The King’s Fund responds to the NHS Staff Survey

Commenting on the results of the latest NHS Staff Survey, national NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard metrics, and latest NHS performance figures, Suzie Bailey, Director of Leadership and Organisational Development at The King’s Fund, said: 

‘On a day of major news about the national wiring of the NHS, the results from the NHS Staff Survey reveals what it feels like to be working on the front line. 

‘The findings demonstrate that working in the health service continues to look like an unattractive career, with many NHS staff feeling undervalued and overstretched. 

‘Staff want to provide the best quality of care for their patients but often they are left experiencing burnout, mental distress and exhaustion. While half of respondents said their organisation is committed to helping them balance their work and home life, it is concerning that nearly a third felt they do not have enough energy for family and friends during time away from work. 

‘It is unacceptable that there continues to be a high number of Black, Asian and ethnic minority staff experiencing harassment, bullying or abuse, with 24% experiencing this at the hands of colleagues and 29% experiencing this from the public while at work. Shockingly 1 in 7 of all NHS staff have experienced at least one act of physical violence in the past year from patients and the public. 

‘More positively, there has been an increase in the number of medical and dental staff satisfied with their pay by more than 16 percentage points this year to 48%. This may reflect much of the industrial action being resolved, which had blighted the service in recent years.  

‘The upcoming refresh to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will be a chance for the government to reset how it plans to train, recruit and retain staff. There are also actions the government can take more immediately to improve NHS working conditions. These include mandating the NHS to introduce minimum standards for facilities, expanding working options, ringfencing funding for wellbeing hubs to support staff mental health, and supporting the development of high-quality compassionate and inclusive leaders in health and care.   

‘This snapshot of the experience of NHS staff comes ahead of the government publishing its plans to reform the service. Ministers will be relying on the NHS workforce to actually deliver much of its plans for improvement, and today’s results will be cause for concern.  

On today’s NHS performance figures, Suzie Bailey said: 

‘Separately, the latest NHS performance figures released today show an NHS struggling under high pressure. 95% of beds in hospitals are occupied, 13,700 people are stuck in hospital despite being well enough to be discharged, and 47,600 people waited more than 12 hours to be admitted in busy A&E departments. The evidence today shows just how far off we are from a sustainable and effective health service that delivers for patients.'

Notes to editors

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The King's Fund is an independent charity working to improve health and care in England. We help to shape policy and practice through research and analysis; develop individuals, teams and organisations; promote understanding of the health and social care system; and bring people together to learn, share knowledge and debate. Our vision is that the best possible health and care is available to all.