National NHS staff survey results highlight positive practices at local NHS Trust

The results of the annual NHS staff survey for 2013 have revealed that staff who work in Calderdale, Kirklees, Barnsley and Wakefield for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are confident they are delivering a high standard of patient care. 

As part of the survey over 203,000 NHS staff across the country gave their opinions. The results, published by the Care Quality Commission will be used to help improve workplaces for staff. 

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation provides mental health, learning disability and community services to local people in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. The Trust also provides some medium secure (forensic) services to the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber.

The results for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust were compared to similar organisations across the country and the Trust came out in the top 20% in the following areas:

• Staff were asked whether they would recommend the Trust as a place to work and whether they would be happy with the standard of care if a friend or relative needed treatment. The score was statistically one of the highest in the country, compared to other similar organisations.
• Staff feeling satisfied with the quality of work and patient care they are able to deliver – 82% of staff felt they were able to deliver work and patient care to a high standard, 5% higher than the national average.
• Work pressure felt by staff – the Trust came in below the national average and was one of the top 20% of organisations in this area.
• Percentage of staff appraised in the last 12 months – 96% of staff received an appraisal during 2013 (the highest nationally) an increase of 5% from last year.

The survey results also indicate areas where the Trust needs to improve.

• 57% of staff received health and safety training in the last 12 months
• 48% of staff had equality and diversity training in the last 12 months (up 9% from last year)
• 27% of staff reported good communications between senior management and staff

Speaking about the results of the survey, Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources and Workforce Development at the Trust said “We are delighted to see that staff would recommend the organisation as place to work or receive treatment. Such recommendations are a testament to the hard work staff put in every day to make the Trust the best organisation it can be.”

“The survey also provides us with helpful information that we can use to continually improve the working lives of staff and consequently provide better care for service users and their carers.”

“The NHS staff survey is invaluable in helping us continue to improve not only the services we provide, but the environment staff work in.”