executive, I retire knowing that we have made incredible progress and that this work will continue long into the future.”